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Month by Month Gardening
Planting California Native Plants
Here is the way to plant native plants (Best time to plant: in November) Native plants like best to be planted in plain, native, un-amended soil. Amended soil where garden plants have grown is not the best environment for native plants because native...
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...
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...
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...
Controlling Early Blight on Tomatoes
Question from Sean: I’m trying to grow tomatoes in hadowridge area of Vista and some plants have early blight. What can I do to cure and minimize spread or do I need to pull these plants so blight does not spread Thank you and I bought your book...
When to Harvest Lettuce
Question from Ginny: How do I know when the lettuce and shallots are ready to pick? What is your best book regarding this. I live in San Marcos, CA. Answer from Pat: The time when lettuce is ready to pick depends on the variety you are growing, the...
Drought-resistant Lawn Substitute for People and Dogs
Question from Candace and Cyrus: We recently got rid of our entire fescue lawn and replaced it ( or tried to ) with UC Verde, a new form of buffalo grass specially engineered for the climate of the southwest. Unfortunately, because we are within a...
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...
Southern California Gardening: Month by Month Guide, 2000
This much-loved book, often called ‘the gardener’s bible” is now completely revised and updated with an improved format, new cover, all-new photographs by Steve Gunther and much added material. Covers all the basic plants and plant groups grown...
Plant Zinnias Seeds
Plant seeds of zinnias now. “Benary’s Giants” (sold as “Parks Picks” by the Park Seeds) is immune to mildew. Choose a spot in full sun, till the ground to spade depth, work in organic soil amendment and balanced fertilizer into the top six inches....
Southwest Smart Garden Regional Guide
Over 2,500 spectacular identification photos, many taken by Pat Welsh, illustrate 250 plant category lists helping you choose plants for particular purposes, such as color, solid shade, near swimming pools, in a firescape, a boggy spot, for drought, heat,...
Summer Squash
Tips And Hints For Growing Easy-Care Warm-Season Crops Planting months: April-August Spacing: Thion to 18 inches apart Special Tips: Grow mildew resistant varieties along coast. Harvesting:frequently to prevent overgrown fruit. Cook male flowers also. Recommended...
New Zealand Spinach
Tips And Hints For Growing Easy-Care Warm-Season Crops Planting months: March-July Spacing: thin plants to 12 iches, rows 2 feet Special Tips: Soak seeds overnight Harvesting:Cut top sprouts 4 to 5 inches long, plants regrow, are invasive inland. Steam,...
