The most effective irrigation systems are designed, installed, and maintained to distribute water as uniformly as possible and only when and where water is needed. That means applying water where roots can use it.
Have a shady nook that needs attention? There is a world of gorgeous plants up for the job. They come in every imaginable shade of green from pastel to chartreuse, emerald, and deep forest green. Shade plants are often slower growing than sun-loving species.
Free home garden consultations to create a beautiful low water use garden offered by the UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County in partnership with Sonoma Water and the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership.
The Shade Garden is under the canopy of mature oaks along one edge of the Sherwood Demonstration Garden. If you are looking for help with a shade garden the UC Master Gardeners can help.
Irrigation Scheduling Tools This tool, developed by Rueben and Shanti Hofshi, and Ben Faber, has instructions for use and allows you to calculate water needed per tree per day as well as watering time per day or irrigation period.
As of January 1, 2025, popular lawn and garden pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid class, can no longer be used by home gardeners on outdoor fruit trees, lawns, or ornamental plants in California.
A well-watered plant that suddenly wilts or unexpectedly drops its leaves could be infected with the soil pathogen Phytophthora. The disease it causes, Phytophthora root and crown rot, can affect many plants, including ornamental trees and shrubs, fruit trees, and vegetables.
