Southern California Coastal & Inland Valleys
May, 2010
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
Maui Sunshine
Coneflowers ( Echinacea ) have always been beautiful, easy-care additions to the perennial garden. But in the last few years breeders have given us all sorts of new choices in flower color, form...
Putting the Squeeze on Carbon Emissions
Over a year ago, PepsiCo partnered with the environmental auditing firm Carbon Trust to determine the carbon footprint of its Tropicana Pure Premium® orange juice. Much to their surprise, the...
Fighting Hunger with Corn Research
Corn is a diet staple in many parts of the developing world, including sub-Saharan Africa. But unfortunately most varieties of this vital grain are low in carotenoids, which our bodies convert to...
Pocket Gardening
Is it time to repaint, but you're having a hard time picking out a color? How about green- plants that is? Woolly Pocket Wally planters are flexible, breathable, modular gardening containers that...
In the Garden
Summer Fruit Tree Care
Fruit tree "suckers" (growing from the base of the plant or tree) or "watersprouts" (growing straight up from a branch) compete for water and nutrients but bear no flowers or fruit. On citrus, these wayward shoots have long thorns and leaves that look...
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Resources
Web Finds
California Rare Fruit Growers A wonderfully thorough web resource for subtropical fruit trees is California Rare Fruit...
Clever Gardening Technique
Plastic cages from tomato/strawberry baskets Use plastic baskets from cherry tomatoes or strawberries to protect newly-sprouted seedlings such...
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Regional Reminders
- Snip, don't pull, spent pea vines
- Sprinkle tomato hornworms
- Stop irrigating when garlic, onions and shallots begin drying
- Fertilize strawberries
- Leave spring-blooming bulb foliage
