Many cool season vegetables can be planted in our South County gardens in the fall. During our winters, nature helps with the watering, and there are fewer weeds and pests. Cool season vegetables include broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, kale and beets. The UCCE Master Gardeners have Fall Garden Markets scheduled in Gilroy and Morgan Hill, with varieties especially well-suited to the southern end of the county.
The first Fall Garden Market will be at the South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden, on the grounds of St. Louise Hospital on Monday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon. The date was scheduled at the request of the workers at St. Louise, but the event is open to anyone who wants to purchase plants.
The second Fall Garden Market will be on Saturday, Oct. 8 in the parking lot of Guglielmo Winery on Main Street, across from Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. At both markets, we will accept cash or checks only. Checks may be made payable to Friends of the Master Gardeners or FOMG.
If you haven’t visited the South County Teaching and Demonstration Garden, this is the perfect time to visit. It’s the southernmost UC Master Gardener project in Santa Clara County, serving residents of south San Jose, Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy. Located on the campus of St. Louise Hospital in Gilroy, the garden is approximately one-third of an acre. It consists of 10 raised beds, a number of growing mounds, including one for drought-tolerant ornamentals, a native plant garden area, a handicap gardening area, several wine barrels for container gardening, a 28-tree fruit orchard, an espalier area and composting facility (both standard and worm composting). Additionally, we conduct limited soil and plant trials to determine what grows best in South County and how best to grow it. Come talk to us and get tips for success with winter vegetables.
Janet Enright is a UCCE master gardener, bay-friendly qualified landscape professional, and QWEL (qualified water efficient landscaper)-certified professional. Call the group’s hotline at (408) 282-3105, Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or visit https://www.mastergardeners.org/ask-a-question for help with your garden problems.
Monday, Sept. 26
ST. LOUISE HOSPITAL – SOUTH COUNTY TEACHING AND DEMONSTRATION GARDENÂ
10 a.m. to noon
9400 No Name Uno, Gilroy
Saturday, Oct. 8
GUGLIELMO WINERY
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
1480 E. Main St, Morgan Hill
UC Master Gardeners will be available to answer your questions. For more information, go to mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/events/fall-garden-markets/
