For the Gardener

The For the Gardener "tip sheet" series and short articles offer information on organic gardening topics. Tip sheets can be downloaded from this page. A list of publications on fruit tree selection and care is available on the For the Fruit Tree Grower page.

 If you would like to receive printed copies of publications in the For the Gardener series, contact us by email or call 831.459-3240.

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Vegetables, Blueberries, and Cane Berries

• 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).

• 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).

• Beets, Spinach, and Chard: Growing a Goosefoot Trio

  Information on how to grow these popular, nutritious crops, along with sources for seeds (6 pages).

• Selecting and Planting Blueberries

  Recommendations on how to select and grow blueberries in the backyard garden (1 page).

• Blueberry Variety Trial at the UCSC Farm

  Describes a trial of 15 blueberry varieties at the UCSC Farm, including cost of production information (2 pages)

• Adding Cane Berries to the Home Garden

  Describes how to site, select, plant, and care for blackberries, raspberries, and other cane berry varieties in the home garden (3 pages).

• A Garlic Primer

  Describes a wide range of garlic varieties and offers ideas for growing this popular crop using organic techniques (6 pages). 

• For the Love of Garlic - An Interview with Pete Rasmussen

  An interview with garlic grower Pete Rasmussen, including tips on selecting and growing garlic in the home garden (3 pages).

• Mini Head Lettuces Offer Gardeners Delicious, Affordable Salad Options

  Information on different types of Mini Head Lettuces and their characteristics (2 pages).

• Onions and Leeks

  Describes techniques for growing onions and leeks, with an emphasis on choosing the varieties appropriate for the day length of your region (4 pages).

• Peas for the Home Garden

  Describes organic cultivation tips for growing peas in the backyard garden. Includes varietal descriptions (6 pages).

• 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).

• 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).

• 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).

• Easy-to-Grow Tarragon

  Tips for growing and using this sprightly herb (1 page).

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Flower Selection, Growing, Harvesting, and Arranging

• Choosing, Growing, and Harvesting Cut Flowers

  Describes the benefits of growing flowers and the  techniques for selecting, planting, harvesting, and extending the vase life of cut flowers (6 pages).

• Flower Arranging 101: The Basics of Bouquet Making

  Describes the basics of putting together a cut flower bouquet (1 page).

• Growing Dahlias (Cocoxochitl) of Every Shape, Size, and Color

  Information on dahlias, including their history, cultural requirements, bulb storage and recommended varieties (4 pages).

• Growing the Easy Annual “Backdoor Bouquet”

  Information on easy-to-grow annual flower species for gardeners on California's Central Coast (2 pages).

• The Allure of Species Roses

  Information on the characteristics of species (Rugosa and Rugosa hybrid) roses, and plant sources (3 pages).

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Soil Fertility, Tillage, Compost, and Cover Crops

• Soil Cultivation: Fundamental Concepts & Goals

  Discusses the basic concepts associated with soil cultivation and garden bed preparation, including organic matter incorporation, nutrient release, and promoting good tilth and structure (4 pages).

• Your Soil – A Primer, with Some Strategies for Sustainable Management

  Introduces the soil’s four basic components and three major properties, discusses  how these interact, and  ways that gardeners and farmers can improve their soils by learning how to become “biological growers.”

• French Intensive Gardening: A Retrospective

  Describes  the techniques associated with the French Intensive Gardening system of bed preparation and planting (4 pages).

• Making Quality Compost

  Describes the benefits, process, and criteria for making a successful compost pile (4 pages).

• 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 (2 pages).

• Choosing and Using Cover Crops in the Home Garden and Orchard

  Information on selecting and using cover crops, including the use of cover crops to improve soil fertility and structure for backyard fruit trees (3 pages).

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General Gardening Topics

• Controlling Small Animal Pests

  Information on how to identify pest presence and methods on how to deal with gophers and other vertebrate pests of the garden (2 pages).

• Fall Gardening Checklist

  A checklist of "to do's" for the fall garden (1 page).

• The Gardening Seasons of Santa Cruz

  Seasonal recommendations for year-round gardening in Santa Cruz (2 pages).

• Seed Sources

  Lists recommended seed companies from throughout the U.S. (2 pages).

• Snail & Slug Control

  Information on how to control snails and slugs with methods that meet organic standards (2 pages).

• Water Conservation Tips

  Offers ideas for water-conserving irrigation techniques in the home garden, including a brief overview of drip irrigation (2 pages).