Planting a Bank

Question from Christy: I have just removed ice plant from my bank and would like to go with native/drought tolerant/succulent/and maybe even some edible plants.  I live in San Diego and the bank gets full sun. I have a good idea (from your web-site)...

Crop Rotation

Question from Sharon: I admire you so much and all you do.  I have a garden plot in a community garden in Santa Monica. I know how important it is to rotate crops and I do as much as possible given the small space that I have. I grow veggies year round...

Vegetables, Eucalyptus, Clay Soil, and Fruit Trees

Question from Christian: 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...

Squash

Question from Peggy: Plant starts to grow a squash about 2-3 inches nice shape and color then the tip turns yellow. After that the whole thing turns yellow and dies. Planted in 5 gal plastic pots with bottom cut out, and sunk down about a foot with...

Suggestions re Flowering vine or hedge as divider

Question from Diane: I live in middle of Los Angeles (Hancock Park red clay soil) and have cyclone fence between new neighbors and my yard. Old divider was eugenia hedge now removed. East/south facing so sun most of the day. Think Jasmine, potato vine,...

Long Reach Pruner

Question from John: Where did you get the long pole you used in one of your videos to reach under your plants.  It was a long pole with a handle and a gripping part at the end.  I have MD and it would be a great help to me Answer from Pat: Many years...

Alfalfa as Mulch

Question from Robin: Thank you so much for the informative and entertaining lecture last night! It was a pleasure to meet you finally in person – I gave you my card – Harmony Organic Gardens.  and said that I would send you information about...

Pre-Compost or Trench Composting

Question from Sharon: I’m here on the central coast of CA and we have citrus trees, pomegranate, and fig in our yard. No official compost pile yet, but what about grinding up citrus rinds and fava bean pods, etc. with the lawn mower, and burying...

Right Mulch for Beach Plants

Question from Jokhanah: I am caring for a parking strip planted with grasses, Russian Sage, Lavender and the like. It is near the beach and needs a mulch to keep down the weeds — bark doesn’t seem right — too “forresty”. Saw...

Runner Beans Have Stopped Growing

Question from Ramon: Hi Pat, I planted my green bean seeds in early May. They sprouted in the first 2 weeks and seemed to be growing just fine. At the end of June it seemed like they just stopped growing, with the biggest plants only 6 inches tall. I...

How to Create a Hot Compost Pile

Question: I have a compost pile and nothing I do heats it up. What could be the matter with it? Answer From Pat: If you have already read and are following the instructions on compost in my book (pages 97 to 99 and other references in index. Also the...

Don’t Bother Growing Rhubarb in Southern California

Question from Bob: I am in zone 9B by the USDA Zone map. Rhubarb requires the best results in Zones 3-8. Are you aware of a good root stock the will flourish here in So. Calif? I have heard of placing ice cubes over the top of the plant locations at night...

Peach Tree Problems and Solutions: Pruning, Fertilizer, and Dormant Spray

Question from Michael: My peach trees are about 7 yrs old and I have never trimmed them because I do not know how. I live in Illinois . About 4 yrs ago I had a good yeild of peaches and i canned them. Every year after when I get peaches, they seem to...