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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.