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UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo & San Francisco Counties

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Article

Leave the Leaves

October 1, 2025
 It’s fall and the leaves are falling. Instead of raking or blowing, use the free mulch to protect your soil and the living organisms in it. The leaves also will help to suppress weeds, prevent erosion and provide a winter home for many insects and invertebrates. As the leaves break down, they will feed…
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Article

Start Planning Your Fall Garden

August 22, 2025
 As you're enjoying summer's bounty, it's time to start planning your cool season veggie garden. August and September are the ideal months to seed fall and winter crops such as beets, cabbage, broccoli, peas, kale, spinach, lettuce and much more. Find your microclimate (hot, sunny, foggy) and then…
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Article

Get Ready to Plant California Natives

September 16, 2025
 Fall is the best time to plant most California natives. Cooler weather and rain get them off to a good start by helping them grow deep roots – perfect for seeds or transplants. Many nurseries and native plant groups have fall plant sales. In our introductory California native gardening web page, you’ll…
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Article

Landscape Fabric: The Hidden Truth

September 16, 2025
 Before rolling out landscape fabric to keep weeds at bay, consider the effects on your soil and plants. Landscape or “weed blocking” fabric, usually made of plastic or polyester, has varying degrees of permeability. Over time, holes in the fabric get clogged, preventing the movement of water, oxygen…
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Photo by Brian Hicks
Article

Cool Season Cover Crops

September 16, 2025
 If you’re taking a break this fall and winter after growing summer veggies, then plant a cover crop to enrich and protect your soil as well as to attract beneficial insects. Choose a variety of cool season cover crop seeds, such as flowers, grasses and a legume, for sowing in early fall. See Cover…
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    Upcoming Events

    Sunflower
    October 7, 2025

    Art in the Garden

    Throw a little water, spatter a little paint, create a colorful garden painting! Come join us at Elkus Ranch and enjoy the garden while getting ideas for your Spatter Painting! You will create a…
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    October 8, 2025

    What went wrong in my summer garden

    Gardening can be fickle and full of learning opportunities. Things go wrong even for experienced gardeners. Zucchini plants produce no fruit.  Tomatoes have rotten bottoms.  Powdery mildew…
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    baby blue eyes
    October 11, 2025

    Pollinator Plants in Containers

    Description: Invite birds, bees and butterflies into any size garden space by using container gardening techniques. In this talk, UC Master Gardener Cindy Burgdorf will share tips and tricks to help…
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