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...

My mission in the Kalu Yala

Question from Chris: My name is Chris Garcia, I am not a beginner gardner but I am definitely not at your level yet. I am on a mission to gain as much knowledge as possible regarding organic gardening, I am seeking an internship of sorts in Panama to...

Melons in a Tire

Message from Pam: I heard your lecture on summer vegetables. I am ready to plant melons in a tire. I bought muskmelons which I guess are the same as canteloupe. How many do I plant in each tire and what is the yield? ANSWER FROM PAT: Dear Pam: Please...

Pruning Lavendar

Question from Heather: I live near the coast. When is the best time to prune back lavendar? I did it a few months back, but not aggressively. Now they are even larger, too big in fact. Answer from Pat: Prune lavendar as soon as the main blossom season...

Bearded Iris

Question from Kathy: I have is relative to the bearded iris. I have some lovely gold ones and I just reread what to do after they bloom in your book. Do they require much water and also do you ever fertilize them? I usually put down the organic fertilizer...

Fertilizing and Rain

Q. Can you give me some reasons that it’s not good to fertilize when it’s raining? A. Walking on heavy soil when it is wet can compact the soil, but other than that caveat what’s wrong with taking advantage of rainfall to fertilize with...

Tarragon and Thyme

Question from Dee: This is my first garden this year so I really don’t know what I Am doing.I buy tarragon and Thyme every year and put it in pots.I live in zone 9 and I planted some french tarragon and varigated thyme in my garden and it gets...

Drought-Resistant Gardening

Question: I heard you speak at the Fallbrook Garden Club. I ordered your most current book tonight. Which of your books (or is there a book that isn’t yours that you recommend?) would have the most information on drought-resistant plants for...

Other area gardening

Question from Llyana: First of all thank you so much for your book, Southern California Gardening-Month by Month. I can’t tell you how much I rely on it and have learned so much that it has become the only book I recommend for San Diegan gardening...

Chicken or Horse Manure

Q. I’ve heard you talk about the benefits of horse manure.What is your opinion of using chicken instead of horse manure? I was told recently chicken is stronger than horse. A. Chicken manure is superior to horse manure but needs longer aging and...

Horticulture Teacher Question

Question from Judy: I teach horticulture for a community college to men in a prison. We have been enjoying some of your old gardening videos. We were wondering what you were doing now? Are any new videos on dvd now? I have limited funds for new materials,...

Torrey Pine Trees

Question: Can I legally prune or cut back Torrey Pine Trees. I have three native Torrey Pines in my yard. They were growing here when my family bought property next door in 1946. My neighbors are complaining that their view is being blocked. I...

Stop blossoms from dropping off tomatoes

Question from Holt: Wondering why my tomato plants keep dropping their blooms? Answer from Pat: Tomatoes often drop blossoms early in the season. (This problem and solutions are discussed on page 171 of my book in the chapter for April, which is when...

How Gypsum Improves Drainage

Question from Barbara: Can you tell me whether adding gypsum will truly help break up and/or improve clay soil in the home garden? The information I find on line is conflicting and confusing.  So glad you’re there (or here) to help us. Answer...