California Master Gardener Handbook, Second Edition

Science-Based Gardening for California Conditions

California Master Gardener Handbook, Second Edition is a substantial, research-based reference built for people who want dependable horticultural guidance rather than general gardening trivia. Edited by Dennis R. Pittenger for the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, it brings together the practical knowledge behind the UC Master Gardener program in one wide-ranging volume.

The book is especially strong as a working handbook. It moves from core foundations such as soils, fertilizer management, water, and propagation into plant pathology, insects, weeds, and safe pest management. Later chapters focus on the crops and garden settings many California gardeners care about most: vegetables, grapes, berries, temperate tree fruit and nuts, citrus, avocados, lawns, woody landscape plants, and landscape design.

What the Handbook Covers

• Soil, fertilizer, and water management
• Plant propagation and plant pathology
• Insects, weeds, and safe pest control
• Home vegetable gardening and edible crops
• Landscape plants, lawns, and garden design
• Problem diagnosis and poisonous plants

Built for Practical Use

Chapters are arranged as stand-alone units, so the handbook works well as both a training text and an on-the-bench reference. Supporting features such as the glossary, useful conversions, bibliography sections, and index make it easier to find answers quickly when you are planning, diagnosing, or refining garden care.

A Strong Fit for Serious Gardeners

If your interest in gardening is tied to California climates, landscapes, and crops, this edition offers unusually broad coverage in a single place. It is a serious reference for Master Gardeners, home gardeners, and horticulture-minded readers who value clear, science-based guidance.

Publication note: This title is the second edition of the UC ANR handbook, published as Publication 3382.