Vegetables, Eucalyptus, Clay Soil, and Fruit Trees

Dear Pat,
I live in Del Mar near Fairbanks Ranch, and I’d like to get some of your thoughts on gardening and adding some new organic fruits, herbs, and vegetables to my house to feed us!  My goal is to turn a portion of my property into a full blown garden.  The challenges [...]

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Vegetable Gardening and Edibles in a New Garden

Be sure to choose fruit trees well adapted to your mild climate zone, which is probably Zone 23, the thermal belt of the coastal zones which is right next to the coastal fog belt, Zone 24. Sunset Western Garden Book has excellent lists. Be sure to follow the recommendations. Don’t try growing something in the [...]

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Chipped Eucalyptus Wood and Leaves from Tree Trimmers

Contrary to public opinion, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using the contents of tree-trimmers chippers as mulch, even if the source is eucalyptus. All wood eventually rots and becomes part of the soil. Eucalyptus chippings make an excellent and low cost mulch. Not only does it often come free of charge, but also it [...]

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Sun and Shade in a New Garden

The pattern of sun and shade in a garden is one of the most important things a gardener should study when first moving into a new house. It’s wise to study the exposures and which way one’s house faces whether north, south, east or west. Consider all sides of the house and the trees also [...]

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Dealing with Clay Soil

Clay soil is not poor soil but actually has mineral richness just waiting to be unlocked with applications of humic acid combined with healthy organic methods. The fact that it holds water can be a benefit at times. Please see pages 18 to 24 of my new organic month by month book for advice how [...]

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Fruit Trees

The main reasons for fruit trees “not being amazing” are incorrect watering, inadequate fertilizer, application of fertilizers at the wrong time of year, incorrect pruning for the variety, under-pruning or over-pruning, and most importantly not choosing the right varieties in the first place. My new organic book goes into depth on all these subjects so [...]

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Container-grown Cape Honeysuckle with Wet Feet

Q: A couple years ago I bought a 5 foot staked cape cod honeysuckle, (orange trumpet clusters). It is in a 3 foot tall 18 inch wide plastic container on my balcony. I live in P.B. across from the bird sanctuary, southern exposure. It grew and developed into a lush fabulous dense [...]

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Summer Squash

Tips And Hints For Growing Easy-Care Warm-Season Crops
Planting months: April-August Spacing: Thion to 18 inches apart Special Tips: Grow mildew resistant varieties along coast.
Harvesting:frequently to prevent overgrown fruit. Cook male flowers also.
Recommended Varieties: Sunburst Hybrid, SpaceSaver, Kuta, Sunglo, Spineless Beauty.
Step-By-Step Method For Growing Great Organic Vegetables By Pat Welsh Author Of : Pat Welsh’s Southern [...]

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Best planting month

Next to October, March is the best planting month of the year. If you planted cool-season flowers last fall, however, your borders are already overflowing. So take advantage of March’s other virtue: It’s the first month of the year for planting summer vegetables. As soon as the ground is no longer soggy, dig up a [...]

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New Zealand Spinach

Tips And Hints For Growing Easy-Care Warm-Season Crops
Planting months: March-July Spacing: thin plants to 12 iches, rows 2 feet Special Tips: Soak seeds overnight Harvesting:Cut top sprouts 4 to 5 inches long, plants regrow, are invasive inland. Steam, stir fry, or eat raw. May continue to grow year-round. Recommended Varieties: just one kind.
Step-By-Step Method [...]

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