Santa Clara

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Avocado on tree
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Avocado

When to plant: March–April (after last frost date) Harvest window: Varies widely depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen throughout the growing season; iron, zinc, and other nutrients may be needed Train young trees to promote lateral growth.
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May Tips

Garden Help > Monthly Tips Monthly tips are categorized by To-Dos, What to Plant, or Pests and Diseases. Scroll through the list to see items in each category. Also, refer to our list of tips useful for any month.
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Melons

Transplant or direct seed: May–June For best results, wait until daytime temperatures are regularly over 75ºF and soil temperature is over 70ºF Start in pots for transplants: April–May; ready to transplant in 4 weeks Harvest window: July–October, depending on variety
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Parsnip

Direct seed January–March (possibly April), September Harvest when the roots reach 1-inch diameter at the top. Expect 90–120 days to maturity. Flavor is best when the mature plants are exposed to cool weather for 2–4 weeks which encourages the starches in the roots to convert to sugars. Loosen soil with…
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Red and green mustards
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Mustard Greens

Mustard is a member of the cabbage family. Like the others, they grow best in the cool season. Mustard comes in a variety of beautiful colors (green, red, purple) and textures (smooth, ruffled, lacy) making it very ornamental as well.
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Ripe and unripe blackberry on plant
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Blackberries and Raspberries

Three main types of raspberries are grown in the United States: red, purple and black. They differ in ways other than fruit color. Red raspberries have erect canes and are propagated by suckers. These are usually grown in the Western States. Black raspberries have arched canes that root at the tips. Purple…
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Fall Garden Fair Maps

Fall Garden Fair will be held at Martial Cottle Park. Admission to the park and to the Fair are free. Parking is $6. The entrance to the park is on Snell Ave.Important, please note! The park opens at 8 am. Cars are not allowed to line up before the park gates open. Please be respectful of the…
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Vegetables Tips

Garden Help > Monthly TipsHere is a collection of our monthly tips about vegetables.To-DosPests and DiseasesWhat to PlantTo-Dos: VegetablesBolting Lettuces Broccoli - Multiple Harvests Change to Cool Season Planting Consider Dehydrating Some Of Your Harvest Cool Season Vegetables Direct Seeding Drought…
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Parsley cropped UCANR
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Parsley

Parsley is cold hardy and can be productive year-round. It comes in both curly and flat-leaved (Italian) varieties. It is a biennial, meaning it will send up a flower stalk after its first winter, so it is best to set out fresh transplants every spring.
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Lush green basil leaves
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Basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm weather annual herb grown for both its leaves and seeds. There are many varieties of basil including Sweet, Thai, Lemon, Genovese/Italian, Purple Leaf, and Tulsi or Holy Basil. Growing techniques are common for most, although African Blue Basil is grown as a tender…
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