Featured Article

San Mateo County Fair

San Mateo Event Center

1346 Saratoga Drive

San Mateo, CA 94403

June 1-9, 2024, 11:00am-10:00pm

Join the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties as we celebrate beneficial insects and pollinators and the plants that love them. The Master Gardener information table will be open from 12:00pm-3:00pm on June 1-2 and June 5-9, 2024, and is located in the northeast corner of the Expo Hall. In addition to the opportunity to talk with a Master Gardener, there will be mask-making activities for children. Topics for the information table will include trees, native plants, climate change, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), soil, and roses. For Master Gardener dates and times visit our website, and for general information about the fair visit the San Mateo County Fair website.

Checklists for

June/July/August

UC Master Gardeners

Find information for the current season, or view other seasonal checklists using the left panel of our main website.

Dealing with Pests: Integrated Pest Management

UC Master Gardeners

Collective Roots Community Garden

1785 Woodland Ave.

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

June 1, 2024, 10:00am-11:30am

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is a sustainable approach to pest control. Unlike conventional pest control methods which rely on chemical pesticides, IPM integrates multiple approaches to minimize pest damage while also minimizing risks to human health and the environment. The key principles, and general and specific controls will be discussed. Registration is required.

Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum in Central Park

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

June 2, 2024, 12:00pm-3:00pm

Come anytime between 12:00-3:00pm for this walk-in plant clinic. UC Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants in clear plastics bags for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified. Registration is not required.

Caring for Your Garden Tools

UC Master Gardeners

Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center

1500 Purisima Creek Road

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

June 3, 2024, 1:30pm-3:00pm

A regular maintenance routine keeps your garden tools in good working order and helps them last longer. Tools not only need to be sharp, but also clean and sterile. Tools that are exposed to plants or soil with bacterial, fungal or insect infestations can spread those problems throughout the garden. It only takes a few minutes after each gardening session to take care of your tools and protect your garden the next time they are used. Registration is required.

All About Herbs and Edible Flowers

UC Master Gardeners

Flowercraft Garden Center

550 Bayshore Boulevard

San Francisco, CA 94124

June 8, 2024, 10:00am-11:00am

Discover new gardening excitement and learn the basics of growing, harvesting and using culinary herbs and edible flowers. Start your plants from seeds, cuttings, transplants and divisions; integrate your herbs in your landscapes, vegetable gardens and containers; maintain your plants with sustainable methods; and harvest your herbs for maximum flavor. Let’s have fun while sharing many ideas to use your fresh and preserved herbs. Registration is not required.

Houseplant Basics

UC Master Gardeners

San Francisco Botanical Garden - Bookstore

1199 9th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94122

June 9, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm

This talk touches on topics including what to look for when shopping for houseplants, how to care for your houseplants at home, managing pests and diseases, and other houseplant challenges. Registration is required.

Pests in the Garden

UC Master Gardeners

Civic Garden Club of San Carlos

737 Walnut Street

San Carlos, CA 94070

June 9, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a sustainable approach to pest control. Unlike conventional pest control methods which rely on chemical pesticides, IPM integrates multiple approaches to minimize pest damage while also minimizing risks to human health and the environment. The key principles, and general and specific controls will be discussed. Registration is required.

Gardening for Pollinators

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Building Materials

Zoom Series

June 12, 2024, 1:00pm-3:00pm

What are the basic needs of bees, butterflies and hummingbirds and how can you provide those requirements? What are their favorite plants and flowers? Learn how to garden to increase the desirability of your environment. Join us for a fast-paced class that covers everything you need to know about attracting pollinators to your yard, be it large or small. Registration is required

Growing Vegetables and Herbs in Containers

UC Master Gardeners

Daly City Library, Westlake Library

275 Southgate Avenue

Daly City, CA 94015

June 20, 2024, 1:00pm-2:00pm

Learn how to grow a variety of vegetables, herbs and even fruit on a patio, balcony or any small space using containers. You will learn about the types of containers to use, which plants to grow for your microclimate, soil needs and watering options. Registration is not required.

Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum in Central Park

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

July 7, 2024, 12:00pm-3:00pm

UC Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions from general information to advice about specific problems. Bring samples of your problem plants in clear plastics bags for better diagnosis. If you suspect insect damage, try to include some of the insects so they can be correctly identified. No registration is required.

Our Mission Statement: To extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of San Mateo and San Francisco Counties, guided by UC Agriculture and Natural 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.

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.

 UC Master Gardener volunteers are ready help you and your garden. Have a question about gardening? Have a pest problem? Curious about what will grow well in your region? Submit your inquiry online. Or visit the Master Gardener Helpline by phone, email, on the web, or in person. For more information visit our website.