vegetable 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.

Now's the time to start thinking about your fall and winter garden,  plant seed directly in the soil, and transplant seedlings into your vegetable beds.  Although it's too late in the season to start seeds yourself in six-plant to transplant in 6-8 when the seedlings are big enough, the topic of how to seed in six-packs and care for seedlings will be covered.

Join Master Gardeners to learn about which vegetables to plant, and learn tips on how to grow for best success. Check out our Warm and Cool Season Vegetable Planting Guidelines for info on when to seed directly, when to start seeds in six-packs or other containers and when to transplant seedlings:  http://mastergardeners.org/warm-cool-veg-charts

 

 

McClellan Ranch Home page | Appendix A | Appendix B | Eggplant Photos

Overview

In 2004, members of the University of California Master Gardener McClellan Ranch project team completed a very successful summer vegetable trial in Cupertino that focused on eggplants. Forty different varieties of eggplants from all around the world were grown for the research project. Varieties for the trial were selected to represent the breadth of color, shape, and growth habit available to the home gardener.

Plant characteristics along with pest and disease problems were observed and recorded. In addition, as the eggplants were harvested, elapsed days between seeding and germination and days to maturity of each variety were recorded. The harvest yield in ounces/pounds, number of fruit, and the size of the fruit were also tracked.

A public field day was held in September where people toured the garden and tasted the different varieties of eggplants. The rating sheets from the field day were used to pick the top ten varieties of eggplants based on flavor and texture. When selecting which eggplant varieties to grow, home gardeners can consult these tasting results as well as the plant characteristics and pest and disease information.

See a planting demonstration for the tomato and pepper plants you've recently purchased at our community garden's plant sale (or at the Master Gardeners' April 4 Spring Garden Market, if you shop there!)  Stay and get your gardening questions answered by a team of Master Gardeners.

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 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. 

This talk by Master Gardener Jim Maley will cover the wonderful marriage of tomatoes, chile peppers and herbs to create delicious salsa.  Information will be provided on the historical introduction of tomatoes and chiles from the indigenous peoples of the new world to the gardens and kitchens of Europe and Asia.  Proven garden methods for growing your own salsa ingredients will be discussed as well as recipes and special techniques such as drying and smoking chiles and tomatoes.

Ever wonder why, even though you plant your tomatoes, early, sometimes it just seems to slow down the whole process?  And why would people even bother seeding their own vegetables?  Join the Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens and Master Gardener Susan Zaslaw for a fact-filled, fun workshop to kick your garden up a notch!  You will go home with handouts of lists of warm season veggies, recommendations for specific varieties and be inspired by a wide range of variety choices.   Even if you don't want to start your own seeds - you'll learn how to select the hardiest plants from the nursery and tips for getting the best results from your transplants.  Plant a few seeds to take home and start this gardening season with extra ammunition for your most successful garden ever!

Reservations are required and space is limited.  Reserve your spot early by contacting education@grpg.org or 408-298-7657.

Mid-March is a great time to start planting vegetables in the soil! Master Gardener Bekah Stratton will discuss: recommended spring/summer vegetables; companion planting; raised beds; garden design; crop rotation; French Intensive method; planting edibles in flower beds; amendments and improvements for your soil; correct watering; plant protection, pests and diseases; and tending to the health of your garden.

Free. No registration required.