Plant Selection

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green cherry tomatoes, orange and purple tomatoes, yellow and purple tomato
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Public Tomato Trial

We invite you to join our public tomato trial and be a citizen scientist! Help us gather information by growing trial tomatoes in your garden and reporting the results.
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banner lawn replacement
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Lawn & Alternatives

Today there are more choices than ever when it comes to lawn and lawn alternatives. If you like the look and feel of a conventional lawn, there are even some lower-water choices available.
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Deer
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Deer-Resistant Plants

Deer tend to avoid plants that are smelly, wooly, prickly, or poisonous. Photo: Marie Narlock It's possible to have a lovely unfenced garden even if there are deer in your neighborhood.
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Tomato Trial: Getting Started

Review Growing Great Tomatoes before planting your seedlings. Harden off your seedlings by gradually acclimating plants to outdoor conditions for 4 to 7 days before transplanting into the ground. Start by placing the plants in a sheltered location like a covered patio.
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banner invasives
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Plants to Avoid

Most plants are a pleasure to grow. Fortunately, there are only a few to avoid. Here's how invasive plants and plants that have been treated cause problems. Scotch broom currently infests millions of acres throughout California.
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Fern
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Ferns & Shade Plants

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.
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Assortment of colorful, red and orange tomatoes
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Spring Garden Fair Tomatoes

We offer a wide selection of delicious tomato seedlings, from huge beefsteaks to bite-size cherry tomatoes, both heirloom and modern varieties, in a rainbow of colors. All have been trialed by UC Master Gardeners and chosen for great flavor, productivity, and vigor.Public Tomato TrialIn addition to the…
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tree
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Trees & How to Choose

The tree you plant today may be here for your children and grandchildren and beyond. Photo: Candid Shots, Pixabay Use our PLANT LIST: > TREES FOR BACKYARDS AND PATIOS These trees thrive in Marin and are well-suited to the typical backyard setting.
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Hot Summer Locales

Some perennials bloom exuberantly in the heat of summer. Photo: Creative Commons When temperatures rise, everyone feels the heat even your garden. If you live in a hot summer area, be sure to use strategies to avoid heat stress in plants.
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Belgium Endive Trial 2006

Belgian endive can be successfully grown in Santa Clara County as a cool weather green. The plants need to be started in the summer. In late fall, they are harvested, trimmed, and transplanted into damp sand where they are kept cool and dark. Six plants will yield weekly salad greens from December through…
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