UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

University of California

UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County

December in Sonoma County

Resilient Landscape Design

Bennett Ridge, Sonoma County, CA garden (Design by April Owens and photo by Clio Tarazi)

As we adapt to the impacts of climate change in our environment, we need to acknowledge that wildfire and increasing periods of drought are a part of our landscape. It can seem overwhelming to try to manage what seem to be competing interests. Our goal is to design and maintain our homes and adjacent property in ways that reduce their vulnerability to wildfire but also provide critically important ecosystem services. Some longstanding design practices will need to shift as we adapt. We envision a resilient future where each of us is adapting to the needs of our changing climate and preparing for future fires while ensuring optimal support for biodiversity and our environment. Read more.

Make holiday arrangements from the garden!

Wreath by Sue Lovelace

Our gardens offer a wealth of flora for holiday arrangements, wreaths and garlands. Sue Lovelace, author of Sundays with Sue, demonstrates how to create a wreath and shares tips for collecting and preparing plant material. Before tuning into this video, gather your cutters, greens (evergreens, conifers, herbs, etc.), wreath forms (wire or vine), paddle wire (22 gauge), and any embellishments (ribbon, pine cones, fruit, cinnamon sticks, etc.) and join the fun of creating a festive, natural wreath. Watch Sue's zoom video from December 2020.

Wreath-making can engage kids’ creativity.

Making wreaths with kids can lead to outdoor adventures and a chance for them to show their individual creativity. This is a great time of year to search outdoors for wreath materials. Make it a fun activity for them. See more.

Planting Bulbs

Daffodil bulbs. Image by Matthias Böckel from Pixabay

Lay the groundwork now for bright and cheerful blooms in your garden this spring. The ground has been softened from our first rain, so this is a great time to get them planted. You should find a nice selection of bulbs to choose from in our local nurseries and garden centers. Read more on bulbs for Sonoma County.

We are still in a Drought!

Despite the recent rains, we are still in a drought. There are many resources available on-line to help you navigate the drought. There are a variety of articles on our website and here are a few local websites as well:

Food Gardening

Visit our Food Gardening web page for monthly food garden tasks and tips and food gardening articles.

This month we feature planting rhubarb and protecting your citrus from frost damage.

Recent Facebook Posts

View SonomaCountyMasterGardeners on Facebook

Thank you for support the Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County!

On #GivingTuesday 2021, your generosity helped raise $43,345 for the UC Master Gardener Program of which $4,650 will go directly to our local Sonoma County Master Gardner Program.

Donations we received from the day will help ensure UC Master Gardeners continue to provide knowledge and essential resources for healthier gardens and more sustainable landscapes to gardeners across the state. We look forward to sharing information and progress with you in the new year.

Getting Help

New to Gardening? Click here.

Upcoming Events

Pest Alert!

Bagrada bug. UC ANR, The Regents of the University of California. (Cropped)

The Bagrada bug is an invasive pest that is new to Sonoma County. It is a small stink bug that can cause damage to crops in the mustard family as well as other crops. Click here for more information on this pest.

Sundays with Sue

Click here to read Sundays with Sue. Her column can also be found on our Facebook page.

Master Gardeners in Print

Check out our most recent articles:

The Press Democrat
Advice to Grow By » Master Gardeners
Time to pick late fruits of harvest, make rain garden 11/20/21

The Press Democrat
Advice to Grow By » Master Gardeners
Tiny voles can be mighty destructive to yards, plants and Preparing Lavenders for winter 10/30/21

COVID-19 Notice

To reduce the spread of COVID-19 pandemic and in compliance with county orders, we have adjusted our services accordingly: All in-person events are suspended. Library talks have been replaced by Zoom events. Please check the "Upcoming Events" section at the top-right of this page for currently scheduled events.

Thanks for your patience during this time. We will inform you when the in-person library talks resume.