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Spring Garden Market and Educational Fair -- Save the Date!

San Mateo County Event Center, Redwood Hall

2495 South Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA

Free Admission • Free Parking • Pay by Credit Card, Cash or Check

April 13, 2024, 9:00am-1:00pm

Stay tuned to hear more about the great plants and educational activities planned for the 2024 Spring Garden Market. See the Spring Garden Market webpage for details. 

Checklists for

December/January/February

UC Master Gardeners

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

Fruit Tree Grafting in Your Garden

UC Master Gardeners

Collective Roots Community Garden

1785 Woodland Avenue

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

February 3, 2024, 10:00am-12:00pm

Winter is the perfect time to learn how to graft fruit trees. Want to put new life into old trees? Grafting new wood onto a mature tree is a great way to change varieties of fruit and take advantage of established rootstock. Registration is required.

Growing Orchids - San Francisco Climate

MG Master Gardeners

Noe Valley Library

451 Jersey Street

San Francisco, CA 94114

February 3, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Learn about cool, temperate and tropical zone orchids. Which type is good for you? Get to know cool growing orchids for San Francisco. Discover how to successfully re-pot your orchid, water, feed and get them to re-bloom, along with methods for dealing with common pests and diseases. Registration is not required.

All About Growing Microgreens

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum Society

101 Ninth Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

February 4, 2024, 1:00pm-2:30pm

Learn about the many varieties available to grow in your home, the differences between microgreens and sprouts, and all of the details on how to get started. Included will be many ideas on how to incorporate them into all of your meals. It only takes three weeks to begin harvesting microgreens This is a hybrid class with a limit of 15 in-person attendees and an unlimited number of Zoom attendees. Registration is required.

Growing Orchids - San Francisco Climate

UC Master Gardeners

San Francisco Public Library, Richmond Library

351 9th Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94118

February 10, 2024, 11:00am-12:30pm

Learn about cool, temperate and tropical zone orchids. Which type is good for you? Get to know cool growing orchids for San Francisco. Discover how to successfully re-pot your orchid, water, feed and get them to re-bloom, along with methods for dealing with common pests and diseases. Registration is not required.

Succulents in Pots & Succulents in the Garden

UC Master Gardeners

San Francisco Mission Bay Library

960 4th Street

San Francisco, CA 94158

February 11, 2024, 2:00pm-3:30pm

No matter the size of your yard or your apartment windowsill, you can find a place to grow succulents. After a brief overview of the natural history of succulents, learn about succulent care and culture, including soils, pots, watering and light, as well as which plants do well in different Bay Area microclimates. Small succulent gardens in pots will be on display to show how arrangements can be made. Succulent cuttings will be available as “handouts." No registration is required.

Growing Cool Season Vegetables on the San Francisco Peninsula

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Garden Materials

Zoom presentation

February 14, 2024, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Cool season vegetable gardening is different from planting a summer garden. It's not difficult but you do need to pay a bit more attention to temperature and growing conditions. Learn about optimal soil and ambient temperatures which determines when you plant your cool season vegetables, and how to tweak conditions to favor those plants growing in your garden. Cool season vegetables include most Asian, root, and cabbage family vegetables, and many leafy greens. Registration is required.

Growing Herbs and Edible Flowers

UC Master Gardeners

Foster City Library

1000 East Hillsdale Boulevard

Foster City, CA 94404

February 15, 2024, 11:00am-12:00pm

Growing herbs and edible flowers is fun and easy for any level of gardener. Learn how to successfully grow herbs and edible flowers in containers, raised beds or in the ground. You will also receive some fun ideas on how to use your herbs and flowers. Registration is required.

Starting Your Vegetable Garden from Seed

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Public Library

55 W 3rd Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94402

February 17, 2024, 10:30am-12:00pm

Learn how to start seeds now for spring planting such as tomatoes and peppers, as well as many other spring and summer vegetables. Topics will include timing of when to start seeds, whether to start in containers or sow directly in the ground, crop rotation, succession planting, what kind of soil to use, and how to avoid common problems. There will be time for questions and shared discussion. Monthly planting calendars will be available to attendees. The Library will have free seeds to share. Registration is not required.

Installing a Drip Irrigation System in Your Home Garden

UC Master Gardeners

Elkus Ranch Environmental Education Center

1500 Purisima Creek Road

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

March 4, 2024, 1:30pm-3:00pm

Learn the correct way to install a sprinkler and drip irrigation system. In addition, you will learn the names and purposes of the “what-cha-ma-call-its" and the "do-hickies” that are used in an irrigation system. Registration is required.

Our Mission Statement is to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives. Follow us on Website, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, and YouTube.

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.