Peace & Unity Celebration

Visitacion Valley Greenway

The UC Master Gardeners provided a gardening informational table at Peace & Unity Celebration on August 22, 2022, at the Children's Play Garden in the Visitation Valley Greenway. It was a very well attended family event with music, art and nature, a puppet show, dog costume contest, clowns, beekeepers, refreshments, and lots of children. Master Gardeners were available to answer questions, and provide suggestions. Read more.

Autumn in Your Garden

September/October/November Checklists

UC Master Gardeners

View seasonal checklists from our main website. From the header bar, select "Resources" then select the season of your interest from the dropdown list. For the current season, read more.

School Garden Leaders Workshop

UC Master Gardeners Gardening Education Center

2495 South Delaware Street

San Mateo, CA 94403

September 10, 2022, 9:00am-12:00pm

Come to this in-person workshop at the beautiful Gardening Education Center to learn and share ideas. Topics covered include best plants for school gardens, third and fourth grade curriculum, and plant propagation for class projects. The workshop is open to residents or schools in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties. A workshop fee of $20 is requested to support the UC Master Gardener Program. Registration required.

San Mateo Arboretum Society Plant Clinic

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum Kohl Pumphouse

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

September 11, 2022, 11:00am-2:00pm

Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified.  Read more.

Houseplant Basics

UC Master Gardeners

Zoom and In- Person Hybrid Presentation

September 11, 2022, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Learn the benefits of houseplants, how to plan before you purchase, shopping for plants, fertilizing and providing nutrients, pests, diseases, and other houseplant challenges. Registration required.

What Went Wrong in my Summer Veggie Garden and How to Fix It for Next Year

UC Master Gardeners

Zoom Presentation

September 14, 2022, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Gardening can be fickle and full of learning opportunities. Things go wrong even for experienced gardeners, such as zucchini plants produce no fruit, tomatoes have rotten bottoms, powdery mildew shows up everywhere, and the list goes on and on. Registration required.

San Carlos Library Native Plant Garden Tours

UC Master Gardeners

San Carlos Library

610 Elm Street

San Carlos, CA 94070

Every third Sunday until October 2022 the UC Master Gardeners will be offering free tours at the San Carlos Native Plant Habitat Garden & Herb Garden from 1:00-4:00pm. No registration is required. Read more.

Divisadero Farmers Market in San Francisco

UC Master Gardeners

1377 Fell Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

Every third Sunday; 9:00am-1:00pm

The UC Master Gardeners have partnered with the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, and will provide guidance on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and science-based gardening practices, answer questions about garden pests, planting times, and best varieties for San Francisco's diverse microclimates. Look for our table at the farmers market, and also enjoy a ton of delicious food to eat! Read more.

Lawn Replacements

California Native Plant Society (CNPS)

Webinar

September 1, 2022, 5:30pm-6:30pm, and

October 6, 2022, 5:30pm-6:30pm

As drought conditions intensify across the state, CNPS is here to help you transition away from water-thirsty lawns. Experts will dive into the benefits of replacing existing lawns with California native plants, offer up plant suggestions, and leave you with practical tools to help you get started on the process of turning your lawn into a water-wise oasis where native plants thrive. Registration required.

To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives." Follow us on our website, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or YouTube channels.

PLANT PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TOOL

Choose the affected plant from photos displayed, click on the photo, remove any selections that do not apply, click on the plant names, and continue to filter selections to view the results for a possible diagnoses. Learn more.

GARDENING RESOURCES

Select links to access gardening resources, California Backyard Orchard, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), publications, and finding a local Master Gardener program.  Learn more.

ARBORETUM ALL-STARS

Do you need help picking plants for your sustainable home garden? Selecting from the “Arboretum All-Stars” list is an easy way to start making “green” choices for your great looking garden. Arboretum All-Stars are top plants recommended by the horticultural staff of the UC Davis Arboretum. They thrive in California’s Mediterranean climate and have qualities that make them great choices for sustainable home gardens. Use a searchable plant database to pick the perfect All-Star for your garden conditions. For more information, view their website.

NATIVE PLANT RESOURCES

Looking for plants native to California that are not only pretty but are pollinators and drought resistant? A few resources are: Xerces Society, California Native Plant Society, and Calflora, Or try a native plant database for plants within your zip code. This website will help you find the best native plants specifically for your area that attract butterflies and moths and the birds that feed on their caterpillars, based on the scientific research of Dr. Douglas Tallamy and Research Assistant Kimberley Shropshire.

CALIFORNIA INVASIVE PLANT COUNCIL

Browse the website to see all plants on the California Invasive Plant Council inventory, including both invasive plants and “watch” species. Clicking on the scientific name will take you to the Plant Profile where you will find links to more information on the plant.

 Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region? Ask a Master Gardener by email, and provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:  

1. Name
2. City of residence/zip code
3. Email
4. Phone, best time to call
5. Description of problem/ question -- for plant the type/age of plant, what damage/problem looks like (include location, sun exposure, irrigation type, fertilization, insecticide application)
6. Please attach photos, if available (overall plant, views of pest, leaves, etc.)

Also, you can call our Helpline at (650) 276-7430 or visit a Master Gardener Helpline located in San Francisco, Redwood City, or Half Moon Bay. For address information and hours of operation, visit our website.