Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys Regional Report

Now's The Time For Heat-Lovers!

May is the ideal month to plant the heat-lovers -- the vegetables and flowers that seem to thrive and bloom more lustily when the weather's hot and sunny. Earlier in spring and later in fall, we coddle them to stretch the seasons, but now is when...
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Sustainable Gardening
Seedling Protection

Fertilize Strawberry Plants
Plant Tender Trees
Fertilize Fruit Trees
Liven Up Shady Areas With Colorful Plants
Choose Drought-Tolerant Shrubs

Water Deeply So Plant Roots Grow Deeply

Early spring is the time to teach plant roots to grow deeply for their life-sustaining water. By consistently providing moist soil deep in their root zones (2 to 12 inches deep), you'll save on time and the amount of water you must give them during...
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Book Discussion and Signing
Checking Depth of Lawn Watering

Deter Tomato Hornworms
Fertilize Veggies Every Six Weeks
Thin Fruits
Fertilize Roses
Invite Beneficial Insects

Glorious Ground Cover

This brilliant magenta ground cover is an annual two-month-long glory on the hillsides in front of and behind our home. The explosion of color inspires gasps of wonder from visitors and the slowing of cars passing by. The color on the back hillside even...
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Annual Spring Sale
Plastic Jugs Make Hotcaps and Irrigation Funnels

Plant Veggies
Include Herbs
Grow Edible Flowers
Plant Tender Fruit Trees
Mow Lawns Often

Spring Care of Fruit Trees

Early spring care of fruit trees includes planting heat-lovers and not hurrying deciduous ones. Citrus and avocado trees do best when they're planted from late this month through May, as the weather warms up. Choose a southwest exposure that's...
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38th Annual Green Scene Plant and Garden Show
Removing Transplants

Plant an Array of Lettuces
Transplant Cool-Season Veggies and Bare-Root Fruits
Give Veggies Needed Sun
Fertilize Lawns
Multiplying Perennials

Asparagus, Food of the Gods

Those slender spears are succulent and delicately tasty, certainly welcome after a winter of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and lettuce. But some problems may arise, and here are some things to consider for more successful crops over the coming years,...
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12th Annual Herb Festival
Use Beautiful, Drought-Tolerant Plants

Plant Veggies Indoors and Out
Starting Herbs
Don't Soak Seeds Prior to Sowing
Planting the First Summer Bulbs
Prune and De-Bug Roses

Planting Tomatoes

Betting that the soil will warm quickly as a result of our recent almost-80 air temperatures, you may want to plant some small tomato plants as soon as they're available in the nurseries, just to assure early and strong growth in the garden. For the...
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Monster Tomato and Pepper Sale
Paint Bucket as Weed Collector

Plant Bulbs for Early Summer Color
Save Gift Amaryllis
Fertilize Landscape Plants
Start Mowing
Finish Heavy Pruning

Blooms Aplenty

Glorious mid-February blooms from around the color wheel are a most welcome sight following our wonderful rains. Those rains came down perfectly, with light sprinkles and some downpours interspersed with time for the soil to drain just enough for the...
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African Violet Show and Sale
Asparagus Fork for Weeding

Sow Veggies
Transplant More Cole Crops
Plant White Potatoes
Planting the Right Carrots for Your Soil Type
Spray Dormant Oil on Fruit Trees

Pruning Fruit Trees

Now through mid-February is prime time for pruning fruit and nut trees. Beginners may prefer to do it once the first buds start growing so they can better see what they're doing. Basic guidelines for dormant pruning are to remove crowded or crossed...
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Elegant Silvers: Foliage in the Garden
Use the Bottom of the Milk Jug

Start Tomatoes and Peppers Indoors
Prune Cane Berries
Dig Wide Planting Holes for Trees
Spray Dormant Oil
Let Your Lawns Breathe

Roses, Wonderful Roses

Now through mid-February is bare-root rose planting time. So it's time to pick your favorites. Don't know where to begin? How about choosing based on scent? The seven basic scents most often found in hybrid tea roses are apple, clover, lemon,...
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Resources

All About Leaves
Plastic Milk Jug Greenhouses

Transplant Perennial Veggies Now
Mix in Manure
Plant Grapes and Berry Vines
Plant Strawberries
Don't Prune Spring Bloomers

Resolution Time in the Garden

My annual garden resolutions are easy for me to keep since they're borne of my previous year's garden experiences. I hope these will give you some ideas for your own resolutions. 1. Keep a checklist of monthly garden tasks that need doing. I've...
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Pruning Fruit Trees
Holiday Tree Branches Become Pea Stakes

Sow These Veggies Outdoors
Sow These Veggies Indoors
Plant Garlic and Onion Sets
Scatter Posies Outdoors
Sow Flower Seeds Indoors

Make Your Own Wreath or Garland

Wreaths and garlands, valance hangings, and table decorations resplendent in fruits and leaves of the season, graced with velvet and ribbons, or simply highlighted with a solitary ornament; these glories are easy to make and wonderful to receive. In...
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Resources

Rose Pruning Demonstration
Purslane, the Edible Weed

Harvest Winter Lettuce Leaf by Leaf
Transplant Perennial Veggies, Berries, Grapes
Plan for Color
Clean Up Garden Debris
Cover the Compost Pile

Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys Regional Report

Now's The Time For Heat-Lovers!

Resources

Reminders

Water Deeply So Plant Roots Grow Deeply

Resources

Reminders

Glorious Ground Cover

Resources

Reminders

Spring Care of Fruit Trees

Resources

Reminders

Asparagus, Food of the Gods

Resources

Reminders

Planting Tomatoes

Resources

Reminders

Blooms Aplenty

Resources

Reminders

Pruning Fruit Trees

Resources

Reminders

Roses, Wonderful Roses

Resources

Reminders

Resolution Time in the Garden

Resources

Reminders

Make Your Own Wreath or Garland

Resources

Reminders