Master Gardener Monthly Newsletter
February 2021
Featured Articles
Spring Gardening Classes
UC Master Gardeners

Starting in February and ending in April 2021, five spring gardening classes will be offered by the San Mateo & San Francisco Counties UC Master Gardeners. Topics include planning a year-round garden, caring for tomato seedlings and other warm weather crops, planting a vegetable garden, growing herbs, and good/bad bugs on edible plants. The first class starts on Feburary 12, 2021, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Continue to check our calendar for upcoming classes, and register!
Online Classes, Videos & More
February Checklist
Grow Organic Peaceful Valley

February is the precursor to spring in many places, so it's a good time to start planning and prepping your garden. Even though it's still a little bit cold, February is a great time for getting slow growing vegetables and cold hardy plants ready for your spring garden. View video.
Living Soil: A Documentary for All of Us
Soil Health Institute

Our soils support 95 percent of all food production and by 2060 our soils will be asked to give us as much food as we have consumed in the last 500 years. It’s time we changed everything we thought we knew about soil. View video.
Rose Pruning
San Mateo Arboretum
UC Master Gardeners
January 10, 2021, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Learn how to shape your rose bushes to encourage beautiful, profuse flowering with winter pruning and winter proper care. Discussion will cover equipment, safety in the garden and principles of pruning as well as demonstrating rose care techniques. Registration required.
Citrus Tree Care
Lyngso Garden Materials, Inc.
UC Master Gardeners
January 13, 2021, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Everyone should have at least one citrus in their landscape. Learn how trees will thrive in your area, how and where to plant them, common problems and diseases, and about the Huanglongbing disease and the threat it poses. Registration required.
Plant Clinic
UC Master Gardeners
February 7, 2021, 11:00am-12:30pm

Have a plant, pest or gardening question? Ask a San Mateo & San Francisco Counties UC Master Gardener at a virtual plant clinic. Please email your questions, along with any helpful photos. In addition to submitted questions, panelists will invite live questions from attendees, time permitting. If you don’t have a question, we invite you to attend and tune in for some informative and lively garden talk. Registration required.
Seed Starting - Food Growing Forum
UC Master Gardeners
February 14, 2021, 3:00pm-4:00pm

Join the Food Growing Forum given by the Napa County UC Master Gardeners on the second Sunday of each month from January through November 2021. The Master Gardeners will discuss seasonal vegetable and food growing topics, and answer your questions. Focus topics will change each month and you are welcome to join the discussion with any food-growing related questions. Check out their monthly calendar and select an event. Registration required.
Seed Catalogs

Now is the time to plan your garden and select your seeds. Various companies offer seed catalogs such as Seed Savers Exchange, Johnny's Selected Seeds, Redwood City Seed Company, Territorial Seed Company, and many more. Research the internet to find seed companies that cater to your microclimate.
How to Start Beet Seeds in Containers
Joe Lamp'l Videos and Podcasts

Not only is it possible to start beet seeds in containers, it can also lead to better results. Beets are one of those crops that you always hear must be direct-sown into the garden. View video.
Gardening Resources
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.
Ask A Master Gardener!
Do you need help with your garden? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region?


COVID-19 Update
Due to the “Shelter in Place” order issued by all Bay Area counties, including San Mateo and San Francisco, the Master Gardeners are working remotely, effective March 17, 2020. All questions can be directed via email.

Please provide the following information to facilitate a prompt response:

1.   Name
2.   City of residence
3.   Email
4.   Phone, best time to call
5.   Description of problem/question -- for plant or pest problems, please attach photo(s)

Since the Bay Area “shelter in place” requirements have kept many of us at home, gardening in your own backyard has become much more popular! We are seeing an increased interest at the Helpline from both new and established gardeners. It is fun to see many new gardeners asking for advice with questions such as “What do I do with these raised vegetable beds? ”and “How do I start a vegetable garden when I know nothing about gardening?” During the first 30 days of our “shelter in place,” we have had 147 helpline questions, with 17% of them asking about the Spring Garden Market. Many, many thanks to all of our Helpline Volunteers who are working the Helpline remotely and keeping our clients happily gardening!


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