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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?

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Cool Season Cover Crops

Phacelia. Photo by Janet Gilmore
Phacelia. Photo by Janet Gilmore
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.

Get Ready to Plant California 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 web page, you’ll find inspiration and resources to help you get started and get planting. Check our All Events events for seed starting classes for natives and more. Get the basics on planting wildflowers here.

Start Planning Your Fall Garden

Photo by Ann Gahagen
Photo by Ann Gahagen
As you're enjoying summer's bounty, it's time to start planning your cool season veggie garden. August and September are the ideal months to seed fall and winter crops such as beets, cabbage, broccoli, peas, kale, spinach, lettuce and much more. Find your microclimate (hot, sunny, foggy) and then consult the appropriate planting calendar to find which vegetables you can start by seed as well as seedlings you can plant.

 

Support Our Local Bees

Female sweat bee. Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey.
Female sweat bee. Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey.
California is home to over 1600 native bees. These hardworking insects are vital to a thriving ecosystem, but they are under threat from habitat loss, pesticide use and other stressors. To support our native bees, make sure your garden includes a mix of native plants that flower from late winter into the fall. Since a majority of native bees live in the ground, provide areas of bare soil or ground that is lightly mulched or covered with a thin layer of leaves. And do not use insecticides, particularly neonicotinoids. To learn more about some of our native bees, click here. For a list of bee-friendly native plants, visit this site.

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Publications
  • CoastsideFeb2024Cover
    Starting from Scratch: The Miracle of Seeds

    Growing your own plants from seed has a lot of advantages: more variety, less cost and getting a head start on the growing season are just a few. Practicality aside, it's just plain miraculous to grow plants from seeds. The process of putting hard, dry,...

  • Coastside Cover Jan 2024
    A New Year in The Garden: Inspirations for 2024

    It's January and, although it may be cold and damp, the days are getting longer by a few seconds each day—just enough additional daylight to stir a gardener's blood. While plants and soil are taking their winter rest, it's a great time for us...

  • Coastside Cover Dec 2023
    The Rain Garden: A Simply Elegant Solution to Stormwater Pollution

    Last winter's epic rainstorms have caused many of us to think about what we can do to mitigate the impact of heavy downpours on our communities. As it happens, the impervious surfaces that keep us dry and mud-free (our homes, patios, driveways, etc.)...

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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 Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum 10/6/2024
Lyngso Zoom Series: Rose Propagation 10/9/2024
Master Gardener Education Table at the Serramonte Farmers' Market 10/10/2024
Houseplants 10/12/2024
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