Featured Articles

Mission Farm

UC Master Gardeners

Mission Farm which is located in Woodside is a "hands-on learning farm" providing education on various methods to grow healthy soil, thus creating healthy food. The harvest of fruits and vegetables are donated to people in underserved communities through food banks and soup kitchens. The farm uses a no-till cover crop vegetable growing method, and classes will be offered throughout the year in the future which will include scientific methods, citrus, California natives, cover cropping, re-carbonizing soil, trapping vertebrate pests, tomato trellising, and summer and winter pruning of deciduous fruit trees. Information will be on our website sometime in the future, but the food donations are occurring now.

Gardening Education Center

UC Master Gardeners

The Gardening Education Center (GEC) is located at the San Mateo Event Center (adjacent to the Jockey Club), 2495 South Delaware Street, San Mateo, CA. The GEC is a dedicated growing space where Master Gardeners model and educate the public on environmentally-sound horticulture techniques and water-wise gardening practices. It also includes greenhouse facilities and demonstration garden, and excess produce is donated to the Samaritan House. Additionally, the GEC is used to provide hands-on training opportunities for Master Gardeners, increase our plant-science expertise with continuing education opportunities, and strengthen our own Master Gardener chapter. Read more.

Checklists for

September/October/November

UC Master Gardeners

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

Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum

UC Master Gardeners

San Mateo Arboretum in Central Park

101 9th Avenue

San Mateo, CA 94401

October 1, 2023, 12:00pm-3:00pm

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.

Introduction to Gardening with California Native Plants

UC Master Gardeners

Lyngso Garden Materials

Zoom presentation

October 4, 2023, 1:00pm-3:00pm

The Bay Area has a rich diversity of native plants. Many of these plants can easily be grown in home gardens. Join in a discussion on the advantages of growing natives and how to get started. This talk will cover plants for sunny or shady gardens, soil, water and drainage considerations, how and when to plant, maintenance issues, sources for native plants, and other useful resources. Registration is required.

Seed Saving Workshop (Hands on)

UC Master Gardeners

Collective Roots Community Garden

1785 Woodland Avenue

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

October 7, 2023, 10:00am-12:00pm

Come learn how to save seeds from your garden’s vegetable, herb and flower plants for sharing and growing again next season. We will discuss which plants are good candidates for seed saving, the best time to collect seeds, and the various techniques for drying and storing them. Registration is not required.

Gardening with Native Plants

Flowercraft Garden Center

550 Bayshore Blvd

San Francisco, CA 94124

October 14, 2023 10:00am-11:00am

Including California native plants in your garden plays a vital role in maintaining the local ecosystem. Native plants are able to survive periods of drought, provide food and shelter for beneficial and pollinator insects and birds, and beautify your landscape with minimum inputs. Learn the soil, sun and water differences when gardening with native plants. October is a great time to plant natives. Registration is not required.

Divisadero Farmers Market

UC Master Gardeners Education Table

1377 Fell Street

San Francisco, CA 94117

October 15, 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm

Visit the UC Master Gardener education table at the Divisadero Farmers’ Market. Master Gardener volunteers will be available every third Sunday to answer questions regarding plants, planting techniques, garden pests, and more. The Farmers Market is open Sundays year-round, 9:00am-1:00pm. Read more.

Children’s Nature Activities & Garden Tours

UC Master Gardeners

San Carlos Library

610 El Street, San Carlos, CA 94070

October 22, 2023, 11:00am-1:00pm

Children's nature activities will take place on the Herb Garden Patio at the San Carlos Library on October 22nd. Master Gardener volunteers will lead tours of the Native Plant Habitat Garden and Herb Garden, located adjacent to the library. This is a free event. No registration is required.

Serramonte Farmers Market

UC Master Gardeners Education Table

Serramonte Mall

133 Serramonte Center

Daly City, CA 94015

October 26, 2023, 9:00am-1:00pm

Visit the UC Master Gardener education table at the Serramonte Farmers Market. Master Gardener volunteers are available every other Thursday to answer questions regarding plants, planting techniques and more. The Farmers' Market is located behind Macy's. No registration required.

San Francisco Recreation & Parks Garden Resource Day

UC Master Gardeners Education Table

McLaren Park - Gleneagles Golf Course

2100 Sunnydale Avenue

San Francisco, CA 94134

October 28, 2023, 10:00am-1:00pm

The San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department is holding a Garden Resource Day to provide free vegetable starts, seed packets, compost and mulch to promote urban agriculture. Master Gardener volunteers will staff an education table to answer general gardening questions, troubleshoot problems, and provide information about the Master Gardener program. Please visit the table to talk about gardening in your area. No registration required.

Compost Happens

UC Master Gardeners

Video

Learn the reasons to compost, how to compost, and how to use compost once it is finished. Watch this video, as well as other videos created by Master Gardeners located on our YouTube channel.

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 our Website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or YouTube channels.

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.