In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners

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Fire! Wildfire season is not a “season” anymore in California. Simple brush fires can quickly become structure fires consuming your most precious possessions in the blink of an eye. This week on “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”, Master Gardener Darrin Vallone brings you a most timely show on what you can do to make your home and property fire safe! Darrin sat down with Nathan Babbitt, Senior Fire Prevention Specialist with the Orange County Fire Authority Wildfire Mitigation Unit, to discuss keeping the exterior and landscaping of your home fire safe. If you live in fire-prone sections of Orange County, California, or other parts of the world, learn just how vulnerable you really are and what you can, and in some cases MUST, do to reduce risk. Learn the 4-Rs and the 6-Ps and all the resources to review beyond this program. Be safe!

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Discover the beauty, benefits, and importance of California native plants in the latest episode of In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, titled “California Native Plants: Bringing California Back to Life.” Master Gardener host Bill Brooks interviews Wyatt McLean of Channel Islands Restoration’s Native Plant Nursery in Santa Barbara, California, to explore how native plants can help restore natural landscapes, support wildlife, and protect the environment. What exactly is a native plant, and why does it matter? In this informative episode, listeners learn what distinguishes native plants from introduced species, how to propagate native plants, and how to plant them successfully. The discussion highlights the importance of selecting plants suited to local conditions and understanding the role native vegetation plays in healthy, resilient ecosystems. Although the conversation focuses on California, the lessons apply to gardeners everywhere. Native plants are adapted to the environmental conditions of their home regions and can provide essential habitat and food for local wildlife, including pollinators and birds. By incorporating native plants into home gardens and community landscapes, gardeners can help conserve biodiversity, support local ecosystems, and contribute to environmental restoration. McLean also discusses the important work of Channel Islands Restoration, an organization dedicated to restoring native habitats on California’s Channel Islands and the mainland. Discover how native plants can transform landscapes, restore habitats, and help bring nature back to life in California and beyond.

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Antioxidants - it’s a term so widely tagged to so many foods lately. We’re discussing just about the best plant to grow in your garden for antioxidants on “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”. This show is all about Blueberries. UC Orange County Master Gardener David Letourneau talked with Ramiro Lobo, a University of California Small Farms & Agricultural Economics Advisor in San Diego County. Southern Highbush Blueberries grow extremely well around here! Learn what varieties grow best and how to care for them in terms of pruning, feeding and pest control. What applies in Southern California is useful in other regions of the world, too. Here’s one tip: reddish leaves in spring could indicate pH problems. In the fall, the color is expected! Happy planting!

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Bring a splash of purple and pink (and several other colors) to your home with African violets! In this episode of In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, we talk with African violet expert and competition show judge Leonard Re about the secrets to growing these beautiful, colorful indoor flowering plants. Learn how to choose healthy plants, select the right soil, use fertilizers effectively, master watering techniques, and propagate African violets to grow your collection. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, you’ll discover practical tips to keep your plants thriving and blooming. We’ll also explore African violet organizations, clubs, and other resources to help you connect with fellow enthusiasts and expand your knowledge. Listen and discover how to enjoy these charming blooms all year long!

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Summer is over now yet it seems the heat will never end here in Southern California! This week on “In The Garden with UC Master Gardeners”, Teena and Katrina get you out in the garden to start the tasks that you have been planning since last month’s episode. Three basic tasks for the month are first, finish cleaning up. Next, do what it takes to get your soil in good shape. If new to gardening, testing the soil for any deficiencies is a great way to set a foundation for future years of great gardening. Add amendments and fertilizers according to what you intend to plant. And lastly, start planting those varieties you’ve been thinking about all September long. Cool season veggies thrive in the southwest. This is the time in most climate zones to plant winter flowers, spring bulbs, natives, and wildflowers. You’ll learn a bit about Climate Zones, too. Here’s a harvest tip: Pick your produce in the morning!

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This week on In The Garden with UC Master Gardeners, Master Gardener Marilyn Johnson talks to Master Gardener Teena Spindler about her self-professed early LOVE of Bulbs! We are talking about Fall-Planted Bulbs for Spring Bloom! The word “Bulb” is the most common term for a plant that has an underground or near underground storage organ or structure. Corms, rhizomes, tubers, and tuberous roots are other types of under soil organs that generate some of your favorite flowers. September through November is the time to obtain and plant those spring-bloomers like Dutch Iris, Daffodils, and Freesia as they are the easiest bulb choices to start your bulb adventure! But be aware of those that like chill such as Tulips and Crocus. In parts of the world that have mild winters, gardeners need to provide the chill. Learn about care, tips, and fertilizing, too.

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Think you don’t have enough room to grow your own fruit? Think again! In this episode of In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners on 88.9 FM KUCI, Master Gardener Mark Oertel interviews John McNeill of the Orange County Chapter of the Rare Fruit Growers. John, who has lived around the world, has transformed his own yard from a tropical garden into an impressive collection of fruit trees growing in containers. His favorite container is the half-wine barrel—and he can grow two or even three fruit trees in a single barrel! John explains why growing fruit in containers can be an easy and practical option for gardeners with limited space. Container-grown trees can be moved, managed and maintained more easily, and there’s an added safety benefit: many fruit trees can be kept at a manageable height, reducing the need to climb a ladder to harvest your fruit. If you have a small yard, patio, balcony or just want to try growing something different, discover how you can enjoy fresh homegrown fruit—even when space is limited!

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Master Gardener host Mark Oertel talks with Leah Beattie of Laguna Hills Nursery about all the exciting vegetable garden varieties available for cool season gardens in this edition of “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”. Leah grew up in the nursery business and has many heartwarming stories. Learn about general garden favorites like onions, garlic, radishes, cole crops, strawberries, passion fruit just to name a few. October is the month to begin a cool season vegetable garden in places like coastal California and in the southern states - basically in USDA zones 9-11. In regions of the world with colder weather, cool season vegetables can be planted in the spring or summer. No doubt wherever you live, there are new, exciting cool season vegetable varieties on the market to enjoy. Get inspired!

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This week on “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”, we take you to a remarkable success story of pairing core elementary school learning and a school garden. Master Gardener Bill Brooks traveled to Laguna Beach’s Top of the World Elementary School and talked with fellow Master Gardener and teacher Kelly Osborne. Imagine that through a simple school garden, the varied concepts of Mathematics, History and Social Studies, and of course, Science are incorporated into this remarkable outdoor classroom. Learning outdoors is a key element of student excitement and engagement. The sense of pride when the students see their garden’s bounty featured in the school cafeteria is immeasurable. The surrounding community also benefits and contributes when they purchase the products and produce made and grown at the Top of the World School Garden’s Farmer’s Market.

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It is time for another installment of what to do in the garden this month for the month of September on “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”. Despite the likelihood of heat outside, work may be necessary to start CLEANING UP the garden. Out with the old! Prep for transition to Cool Season color and crops. Be aware of the Fire Season danger potential. Look for bulbs now for planting in October. Dethatch your lawn or consider PLANS for removing lawn in exchange for drought-tolerant plantings. That project will take more than just plant material! Irrigation is a giant part of the plan for lawn removal. Next month, we’ll say “IN WITH THE NEW” as October will be a better month to plant! UC Master Gardeners Teena and Katrina are at their best giving advice on monthly garden tasks.

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Don’t think you have space to garden? Think again! This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, you will learn lots of tips and tricks to grow veggies and ornamentals in small spaces. Master Gardeners Sally Richards and Ann Liu got together to chat about small-space gardening perfect for college students and anyone living in the densely populated townhome, condominium, or apartment complexes.

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Not to be confused with the chocolate treat, today on In The Garden with UC Master Gardeners, we are talking about Truffles - the mysterious yet delectable underground fungus. Truffles are mycorrhizal fungi which play an important role in the health of soil. The truffle/tree relationship is beneficial for both the environment and for the tree. Because they grow underground, their aroma and flavor are tantalizing to both humans and animals. Today we’ll learn about how truffles are being cultivated and then how to cook and enjoy them. UC Master Gardener Host Bill Brooks recently spent this episode with his expert guests located across the country - Dr. Tom Michaels, trained as a Plant Pathologist and expert on EVERYTHING Mushroom and Truffle-related. Dr. Michaels will entice the science buff listeners in what is known and NOT known about truffles. Also, joining the program is Susi Gott Séguret, author, chef, fiddler, forager, and Certified Culinary Professional to name a few aspects of her expertise. This episode is one of a kind!

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Now is your chance to understand the classic example of METAMORPHOSIS! Simply imagined, the word means changing structure, form, or substance. A word which applies to this process could be “supernatural”. We’ll look at the lifespan of the creatures we see during the life cycle that produces, arguably, the most beautiful garden inhabitants in Southern California gardens. Today, Master Gardener Bill Brooks talks to fellow Master Gardener, biologist, and ecologist Tracey Rice and they discuss the magical Monarch Butterfly! You’ll learn what they eat and why? Why does a gardener want to plant what they eat? What else can people do to help sustain the fragile ecosystem of this vulnerable creature? We are calling this episode of In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners “Monarchs and Milkweed”. With that title, look forward to finding out the unbreakable connection between your favorite butterfly and the food it requires.

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What does gardening have to do with the University of California? Quite a lot! The latest episode of In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners explores the science, education and community service behind the UC Master Gardener Program. In “Rooted in Research: The UC Master Gardener Program,” host Bill Brooks talks with Randy Musser, Program Coordinator for the Master Gardeners of Orange County, about the many ways the University of California helps Californians make informed decisions about gardening, agriculture, natural resources and environmental stewardship. The program highlights the work of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), the University of California Cooperative Extension, and the UC Master Gardener Program. Listeners will learn how UC research is translated into practical, research-based information that can be used by gardeners, homeowners, schools and communities throughout California. Musser also discusses what Master Gardeners do, how the program serves the public through workshops and educational outreach, and what it takes to become a UC Master Gardener. Tune in to discover how a statewide network of university researchers, educators and volunteers is helping Californians grow healthier gardens and communities—while putting science to work right in the backyard. In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners airs Thursdays from 8:30–9:30 a.m. on KUCI 88.9 FM in Irvine.

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Gardening is more than a hobby—it’s a natural way to nourish both the body and mind. Growing your own fruits and vegetables makes it easier to enjoy fresh, nutrient-rich produce picked at its peak, while spending time in the garden connects us with the living world around us. Healthy garden soil contains diverse communities of beneficial microorganisms, and our interaction with natural environments may support a healthy relationship with the microbes that live around and on us. Gardening is exercise, too. Digging, planting, weeding, lifting, and walking through the garden build strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance. Reaching, bending, and stretching as we care for plants can keep our bodies moving in ways that feel productive rather than like a workout. Perhaps one of gardening’s greatest benefits is mental health. Being outdoors, working with plants, watching seeds grow, and enjoying the sights and smells of a garden can help reduce stress, encourage mindfulness, and provide a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Join Master Gardeners Bill and Artemesia to explore how gardening may be one of the healthiest things you can do - because when you grow a garden, you are growing a healthier you, too.

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Where do most plants come from? Well, SEEDS, of course! So now is the time to start your cool season garden from seed. For this topic called “Seed Starting for the Fall Season”, UC Master Gardener Dece Morgan talks to fellow Master Gardener Teena Spindler about the most inexpensive way to start a bountiful vegetable garden. Some seeds don’t take much to germinate but others may take a little coaxing. The key is consistent water (soil moisture). Start now to prepare for California’s second growing season coming up!.

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This week on “In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners”, it’s ‘This Month in the Garden’ for August. UC Master Gardeners Katrina Kirkeby and Teena Spindler are back to help you get through the heart of summer with tips for your garden. Unless you live right on the coast, Just “Say No” to thoughts of planting most varieties of permanent landscape plants. BUT … Just “Say Yes” to Bananas! If you have the space and a good source of water and fertilizer, you can be successful and have your own fruit in a little over a year. Katrina and Teena always have a great time sharing their gardening experience with you every month on the “In the Garden” that always airs on the first Thursday of the month at 8:30 a.m. PST on 88.9 KUCI Irvine if you are in our broadcast area. You can also find our show on this podcast platform or on our website KUCI.org/listen.

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This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, UC Master Gardener Ann Liu traveled to and interviewed Michael Dehart, Grounds and Gardens Supervisor at the Getty Villa in Malibu, California. Together, they take listeners through a tour of the four gardens: Outer/Inner Peristyles, Herb Garden, and East Garden. You’ll note that this show was recorded before the devastating fires in 2025. Imagine this! J. Paul Getty’s inspiration for this site was the Villa of Papyri (Scrolls) near the ancient Vesuvius eruption site . How similar are the consequences between the eruption and the wildfire? How rich is the Greek and Roman mythology and culture woven into garden design and plant selections. Imagine how Roman citizens ate many of the same fruits and vegetables we enjoy today.

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The most direct way for kids to learn is through play. Kids love to play in the dirt! Right? So what better combination can there be but to pair up school with a garden? This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, MG and KUCI Staff Host Bill Brooks talks to fellow MG Joanne Byrd about the magic of School Gardens. School gardens are becoming popular in schools lately and many, many benefits have been discovered after connecting a garden curriculum with the student’s academic success. How is that happening? Bill and Joanne will discuss that plus planning/developing, installing, and maintaining the type of garden best suited for the particular school. The big consideration of FUNDING sources will be covered. Tips and tricks for building and sustaining the school garden will round out the program.

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This week on In the Garden with UC Master Gardeners, we air a much-needed show on the topic of pest control. Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is the primary tenet of Master Gardeners’ philosophy regarding pests. The key word is “INTEGRATED”. According to the UCANR.edu website, Integrated Pest Management is “a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment.” Master Gardener Sally Richards met with retired UCANR advisor Dr. Cheryl Wilan to talk about pesticides – their labels and proper use. Plus, some direct methods like squishing, squashing, and drowning! All methods are part of Integrated Pest Management! Just as your plants are hungry now, so are the pests that bother your plants. Feed the plants and you are, in turn, feeding those bugs that eat the fresh new growth. Stay on top of them the moment you spot them. Look up what you find on our UC IPM (Integrated Pest Management) website for specific pest notes at Pest Notes Library / Home and Landscape / UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM). Another indispensable resource is our Hotline Gardening Questions? - Ask Us! | UC Master Gardeners of Orange County.