Brunfelsias

Question from Trinidad: I just read on one of your books that Brunfelsias can take two shots of high nitrogen fertilizer in December and January. What kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Do I do a soil drench or spray on leaves? I care for a garden that...

Fertilizing Deciduous Fruit Trees

Question from Jane: When do I fertilize my fruit trees and what do you recommend? Thank you I live in Fallbrook Answer from Pat: No, I do no suggest bloodmeal as the best fertilizer for deciduous fruit trees. It is strong nitrogen and can burn. Not...

When to Feed Apple Trees and When to Thin the Fruit

Question from Robin: I put worm tea on my apple trees this month. I was going to add compost around them but don’t want to overdue the nitrogen.  What else should I add to their schedule? Nothing until early spring? Also, thinned the apples...

Conversation Related to Fossilized Seabird (pelican) Guano

Message from Daniel: The main problem I am having is not the performance of the product but it’s the education of what it is . It seems like the West coast people have not been exposed to a significant supply of the fossilized guano so they do not...

Epson Salts

Question from Philip: I attended your lecture in April 2011 with the Master Gardeners where you mentioned to use Epson Salts on peppers. I did and the results are amazing, I have the biggest green/red peppers I have ever seen. Someone in the audience...

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...

How to Fertilize Organically

Question from Zenna: I am just beginning to switch to organic gardening and would like to know the best way to fertilize my garden and outdoor pots organically.  I live in Southern California about 7 miles from the ocean in Irvine. Answer from Pat: To...

Granulated Sulfur

Question from Robin: Hi. I have a problem and I need some advice. I spread granulated sulfur on the top of heavy clay soil. Hindsight shows me this is not optimum, and I would like your opinion on my options. I want to establish vegetables on the site....

Canary Island Date Palm – Organic fertilizers for

Question from  Tod: Just bought the new edition of your book (I’ve had the 2nd edition for years now and refer to as my garden bible!). I am trying to go 100% organic in my garden and wanted to ask about fertilizing my Canary Island Date Palm....

Organic fertilizers for indoor plants

Question from Randy: I would like to know what is a good indoor plant food? I’m going to start worm composting and am now composting my yard clippings etc. but am unsure about using these things indoors (smelly). I really like your S.Ca. organic...

Citrus Leaf Miners

Question from Dave: Thank you very much for writing your books – I read and refer to them every week. I’m trying to shift from conventional to organic gardening. All of my citrus trees have citrus leaf miner – some worse than others....