sustainable gardening

Every garden has space for edible plants – herbs in pots, or mixed with ornamentals in a rock garden; passion fruit or cucumbers covering a fence; dwarf fruit trees in a driveway strip or lettuce in a shady corner of the backyard. UC Master Gardeners will show you how edibles can fit into the nooks and crannies of your urban garden, adding to the beauty of your garden as well as providing you with year round healthy, home-grown snacks. The presentation will include inspiring photos from local gardens.

Fall is the best time to plant perennials, especially water-wise and drought-tolerant native plants and plants from Mediterranean climates.  Join Master Gardeners for a talk on why this is and how to plant for best success.   Need ideas for what to plant?  Plant options will be discussed and  we'll have a water-wise plant list handout. 

We live in one of the best places in the world to create a year-round garden, whether you want to grow vegetables or a beautiful sustainable garden full of trees, shrubs, perennials and flowers.  Come learn the basics about our climate and soil and the best practices for creating your ideal garden.  If you are a beginning gardener you will learn how to get started successfully.  If you have some experience you'll learn about sustainable practices and appropriate plants to introduce into your garden.  The instructors are Master Gardeners, volunteers with the University of California Cooperative Extension, who are dedicated to providing research-based gardening information to home gardeners.

The course is held on six Saturdays between April 25 and June 6, from 10 a.m. - noon.   Registration opens in March.   To register, contact the Almaden Community Center at 408-268-1133.

We live in one of the best places in the world to create a year-round garden, whether you want to grow vegetables or a beautiful sustainable garden full of trees, shrubs, perennials and flowers.  Come learn the basics about our climate and soil and the best practices for creating your ideal garden.  If you are a beginning gardener you will learn how to get started successfully.  If you hae some experience you'll learn about sustainable practices and appropriate plants to introduce into your garden.  The goal of this class is to enable you to have a successful and sustainable garden in our time and place.  Instructors are Master Gardeners, volunteers with the University of California Cooperative Extension, who are dedicated to providing research-based gardening information to home gardeners.

The course is held on six Wednesday evenings, April 8 - May 20; note that there is no class on April 15. 

The course code is 227272 and the cost is $69.

Registration opens in March.  To register, call 408-522-2700 or visit their website http://ace.fuhsd.org.

There are many plants that can be grown in place of turf grass to create beautiful front yard gardens.  Come learn about lawn alternatives that need less water and other inputs and lower levels of care.

Learn from Master Gardeners about the components of low-pressure drip irrigation systms you can easily assemble for your vegetable OR ornamental garden - including low-water ornamental gardens. 

Followed by Grand Rounds in the garden - tour the garden with Master Gardeners and bring your questions!

Get ready for next spring and summer by saving seeds and cuttings of your favorite plants now!

Followed by Open Garden and tours of the gardens with Master Gardeners, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Learn how to design your low-water garden with easy plants and great tips to get them started.

Followed by Open Garden and tours of the gardens with Master Gardeners from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Learn how easy it is to grow plants in fall and winter conditions.  Master Gardeners will discuss soil prep, which vegetables to plant and when to plant, how much to plant, succession planting and harvesting tips.

Followed by Open Garden and tours of the gardens with Master Gardener from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Now is the time to prepare the garden for May and June planting for the bounty to come!   Demonstrations include soil prep, transplanting, plant supports and direct seeding.   

Followed by Open Garden and tour of the gardens with Master Gardeners, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.   Come visit the four vegetable beds, the mini fruit tree orchard and espaliered fruit trees and our extensive low-water ornamental gardens.