When I was a young kid imbued with the notion that most bugs are bad, I likely killed a few garden friends. I knew that lady beetles were good guys or gals and praying mantis were also friends. When I was in first grade, I took a mantis egg case, which is scientifically, termed an […]
It is time to think about getting vegetables planted for delicious summer meals and for next winter too, if you have enough to freeze or can. Many homeowners are reduced to small back yards so having a large garden may not be possible, but room for a few tomatoes, peppers, zucchini or eggplants are often […]
Are you feeling homebound after the edict by our Governor to stay home? Here is something that will help reduce your anxiety level and deal with the threat posed by the Coronavirus. Enjoy some gardening which is a well-known stress reducer. I have not been feeling anxious about the virus because I have been busy […]
I have grown dahlias for a lot of years and I am still learning how to be successful at propagating this plant from tubers. Dahlias come in various nuances of colors, sizes, and forms and they bloom starting in June continuing to November. Last year I had about 150 Dahlias. They are a bit perplexing […]
Zinnias are the work horses of the cutting flower garden. They are easy to grow and have a short time from planting to bloom time. They attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds so are a great addition to a pollinator-attracting garden. I have done some flower show judging at fairs and the first time that I […]
If you like cooking with fresh herbs you can easily grow many of your own in containers or in the garden. This is much more convenient than going to the store because a recipe you want to try dictates this or that fresh herbal ingredient. Starting herbs from seed is not difficult, but purchasing young […]
Winter is still with us, but it is time to think about the plants that we will plant this spring. Three that immediately come to mind for me are tomatoes, eggplant and peppers, a trio of vegetables in the Solanaceae family that are widely planted for summer cuisine. All are tropical plants and thrive in […]
It is almost winter or what counts for that mild season in California; a good time for taking stock of our gardens and plan for next year. What do I want to plant for next year? What seeds do I order and do I want to change the landscape or some aspects thereof next year? […]
Winter time is here and it is time to think about pruning our ornamentals, roses and fruit trees. Crape myrtles (Lagerstroemia indica) are a wonderful ornamental tree commonly planted in our area. It has bark that is attractive; blooms from about July until fall in colors of white, pink, purple, crimson and comes in a range […]
Recently, Andrew Carmichael, a Master Gardeners who is also a certified arborist among many other accomplishments provided our monthly meeting education lecture. He spoke about the aesthetics of trees and about how if you really love trees you will both care about them and care for them. I was in total agreement with his views […]