Corn Meal Gluten

Question from Robin: Reading in your book about Organic Corn Meal Gluten for pre-emergence of lawn weeds but where do I find that in our area. Also read where you have to find a reliable source as there is an increase in sound-a-likes. Much appreciated,...

Poinsettias

Question from Jeff: I recently bought your So Cal Organic Gardening book and like it very much.  Helped me right away on winter time sweet peas, and made me feel better about poinsettias.  That is, I have been trying to grow poinsettias for the past...

Artichokes and Earwigs

Question from Jennifer: I have just finished watching your video on planting artichokes and am hoping you might be able to answer a related pest question. I planted artichokes from seed last fall for the first time and the plants grew wonderfully at...

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...

Root Rot and Wisterias

Question from Judy: My Wisteria – 9.5 years old — just stopped growing and leaves began yellowing and drying. I cut back some wood that had not leafed out and it was dead. When I looked up these conditions, it said it could be Cotton Root...

Cilantro

Question from Christina: I have cilantro in a container outside…the problem is, it’s leaves have turned purple. I don’t know what I am doing wrong and can’t find my answer anywhere online. I would appreciate any tips you might...

How to Prevent Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes, and Best Temperatures for Setting Fruit on Pepper Plants

Question from Ramon: I am new to gardening and this is only my second year. My first year was hot peppers and tomatoes. The hot peppers did great that year but the tomatoes, I found out later, that I was over watering. This year I went to deep watering...

When to plant tomatoes for fall/early winter harvest

Question from Lewis: I wanted to know when to plant tomatoes and what kind of tomatoes for a late fall, early winter harvest. Answer from Pat: The best time to plant tomatoes for summer use is in March, but this year our temperatures have been cool along...

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...

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...

Choosing a Drum Composter That Really Works

Question from Jan: I heard you speak @ Temecula Valley Garden Club (both times) and enjoyed it immensely. I recently moved and can’t find my notes (oh no!) Would you mind refreshing my memory about the composter your daughter researched? I’m...

Plant identification

Question from Charlie: I am trying to identify a small bulb that I thought was cute when it first arrived in the soil of another plant. Now I think it is a weed – very prolific. I suspect it is in the oxalis family: 3 lobed leaf, red stem, pretty...

Generic Fertilizers & Soil Amendments

This Generic Fertilizers Chart show you what products can be used for a “source of”, how quickly it works, approximate formula, and characteristics. Generic Fertilizers & Soil Amendments Chart. Be sure to reference “Southern California...

Terr-O-Vite

Question from Trinidad: Where can I purchase this product? Nobody seems to know about it. I live and work in Encinitas, CA. Places I have checked are Grangettos, Home Depot, Hydroscape… Please help. Answer from Pat: Terr-O-Vite is no longer available....