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Is your organization looking for a speaker for an upcoming event?

Are you a San Mateo or San Francisco County resident with an interest in science-based horticulture and sustainable gardening practices, and a desire to share your knowledge and skill with the public as a volunteer in your community?

Become a Master Gardener Volunteer

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Giving Tuesday is November 28! 

Giving Tuesday is a 24-hour global phenomenon of gratitude and generosity and it’s also a great opportunity to make a real difference right in your own community.

To find out how we've spent over 14,000 volunteer hours to this year, and how to donate, please see our Giving Tuesday web page.

Thanks for your support!

A Frequent Visitor on Cole Crops

Image source: Unsplash, Harald Arlander
Image source: Unsplash, Harald Arlander
Have you seen this distinctive butterfly flitting about your garden? It’s the adult cabbage butterfly of the imported cabbageworm. The larvae (caterpillars) enjoy feeding on the leaves of cole crops such as broccoli, cauliflower, kohlrabi and, of course, cabbage. See this article for details about Cabbageworm description and management.

The Hidden Truth About Landscape Fabric

Landscape fabric, Photo by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Landscape fabric, Photo by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
Before rolling out landscape fabric to keep weeds at bay, consider the effects on your soil and plants. Landscape or “weed blocking” fabric, usually made of plastic or polyester, has varying degrees of permeability. Over time, holes in the fabric get clogged, preventing the movement of water, oxygen and carbon dioxide between the soil and the air. This starves the microbial life in your soil, which in turn breaks down the nutrient cycling between these organisms and your plants. To learn more, see Landscape Fabric: A Cautionary Tale.

Leave the Leaves

Dry leaves, Photo by Janet Gilmore
Dry leaves, Photo by Janet Gilmore
It’s fall and the leaves are falling. Instead of raking or blowing, use the free mulch to protect your soil and the living organisms in it. The leaves also will help to suppress weeds, prevent erosion, and provide a winter home for many insects and invertebrates. As the leaves break down, they will feed the organisms living in the soil. If the leaves are diseased, remove and dispose of them in your curbside compost bin.

Get ready to plant CA natives

Sage, Monkeyflower and Yarrow. Photo by Cathrin Callas
Sage, Monkeyflower and Yarrow. Photo by Cathrin Callas
Fall is the best time to plant most California natives. Cooler weather and (we hope) rain get them off to a good start by helping them grow deep roots – perfect for seeds or transplants. Many nurseries and native plant groups have fall plant sales. In our introductory California Native Gardening page, you’ll find inspiration and resources to help you get started and get planting. Check our Events page for seed starting classes for natives and more.

Cool Season Cover Crops

Photo: Lacy Phacelia with honeybee (USDA, public domain)
Photo: Lacy Phacelia with honeybee (USDA, public domain)
If you’re taking a break this fall and winter after growing summer veggies, then plant a cover crop to enrich and protect your soil as well as to attract beneficial insects. Choose a variety of cool season cover crop seeds, such as flowers, grasses and a legume, for sowing in early fall. See Cover Crops in the Home Garden for more.

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Publications
  • Coastside November2023
    The Changing American Landscape - Sustainable Grass Alternatives

    What is a lawn? For many of us, those traditional squares of lush, green turf grass have not only been a part of the landscape, but also an icon of our American culture for generations. A manicured lawn symbolized prosperity and respectability. Learning...

  • Coastside Oct 2023
    The Wonder of Fibonacci in our Gardens

    Enjoyment of the world around us and in our gardens is a deep-rooted and multifaceted aspect of the human experience. The serenity of a well-maintained and organized green space that includes vibrant colors of blooming flowers, branching of...

  • CoastsideCover Sept 2023
    When It Rains: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s Troubled Waters

    Last winter's storms were unprecedented. The volume and intensity of rainfall turned creeks and streams into rushing torrents that overflowed their banks and flooded nearby areas. Gutters and drains couldn't handle the flow and turned streets into...

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Advice to Grow By...Ask Us!

UC Master Gardener volunteers are ready to help you and your garden. Have a question about gardening? Ask a Master Gardener

Calendar
Event Name Date
Master Gardener Education Table at the Serramonte Farmers' Market 12/7/2023
Master Gardener Information Table at Gifts at the Garden 12/16/2023
Master Gardener Education Table at the Divisadero Farmers' Market 12/17/2023
Master Gardener Information Table at Gifts at the Garden 12/17/2023
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