Call our Master Gardener Help Line
Mondays and Thursdays 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
650-726-9059 x 107
or come in to the office during those times to consult with us.
80 Stone Pine Road # 100
Half Moon Bay
or, send us an e-mail to
Ask A Master Gardener!
Do you have questions about funny little spots on your plants, or an unusual bug flying around your garden? You can get answers to these dilemmas by calling “The Master Gardener Help Line”, (650) 726-9059, Ext. 107. The Help Line is manned every Monday and Thursday wherein you can talk to a “live Master Gardener.” Please note this is a free service. Located in Half Moon Bay, home gardeners are encouraged to call the Help Line, send in their samples of troubled plants, or drop them by the office, located at 80 Stone Pine Road, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019.
San Mateo and San Francisco Counties were some of the last counties (out of 40 counties) to get on the band wagon in the Master Gardener Program in California but we have finally arrived with over 50 volunteers. We are now in our third year. All of these volunteers have completed the University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program. The purpose of our organization is to offer advice to home gardeners; with an emphasis on Integrated Pest Management and environmentally correct practices in dealing with pesticides.
Coastside Invasive Plant Education: During the month of March, in the Entry Hall of the Half Moon Bay Library, Coastside resident and Master Gardener, Shannon Gibbs has created a display on CITE (Coastside Invasive Plant Education). Invasive plants on the coast (as an example, Pampas Grass and Vinca Major) are a constant problem; they can take over open spaces and Shannon’s mission is to educate the public on these invasive plants.
Some of our upcoming events are:
San Mateo County Fair: Last year, the Master Gardening theme was basil tasting, but we answered many questions on home gardening, tomatoes being the “hot topic.”
San Carlos Hanging Baskets: Master Gardeners Claudia Macmillan, Virginia Martin and Tina Murphy will be instructing volunteers on the rebuilding the 89 hanging baskets on Laurel Street on May 10 and 11, 2008. This is a joint effort with the “Adopt a Project” in San Carlos and the Master Gardeners. Through this endeavor, one can learn how to make a hanging basket, which they can put to use in their own garden, and help the City of San Carlos in their continuing effort for the beautification of their downtown.
Farmers Markets: You’ll also see Master Gardeners at various Farmers’ Markets located throughout the peninsula. Master Gardeners have a demonstration garden located at Elkus Ranch in Half Moon Bay. This year, they will be growing some Andean vegetables, and tomatoes grown in a cold section of Half Moon Bay, off Kelly Road last year. They are interested to see how these “cool-weather” tomatoes do in the warmer valley of Elkus Ranch. Also, they will have a “cut flower”, herb and succulent bed. The Master Gardeners will share with the public the knowledge gained in the Demo Garden.
San Carlos Hometown Days: On May 17 and 18, 2008, Master Gardeners will have a booth at the San Carlos Hometown Days Event. The theme is: Mediterranean/Drought Tolerant Gardening. Visit us either on Saturday or Sunday and see how you can reduce your water usage and still have a beautiful garden.
San Mateo Arboretum Plant Clinic: Visit us at the Plant Clinic at the San Mateo Arboretum Kohl Pump House, located at 9th and Palm in San Mateo’s Central Park, from 11:30 to 1:00 pm on the first Sunday of every month. People are encouraged to bring in their “sick” plants for help and advice.
Filoli: If you are a visitor to Filoli, be sure to stop by our booth on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 3:00. This runs from mid-March through October. The public can ask gardening questions.