For the Gardener
Information on Organic Gardening and Fruit Trees - Crop-Specific Publications
Apple Trees for Every Garden
Describes apple rootstocks, training and pruning systems that can be used by backyard gardeners to establish an orchard in a limited space.
Includes information on planting, fertility and rootstock characteristics. 6 pages.pdf file (312K)
Apple Trees of the UCSC Farm Orchard
Lists characteristics of the apple varieties grown on the UC Santa Cruz Farm. Recommends varieties that perform well on California's central coast. 2 pages. pdf file (16K)
Asian Greens Offer Tasty, Easy-to-Grow Source of Nutrition
Describes a variety of Asian greens, including their history, cultural requirements, and recommended varieties. 3 pages.pdf file
Citrus Offers Year-Round Options
Describes the world's major citrus species and recommends those that perform well on California's central coast. Includes information on site selection, planting, nutrient needs and pruning. Lists varietal characteristics. 6 pages. pdf file (344K)
A Garlic Primer
Describes a wide range of garlic varieties and offers ideas for growing this popular crop using organic techniques. 6 pages. pdf file (416K)
Garden Beans Offer Year-Round Source of Great Flavor, Nutrition
Offers growing information for a wide selection of garden beans, including how to put beans to use year-round in the kitchen. 6 pages. pdf file (432K)
Lettuce Offers a Palette of Taste, Textures, and Colors
Offers advice on growing this popular backyard crop, and discusses some of the many types of lettuce varieties available. 6 pages. pdf file (892K)
Onions and Leeks
Describes techniques for growing onions and leeks, with an emphasis on choosing the variety appropriate for the day length of your region. 4 pages. pdf file (192K)
Describes organic cultivation tips for growing peas in the backyard garden. Includes varietal descriptions. 6 pages. pdf file (232K)
Peppers - From Sweet to Fiery
Offers information on climatic requirements, propagation, fertility, and irrigation for sweet and chile peppers. Includes varietal characteristics, recommendations, and seed sources. 6 pages. pdf file (940K)
Potatoes in the Home Garden
Describes methods for growing potatoes without synthetic chemical inputs. Includes discussions of soil fertility, pest control, seed sources and variety characteristics. 6 pages pdf file (532K)
Salad Mixes for the Home Garden
Describes how to grow your own salad mix, including various categories of salad greens, timing, and cultural requirements. Includes recipe ideas. 2 pages. pdf file (608K)
Spinach, Beets and Chard Mixes for the Home Garden
Describes how to grow this popular and healthy trio of "goosefoot" family cool season crops. 6 pages. pdf file (972K)
Stone Fruits
Discusses the various types of stone fruits and some good choices for the home garden, along with growing requirements and cultural advice. 6 pages. pdf file (164K)
Information on Organic Gardening and Orchard Care - General Gardening and Fruit Tree Care Publications
Building Fertile Soil
Offers ideas for ways to improve soil fertility and structure using cover crops, compost and organic amendments. Includes a brief
primer on making compost. 4 pages. pdf file (208K)
Controlling Codling Moth in Backyard Orchards
Presents organically accepted codling moth control techniques for individual trees and small orchards. 4 pages. pdf file (92K)
Cover Crops for the Garden
Describes cover crop uses in the home garden, including tips on varieties and seeding rates. 2 pages. pdf file (112K)
Offers ideas for fall-planted crops on California's Central Coast that can provide vegetables and flowers through the winter months and into spring.
Let Worms Make Your Compost: A Short Guide to Vermicomposting
Introduces the technique of worm composting, an effective compost method that can be used to produce a nutrient-rich soil amendment in a limited space. Includes resource list. 2 pages. pdf file (172K)
Non-Chemical Snail and Slug Control
Offers a 'greatest hits' list of ideas for controlling snails and slugs without synthetic chemical pesticides. 2 pages. pdf file (280K)
Seed Sources
Lists seed companies from throughout the U.S. 2 pages. pdf file (136K)
Selecting and Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees
Provides basic information on selecting, preparing the planting hole, and planting bare root fruit trees. 4 pages. pdf file (696K)
Water Conservation Tips
Offers ideas for water-conserving irrigation techniques, including a brief overview of drip irrigation. 2 pages. pdf file (136K)
The Friends of the UCSC Farm & Garden, in conjunction with the Center for Agroecology & Sustainable Food Systems, offer a number of gardening classes and plant sales each year. To find out more, see the annual Calendar of Events.
