Winter in Sonoma County

Year of the Tree 2023
Trees are in every aspect of our gardens and the surrounding natural world. In 2023 Sonoma County Master Gardeners will work on a myriad of tree-related projects. We will weave together these projects and stories and stress their importance in a world of climate change and other natural disasters. Our first project, Climate Forward Trees, promotes the use of appropriate tree species to plant now that will thrive in the future.

Click here for more information about the Climate Forward Trees project including the list of Climate Forward Trees developed by us in partnership with City of Santa Rosa Water, videos on planting and maintaining healthy trees, tree resources, climate projections and much more.

Healthy Soils

Healthy soil is the foundation of sustainable food, water, air and biodiversity. Restoring and preserving healthy soil results in:

Improved plant health and yields
Increased water infiltration and retention
Sequestered carbon and reduced greenhouse gases (GHGs)
Reduced sediment erosion and dust
Improved water and air quality
Improved biological diversity and wildlife habitat

Read more about soil and composting on our website.

Garden Tool Maintenance Nitty Gritty – Scrub, Sharpen, Sanitize, Lubricate

This is a great time of the year to give your garden tools some tender loving care. As garden chores are winding down, winter months provide a perfect time to inspect, clean, protect, repair, and properly store your garden tools so they are ready to use in the spring. Come spring, you will be anxious to work in your garden and your tools will be ready for use. Click here for more information on the nitty gritty of garden tool maintenance.

A Winter Garden

We are often asked about vegetable gardens in the winter. In this video we tour the garden at Harvest for the Hungry, where Master Gardeners volunteer. Amid our rains and chill, what can we grow in Sonoma County?