Spring in Sonoma County

Mulch in Your Landscape

A layer of mulch dresses up your landscape and conserves water. Regents of the University of California.

Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable food, air, water, and biodiversity. One of the best ways to maintain soil health is by applying mulch to your garden. Varied materials can be used as mulch and, when applied appropriately, help by protecting the soil from compaction and erosion, by conserving soil moisture and moderating soil temperature, and by helping to prevent weed growth. When organic mulches are applied, native soil organisms (soil fauna) will slowly digest the materials allowing nutrients to move back through the soil profile improving overall soil health. Learn more about nurturing your soil with mulch, the types of mulch available and their applications.

Time to check for garden pests!

Mealybugs on grape, copyright Regents of the University of California, 2004

Summer is a good time to check your garden for pests. Start with regular monitoring and correct pest identification. Then, by considering information about the pest and environmental factors, you can decide whether the pest can be tolerated or whether control is needed. Learn about common pests in Sonoma County here. And don’t forget about the beneficial predators that help keep pest populations in check!

California Native Plants

California native plants are having their day in the sun and it’s none too soon. By providing “nurseries” for local insects, food for bees, butterflies, moths, and birds, and shelter for a wide range of insects, birds, and mammals, native plants can help increase biodiversity, rebuild lost habitat, and combat climate change in our community. Your can find recommended native plants for Sonoma County here.

In our YouTube playlist on California Native Plants, we introduce you to a number of California native plants that do well in Sonoma County gardens. From trees and grasses to flowers and shrubs, we spotlight individual natives in brief videos to show you what each plant looks like, why we love it, and how to care for it in your own garden.

Food Gardening

Visit our Food Gardening in Sonoma County page for useful food gardening information including our Monthly Tips on food gardening tasks you can do each month to make your garden, healthy, beautiful and productive.

Recent Facebook Posts

View SonomaCountyMasterGardeners on Facebook

THANK YOU!! As of 12:00 pm at the conclusion of UC ANR Giving Day 2023 your generosity helped raise $37,717.65 for the UC Master Gardener Program!
Donations we received from the day will support training and outreach to gardeners across California.
Again, thank you for your generosity and supporting healthier communities. We look forward to sharing progress and impact with you!