As a Master Gardener we have been provided in-depth training in specialized areas of horticulture.  We would like to encourage more people to enjoy the ART of gardening and help our communities gain more knowledge and understanding on all areas of home gardening.  We hope to help you increase your knowledge and horticulture experience with our BLOGS.  We’ll also deal with environmentally responsible and sustainable horticultural practices, help reduce fertilizers and pesticides pollutants, protect water quality and promote water conservation, compost green-waste, reducing landfill materials and improving air quality.  We’ll have series of Home Gardens, Plant Propagation, Wildlife Habitats, Good and Bad Insects, “How To” area on Lawns, Trees, Shrubs, Flowers plus Small and Large Gardens. We are eager to help our friends increase their gardening knowledge and GROW together. 

​Seasonal Plants

​Gardening 101

Now is the time to get started on your Gardening Adventure.  Our goal is to help guide you along the garden path to be successful, optimize the potentials of your soil, and grow the best vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers and trees.  All this is possible with less insect problems for better health for you and your family.  It’s always good to begin small and get to understand your garden for better results in the future.

• Most plants need six hours of full sun each day – take time to find that special spot in your garden.  Watch how the sun moves across this space for a few days to get a better understanding of suns movement.  

• Start from the ground up – Get a Soil Test to make sure you dirt/soil is fertile with nutrients for your plants. (Check out our blogs on Let’s Get To The Bottom Of A Dirty Subject) Improve your soil.

• Double-digging can improve and loosen soil when adding organic matter or you could use a raised bed. Benefits of Raised Beds:

• a. Keeps pathways weeds from your garden soil

• Prevents soil compaction

• Provide good drainage – keeps roots from getting waterlogged in wet climate

• Helps soil stay warmer above ground level in spring and summer.

• Permitting plant roots to go further into the ground for available nutrients.

• Use chicken wire underground to keep gophers from eating plants. Easy installation.

• Better soil used in raised bed gardens, tend to have higher fruit and vegetable yields than traditional row gardens.

• Reduces back strain - less bending over.

• Aesthetically Pleasing. Raised garden beds look neat and tidy.  Plus you can be more creative in design.

• Understand each area of your garden and what you want to accomplish and grow.

• Be adventurous, grow some of your plants from seeds, and buy transplants from a reputable Garden Center.  Always check the roots to make sure they are healthy and not root bound.  

• Make sure to dig the planting hole to the proper depth - The most common oversight inexperienced gardeners make occurs when they are planting. What they fail to realize is the importance of proper planting depth. Planting depth refers to how deep the plant has been sunk into the soil. Always read the label.  It’s better to dig wider holes then deeper so the roots can expand. 

• Watering – make sure seedlings never dry out, and then taper off as the plants gets larger.  New transplants need frequent watering until their roots become established.  Watching your plants as they grow you’ll see when to cut back on watering – it will also depend on soil texture, humidity, and how often it rains. Remember; water slowly and deep for best results.  To diminish evaporation, water early morning.

• MULCH!  Keep mulch to a couple inches to keep weeds out and water in. Mulch also protects the roots from harsh weather.

• Call your local Extension Office for more details and questions you might have that arise during the growing season.  They will help provide answers your questions and it’s FREE.