Plant Care

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…

Starting seeds in pots can give your vegetables, herbs, and flowers a head start before being transplanted into the garden. This makes it possible to enjoy earlier harvests and earlier blooms. Sturdy transplants can better withstand pests, diseases, and difficult weather.

Orange County averages about 13 inches of rain per year (Metropolitan Water District of Orange County), which puts us a few inches away from being a desert, which averages ten inches of rain per year. Recent drought years have focused attention on the amount of water we use in our landscape.

Look for our friendly UC Master Gardeners of Merced County and their info booth at the Merced Farmers' Market on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Info booth located at the 16th Street parking lot between M & K Streets Please stop by with your questions, Take home a vegetable seedling and garden…

Division benefits plants and allows you to share with others. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Use division techniques for plants with runners, bulbs, tubers, or rhizomes. These plants produce multiple stems above the ground. You cannot use division techniques for plants with a single stem.

Reduce irrigation times as day length shortens and plant growth slows. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Reduce irrigation times as day length shortens and plant growth slows.

> Before you start pruning > Understand new wood & old wood > When to prune > Make a pruning plan > What to prune and remove > How much to remove #1.

When to plant: January–March Harvest window: June–October, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring and fall, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Dormant Pruning (January–February) to encourage vigor; Summer pruning (post-harvest) to control vigor.

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).

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.