Resources

Guides

• Edible Gardening and Planting Calendars, available in English, Español and Chinese
• California Native Gardening
  • Growing wildflowers (annuals)
  • Native plant tip sheets: tips for the first year and tips for growing natives in containers
• Container Gardening
  • Container Gardening Basics
  • Best Soil Choices for Container Gardening
  • Growing Container Tomatoes in San Francisco (PDF)
• Firewise Landscaping
  • Handout: How to Protect Your Home
• By Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn
  • Monthly garden checklist

Fundamentals

Healthy soil is the foundation of successful gardening

• Building healthy soil
• Basic soil maintenance
• Addressing common soil questions
• Soil tests to evaluate your soil

Composting

• Composting is Good for Your Garden and the Environment
• Handout:  Composting: The Basics, a UC Master Gardener guide to home composting
• Urban Agricultural Resources from San Francisco Recreation & Parks
• The San Mateo County Office of Sustainability is an excellent local resource for home gardeners. See the Composting section for more information and support for residents composting at home.
• Vermicomposting (composting using worms):
  • Handout: Worm Composting
  • Build or Buy a Compost Bin or Worm Bin

Climate

• Understand your climate to help you select plants that will do well in your garden.

Plants

• Plant Notes and Slides: details for how to choose and maintain selected CA natives, edibles, herbs, and succulents.
• Plant library: Find out more about the plants you bought at the Spring Garden Market by browsing the plant library, where you'll find key facts about your edibles, flowers for pollinators and a page with links to learn about the California native plants you purchased.
• Trees
• Plants by Type: Succulents, houseplants, lawn & ground cover

Taking care of the garden

• Pests and weeds
  • Quick Tips library: Quick Tips offer brief information about common pests and sustainable gardening practices.
  • Notas breves: Notas Breves ofrecen consejos rápidos sobre las plagas y las prácticas de jardinería que respetan el medio ambiente.
• Maintenance
  • Pruning

Publications

• Articles
• Newsletters

Class materials

Slides and other documents for selected classes, presentations, and workshops given by Master Gardeners.

Videos on YouTube

We have a growing collection of videos on many garden topics. Visit our channel on YouTube: @smsfmastergardeners