Garden

Past Urban & Community IPM webinars

In February 1997, a group of Master Gardener volunteers established a variety trial to evaluate 15 varieties of blueberries in a replicated trial. This was conducted at the Bay Area Research and Extension Center of the University of California located in the City of Santa Clara near Valley Fair Shopping…

When to plant: January–early February Harvest window: August–October, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Prune in early winter (December–January)

Asparagus is a perennial plant that can produce for years if grown with care. Choose a site in full sun and prepare the soil well. The plants send up 5-foot tall, ferny growth over the summer, so plant them where they won't undesirably shade other plants. Asparagus plants will be either male or female. The…

Start slip production in February–March Transplant to garden May–June Sweet potatoes are grown from 'slips' (sprouts from a sweet potato). Due to pest quarantines, most nursery companies cannot ship slips to California.

When to plant: Transplant: February–April, August–September (maybe October) Harvest as soon as they reach maturity (the head is firm and has reached an acceptable size). Leaving them in the garden too long may result in bolting or split heads.

There are two types of fennel: Florence fennel, also called bulbing fennel: grown primarily for the bulb-like base of the stalks which is eaten as a vegetable. Leaves and seeds can also be harvested. Common and bronze fennel: grown just for the seeds or foliage (they do not form succulent bulbs), but are…

Lavender has many uses in the home garden. It can be a hedge, border, or part of an herb garden. In culinary use, lavender flowers are used in herbal teas and desserts. There are many more uses for lavender in fragrances, potpourris and sachets, oils, and aromatherapy. The various cultivars of lavender…

Lake Lagunitas. Photo: Wikimedia Commons A watershed is all the land that drains to a particular stream, river, or bay. All land, from the wildest preserve to the most densely developed urban neighborhood, is part of a watershed.

Got pests or other problems and want to know how to manage them? Here are some of the most frequently asked about and most common plant problems and pests in Marin.