UC Master Gardeners of Kern County

We have an informational session tomorrow! Please come by to our UCCE Kern County Office for more information on our program!

With our hot summers and ongoing need to conserve water, it's not just about how much you water—it's about how well your soil holds onto that water.

Check out this quick guide to how different soil types affect water retention. The right soil can help you water more efficiently, grow healthier plants, and make every drop count.

What have you done to improve your soil's ability to retain water? Let us know in the comments.

It's time to start thinking about seed-saving for next year's garden.

Top 6 tips for seed saving:

1. Save seeds from healthy plants and healthy produce. Choose your best plants to save seeds from.

2. Grow open-pollinated vegetables and herbs for seed saving.

3. Know which plants self-pollinate and which cross-pollinate.

4. Let seeds mature on the plant before collecting.

5. Clean and dry seeds, then store in a cool/cold and dry environment.

6. Label and date seed packets.

For more info: https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-santa-clara-county/seed-saving-basics

Photo: "Community Seed Swap" by Howard County Library System is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Tip: Resist the urge to overwater on hot afternoons!

Master Gardener Eugene Wong explains, on hot afternoons, it is natural to see some plant with droopy leaves. It is also natural to want to immediately give it some water. But stop, just for a moment. Poke a finger into the soil near the root to see if the soil is still moist. If it is moist, wait until the next morning to water the plant.

What may be happening is the wilting is only temporary for plants that have adequate soil moisture on hot days. Many plants with large leaves such as squash, cucumber, sunflower, and many others may droop because they cannot absorb water fast enouh through their roots to replace the water lost through their leaves.

Adding water at this time is not necessary and may actually be harmful to the plant in some case since the extra water may prevent oxygen from reaching the roots. Plants will often recover in the evening as it cools down. One of the reasons to water plants early in the morning is to allow the soil to partially dry out and allow oxygen to refill tiny airspaces in the soil. Roots take in this oxygen from the soil as part of its processes to make use of available nutrients. Suffocating roots contribute to poor growth and may kill the plant.

Photo description: wilted zucchini leaves in the hot afternoon sun

Did you miss our last informational session? We have two more left! Please note that attending a session is required for your application to be considered for the program.

These sessions ensure you have a full understanding of the program's requirements and expectations, and they are a great opportunity to get your questions answered.

Please register through, linktr.ee/ucmgkern or through the link in our bio!

If you have any questions, please feel free to send us a DM!

We have additional photos from current volunteers of the UC Master Gardeners of Kern County.

1st Picture - "Thyme for Figs"
2nd Picture - Bounty from the Garden "Potato Dinner"
3rd Picture - Season's over

We hope everyone has been having a great summer! Here are a view photos from our UC Master Gardeners' gardens!

August Garden Tips by UC Master Gardener Cassaundra

August gardening in Kern County can be brutal. From disease pressure to pests and the relentless heat, this is not the month to expect perfection. The two main goals of August are to keep your plants alive, and start preparing for your fall garden.

Focus on survival. Water plants deeply and add mulch to keep soil temperatures down and retain moisture. Add shade where you can during the hottest part of the day. Stay on top of pests and disease. Stressed plants are more vulnerable to pests and disease, so early intervention is important.

Avoid heavy fertilizing, unnecessary pruning, and transplanting. Forcing new growth and exposing tender growth to the intense heat and sun, can cause more harm than good.

If you are tempted to plant something new, focus on heat-tolerant options like squash and basil. Otherwise, this is the month we start looking ahead to our fall garden.

August is the perfect time to start onions from seed. In Kern County, we can grow short-day or intermediate-day onions; be sure to choose the right variety for our region. Start planning and purchasing seeds for your fall garden. Late August is the time to start seeds indoors for crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale.

Do not forget your flowers! Many flowers such as foxglove, hollyhocks, and poppies, perform best when sown in the fall. Buy your seeds now and place them in the refrigerator for 30 days to improve germination.

August is about taking care of what you have and setting yourself up for a strong fall season.



Photo Credit: UC Master Gardener Cassaundra
Photo Description: Summer harvest of yardlong beans, zucchini, various tomatoes, peppers, and carrots in a white sink in the background with a blue transparent strip on the right side that reads UC Master Gardeners of Kern County, August Garden Tips, by UC Master Gardener Cassaundra

Our applications will only be open up until August 31st! Please attend one of our upcoming Zoom Informational Sessions on August 6th and 19th, or come to our In-Person Session on August 12!

Can't wait to see you!

Links for your convenience:

Application: https://ucanr.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6AnCSFSixO0Ns34

August 6 6PM- 7PM Zoom Informational Session: https://ucanr.zoom.us/meeting/register/Y-DaWYlGQ86MyOAJw0W1hg #/registration

August 12 5:30PM - 6:30PM Informational Session - In Person at the UCCE Kern County Office

August 19 6PM -7PM Zoom Informational Session: https://ucanr.zoom.us/meeting/register/ZY5r9VIERo-07uN3aQV3gQ #/registration

UC Master Gardener Program Application Form - Statewide SAMPLE The UC Master Gardener Program mission is “to extend research-based knowledge and information on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices to the residents of California and be guided by our core values and strategic initiatives.” Join us!