UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

University of California

UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

June in Sonoma County

Invasive Weed: Scotch Broom

Scotch Broom is one of the many plants brought to our continent by early settlers who wanted to re-create their home environments. Unfortunately, this one reproduced uncontrollably in it's new environment and now lines some of our rural roads and frequently sprouts in our gardens. For more on the history of Scotch Broom, and how to identify and control it, continue reading here.

Red Flag Warnings

Fire Safety: What does a “Red Flag Warning” mean? What should you do?

Many residents in Sonoma County live in or near fire danger. For those who do live in a high fire area, knowing what to do when a warning is issued is essential.

Read the article here.

Garden Sense Program Resumes

The Garden Sense program was suspended after the October wildfire disaster, and we are happy to announce the program has resumed as of February 1, 2018. Our Garden Sense consultants have advanced training in water management, irrigation systems, site assessment, low-water use plants, and sustainable garden practices. Click here to learn more about the program and to schedule a Garden Sense consultation and site visit.

Food Gardening

What Do Melons And Okra Have In Common?

They are both heat-loving crops that are happy to be planted in the June food garden. Both are delicious and nutritious and have a lovely flower in anticipation of the fruit. Otherwise, one is a vining fruit, the other an upright vegetable; and it's highly unlikely that there is a recipe combining the two. One or both crops would be a great addition to your summer food garden. Read more.

Growing a Thriving Vegetable Garden with Less Water

The Food Gardening Specialists (FGS) of the UCCE Sonoma Master Gardeners are excited to present water-wise food gardening strategies. Given our hot, dry summers along with the prediction of extended drought, we can’t afford to waste a drop. This video demonstrates how home and community gardeners can grow a thriving vegetable garden with less water. In addition, this video is complemented by a planting scheme and a drip system instruction and shopping list that reflect the 4x8-foot demonstration vegetable bed in the video. Click here for these documents along with additional helpful documents for food gardening with less water.

Ask a Master Gardener
Questions and Answers from the Helpline

Watch to Learn What Master Gardeners Do

Fight Invasives!

Master Gardener-staffed Help Desks are located
at Sonoma County Farmers' Markets and Fairs

Master Gardeners are volunteers trained by the UC Davis Cooperative Extension.

Sonoma County Master Gardeners will provide environmentally sustainable, science-based horticultural information to all of Sonoma County’s population. We strive for diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organization.

UCCE Farm Advisor: Stephanie Larson, County Director

SCMG Coordinator: Mimi Enright

Workshop Calendar

Event Name	Date
Fall into Food Gardening -Sebastopol	8/4/2018
Gardening with Less Water - HFH Santa Rosa	8/11/2018
Fall Food Gardening - HFH Santa Rosa	8/25/2018
Healthy Gardens Weed Management - Sebastopol	9/1/2018

View More Events

Find links to past workshop handouts under Resources/Workshop Handouts.

Sundays with Sue

By SCMG Sue Lovelace
Updated: June 17, 2018

Father’s Day comes at a wonderful time of the year and I hope you are enjoying the day with or without celebration of the dads in our lives. Most of our family will be together with dads, husbands, sons, uncles, nephews, friends, and brothers being celebrated. Memory gardens are in place for those who have passed and held dear, never forgotten, and are thought of often. I have talked about my dad’s apple tree which brings memories of him walking to the garden, salt shaker in hand, to eat a much anticipated apple, right at the tree, not making it to the house. My dad’s apple tree, along with other memory plants and garden areas for special people in our lives, give additional joy every time I go to the garden.

I am happy to announce the best garlic crop ever for our garden! The bulbs are double the size of previous years. I planted and harvested at the same time, but clearly paid more attention to watering. It’s funny because I have always thought garlic did not need much water, but after reading “Garlic is Life” by Chester Aaron, I saw that his best crop came after heavy rains, with good drainage of course. This year’s late rains were very timely for the formation of the bulbs, confirming the fact that water is especially important for plants when flowers, fruit, and roots are forming. Gardening is always a learning experience: just when you think you have it figured out a new twist presents itself.

Speaking of new twists, I am suspecting a pollination problem with several varieties of summer squash I have growing in the garden. Each of the plants have both female and male flowers. However, the female flowers, with tiny fruits at the base, have failed to grow large fruit. In fact, most of the fruit ends up shriveling up and dying. Cool weather that we had for several days, may create such issues. However, I have not observed a large quantity of bees in the backyard, and it may be a timing issue. I have been concerned by the use of herbicides and pesticides by neighbor’s landscapers and it’s possible their impact has been seen in our veggie garden. Am I exaggerating? Maybe. At any rate, if this situation continues, I will be out with the paintbrush transferring pollen from male to female flowers.

Have a great day all, especially you dads.

“Dad’s are the most ordinary men turned by love into heroes, adventurers, story-tellers, and singers of song.” Pam Brown

Master Gardeners in Print

The Garden Doctors
Dana Lozano & Gwen Kilchherr, The Press Democrat

Know your enemy: tips for battling garden pests

Webmasters: Kim Roche, Stan Pawlak

Website Editor: Penny Fink

Food Gardening Editor: Stephanie Wrightson

Staff Photographers and Videographers:
Cie Cary, Electra de Peyster,
Coby Lafayette-Kelleher, Laura Salo Long