IN THE GARDEN

Things to Do in the Garden

• Rake leaves and twigs to discourage pests and disease.
• Remove weeds in your garden before they flower and set seed so the population remains manageable. If you still have areas of wet soil, take care not to compact the area while weeding.
• For continued weed suppression on paths and walkways, lay down cardboard on weeded areas, then cover with several inches of woodchips.
• For planted areas, or preparing fallow beds, suppress weeds while amending your soil by adding compost and mulch to help retain moisture, and/or sheet mulch. Keep mulch at least 6" away from tree trunks and plant stems. Read UCANR publication Mulching for Landscapes and this guide to applying mulch. 

• Local planting schedules are listed in the Resources section.
• If you're interested in starting tomatoes, peppers and eggplants from seed, read this presentation. The class video is available on our class resources page: Growing Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplants from Seed. Includes recommended varieties which do well in our area.
• Transplant perennial edibles such as artichokes, rhubarb and asparagus crowns.
• Plant cool-season veggies such as greens, Swiss chard, lettuce, and brassicas (including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kales).
• Plant cool-season herbs such as fennel and dill. Cilantro can be planted directly from seed in beds.
• Plant peas, beets, radishes and carrots from seed directly in beds.
• If you are interested in growing potatoes, order them now and plant them by mid-March.
• Plant bare root fruiting vines, such as blackberries and raspberries when the soil is able to be worked without compacting the soil.

• Plant cool season annual flowers, such as pansies. nasturtiums, foxgloves and sweet peas.
• Transplant California wildflowers and poppies, but take care to set them out on a cooler day.

• A deciduous fruit tree maintenance schedule is available here (PDF). Includes tips for pruning and dormant spray schedule.
• Dormant season treatments are important since they will not kill beneficial insects. One spray controls many orchard pests. With our variable weather, one way to adjust is to watch fruit trees for bud break. Bud break occurs when new buds begin to open. These buds may open to become leaves, flowers, or twigs. Between bud break but before they blossom, apply a final dormant oil spray. Do not spray when the tree has leaves, which can experience leaf burn
• Note that winter pruning encourages growth. Do not prune apricot or cherry trees in winter.
• Pick moldy or damaged fruit on and below the tree and throw away diseased leaves to minimize the chance of pests and diseases overwintering in your garden, which can affect next year's harvest.
• It's not too late to plant bare root fruit and nut trees, though wait until you can work the soil without compacting it or otherwise compromise soil structure. Here is a fruit tree selection and planting guide from UC Santa Cruz Center for Agroecology
• Note that winter pruning encourages growth. Do not prune apricot or cherry trees in winter.
• Here is a guide to fertilizing citrus trees. Citrus trees should be fertilized now and then again in the spring. Citrus in containers generally require less fertilization.

• Reusing planting containers? Wash with mild soap and water to clean. Disinfect planting containers with a 10% bleach solution, meaning 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.
• Managing pests: We encourage Integrated Pest Management, ongoing strategies to manage pest damage. Direct, regular observation is a good practice. For example, carefully check kale, cabbages and broccoli for aphids or caterpillar activity. Take a flashlight tour of your garden at night to catch slugs, snails and other critters you might not see otherwise! 
• Remove diseased plant material (or discard in your green waste can) to keep your garden as disease free as possible. Do not add diseased plant material to your home compost or leave them in your garden beds. Some pests and diseases can overwinter.
• Make repairs and seasonal adjustments to your irrigation system.
• If you need help determining how to deal with pests or disease, you can submit a help line request, with photos, if possible.

CLASSES & EVENTS

Healthy soil is the foundation of any productive, thriving garden. UC Master Gardeners Delise Weir & Deborah Moser will discuss how and why to improve soil health in your yard and food garden. 

This class will offer a basic understanding of soil science and the importance of the microbiotic life under our feet. Learn a few easy-to-apply, practical gardening techniques that provide optimal conditions for enhancing and sustaining biotic life in the soil to improve soil structure, make essential nutrients more biologically available to plants and facilitate a foundation that maintains moisture in the soil during drought while improving drainage during rain events. 

We’ll also discuss how to remediate soil affected by flooding.

UC Master Gardeners Debra Stone and Suzanne Cooke will introduce you to some simple techniques that encourage healthy, vigorous, and beautiful roses. They’ll talk about summer and winter pruning, as well as basic watering, mulching, and fertilizing, followed by a discussion of rose disorders and pests and how you can avoid them.

Debra and Suzanne will also be teaching two Hands-On Rose Pruning Workshops on March 4 at San Juan Bautista Historical Park. In-person workshops are limited to 30 attendees.

Hands-on Rose Pruning Workshops
(Two Workshops Available)

Do you want to put into practice what you learned in the Basic Rose Care virtual class? Bring your gloves and clippers for a hands-on rose pruning demonstration at San Juan Bautista Historical Park rose gardens.

After a brief demonstration and orientation, you’ll join UC Master Gardeners Debra Stone and Suzanne Cook in the rose gardens for an opportunity to practice your new-found pruning skills. 

Do you have some potted roses that need some TLC? Bring them, too, and Suzanne will show you how to prune for health and vigor. 

Each 90-minute workshop will be conducted outside and limited to 30 attendees. Pre-registration is required, as we expect this popular workshop to fill quickly.

Gardening Resources