Calendar
11/14/08 UCIPM Kiosk at Home Depot
02/19/09 2009 Class Begins
More Information

The University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program is a voluntary educational program. The purpose is to teach people more about home horticulture and to share research-based information produced by the University with the public. The Master Gardener role is primarily that of “educator"

 

ASPCA Toxic Plants Lists

10 Most Common Poisonous Plants
Toxic Plants
Toxic Plants: Horses

 

New Master Gardener Class

The University of California Master Gardener Program of San Luis Obispo County is looking for a few good volunteers!  

  • Do you love to garden?
  • Do you want to learn more about plants and gardening?
  • Would you like to participate in a practical and intensive training program?
  • Do you want to share your knowledge with others in our community?
  • Do you have any special skills that you might contribute?
  • Do you have enough time to attend the training and complete the volunteer work?

    If you answered yes to these questions, the Master Gardener Program could be for you.

    2009 Class Flyer

    Application (due by November 21!)

Frosty Freeze
 
By Mary Bianchi, UC Farm Advisor

Q            What do the various terms related to frost and chilling hours mean?  When can we expect our first hard frost?
RF - San Luis Obispo

A            Every gardener wants to know when he or she can expect the first and last frosts of the season, especially during this warm fall. There are different levels of frost that are helpful for gardeners to understand. 
            For example, the term "First and Last Frost" refers to the days when the temperature drops to 32o F for the first and last times of the winter. The term "Hard Frost" refers to the days when the temperature drops to 28o F for the first and last times of the winter. Sometimes you might read about a "28 Degree Growing Season". This refers to the number of days per year that can be expected to consecutively stay above 28 o F. And finally, "Chill Hours" refers to the number of hours accumulated on a daily basis that fall between 32 o F and 45 o F per season. 
            Most deciduous fruit trees need at least 400 hours of chilling during the winter months of November through February 15 to achieve vigorous growth and set fruit the following season.
            So when, on average, do the dates of frost and hard frost occur in San Luis Obispo County? If you're in Paso Robles, expect to see first and last frost around November 17th and April 7th. You might see the last hard frost the first week of March. Expect a 280 day growing season and about 877 chill hours. 
            If you're in Pismo Beach or San Luis Obispo, you might celebrate New Year's Eve with the first frost and Valentine's Day with the last, since those are the average dates of first and last frost. You enjoy a 350 day growing season but only about 180 hours of chilling in Pismo and 227 chill hours in SLO.
 
            Remember that there are many microclimates in our county that will affect the occurrence of frost in your garden. Contact Master Gardeners for more information on how to winterize your garden, or on chill hours for fruit trees.

Programs

Master Gardener Helpline
The Helpline program provides expert advice to SLO county communities. Offices are in Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, and Templeton.

Master Gardener Training Program
Master Gardener applicants, once accepted into the program, are trained experts in various aspects of horticulture and plant science.

SLO County Farmer's Markets
Master Gardener volunteers provide expert advice at SLO county Farmer's Markets

Garden Based Learning
Master Gardener volunteers work with school garden programs.

Demonstration Gardens
San Luis Obispo Master Gardeners have developed and maintain several demonstration gardens in different climate zones in the county.

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