Exposure as a factor when growing Tibouchina

Question from  Shannon: I just bought your book tonight and then I stumbled upon your website. As for my sad Tibouchinas, I guess I have to accept that they are not made for our climate or our water concerns. I saw them everywhere around LA, so I ...

Growing from the Seeds from Peppers

Dear Henry: Any chance I could use the seeds from a habanero pepper to germinate into plants? If so, what are the steps you’d suggest? Answer from Pat: As long as you planted and grew old fashioned, non-hybrid, open-pollenated varieties of pepper—or...

What Vegetables to Plant in August

Question from Peter: We’ve just moved to Monrovia (San Gabriel Valley). There’s a patch waiting to grow some veg in – what would be best to plant this time of year (the start of August) – for quick results. Answer from Pat: You...

Terr-O-Vite vs Organic Fertilizers

Question from Dave: Your book recommends the use of Terr-O-Vite for so many things. I live in Thousand Oaks and can’t seem to find it. I don’t even see it on the internet. Can you recommend a source to buy it, or can you recommend a...

Seed starting in trays-lid on or off during the day

Question: For simplicity, water conservation and my own energy conservation (I have a very spread out container garden) I am starting my seeds (no beets or carrots or root fellas) in seed trays. I have these nice little Jiffy Triple Greenhouse trays...

Zucchini Problem

Question from Karen: I am having a problem with zucchini that appears to be healthy. The plants look robust and have plenty of little yellow flowers but they don’t turn into little zukes. Do you have any idea what I can. do ? I love zucchini...

Redwood Tree

Question from Fern: Dear Pat-Love your site. We have a big, 60′ problem…We live in Westlake Village, CA and the previous owner planted a redwood tree on the edge of our small patio, about 18′ from the house. The birds love it, my...

Bark splitting on ornamental plum tree

Question from Elizabeth: I have 4 ornamental plum trees in the backyard which I have had since 2002. They bloom the most beautiful pink flowers in spring. Lately, I have noticed that three trees have bark split. I have used tar spray, but not sure if...

Small Cymbidium Orchid Divisions in Bark

Question from Patricia: During your last Rogers Gardens seminar, you graciously gave us the “offsprings” of the cymbidium orchid you brought with you and showed us how to divide it. How often do I water these young ones? The bark isn’t...

Finding Your Own Style

The ideal garden is a place in which nature can revel within an artistically arranged design. Every garden can benefit from having a few formal aspects or well-defined boundaries—a few straight lines, a spiral or a square, a triangle, or a circle. Vita...

Finding Your Garden’s Path

So ephemeral and symbol-filled are gardens, they might be thought of as the stuff that dreams are made of. Dream of a fruit or vegetable garden, and it’s said your diligence in life will eventually bear fruit. By actually creating such a garden, you...

Preventing Sap From Oozing from Peach and Nectarine Fruit

Question from Jeannette: Is there anything I can do next year to prevent sap on my fruit. The peaches are mottled, if that is a word that makes sense. I don’t know what the ripe  fruit will be like but I think they will not be good. Thanks for...

Colorful Flowering Trees for the Deep South

Question from James: Do you know of any colorful trees that can withstand South Carolina heat? Answer from Pat: I’m with you! If you’re going to plant a tree, why not have a colorful one? But the limiting factor is not the heat of South Carolina...

Problems with Unrotted Wood Products in Soil

Question from Danielle: All my vegetable leaves are turning yellow. I filled my raised beds with bagged potting soil and I am using my homemade compost and watering with drip. The soil is moist and I’m fertilizing with packaged fertilizer. There...