Plant Selection

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Yellow daisy-like flowers with white tips
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Spring Garden Fair Native Plants

California native plants have evolved to be well adapted to our dry summer/wet winter climate, plus they support native birds and insects. They are generally water-wise choices for landscaping.Remember that California contains a wide variety of growing conditions, from sandy deserts to moist creek sides…
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Fall Color

Chinese pistache, Wikimedia Commons Leaves are so ubiquitous that it's easy to overlook all the benefits they provide and the transition many experience. There's science behind a crimson burning bush (Euonymus), brilliant golden Ginkgo, or neon-orange Japanese maple (Acer palmatum).
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Tomato Trial: Getting Started

Review Growing Great Tomatoes before planting your seedlings. Harden off your seedlings by gradually acclimating plants to outdoor conditions for 4 to 7 days before transplanting into the ground. Start by placing the plants in a sheltered location like a covered patio.
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succulent
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Succulents & Low Water

Meet the spectacular succulents and other low-water plants at the Falkirk Demonstration Garden in San Rafael. L Stiles Every summer is dry in Marin and drought is an undeniable reality. In response, many gardeners make it a goal to conserve water wherever possible.
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Fall Garden Fair Ornamentals

Some cool season ornamentals bloom in the winter while others grow slowly then explode into flower for fabulous spring blooms. Plant in SeptemberOctober for beautiful bouquets in a few months.
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Ask Our Helpline

Something in your garden or home bugging you? Do your roses have strange spots? Is something eating your tomatoes? The Merced Master Gardeners are here to help! Contact our Helpline to get answers to your garden challenges and pest problems. Send an email to anrmgmerced@ucanr.edu.
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Houseplants
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Houseplants

Photo: Daria Rem, Pexels If you revel in the array of tones and textures in our garden, you can bring that feeling indoors with a few well-placed houseplants. Houseplants create a sense of colorful coziness, along with the added bonus of purifying the air you breathe.
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Fall Garden Fair Garlic and Shallots

 Garlic and shallots grow beautifully over the winter in Santa Clara County. Plant garlic and long-season shallots in the fall for harvesting in June–July. Be sure to choose a spot where you can withhold water for the last several weeks since the bulbs need to dry out as they mature. Fast growing Dutch…
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succulent
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How to Choose

We can grow thousands of different plants in our mild climate, which can make a visit to the nursery overwhelming. Photo, Leone Christine, Unsplash Thanks to Marin's mild climate, we can grow thousands of different plants.
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Hillsides

A colorful California hillside in summer. Photo: Connie Lefkowitz Marin's topography is part of our natural beauty. The views are gorgeous, but there are special considerations pertaining to erosion, water, and plant selection.
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