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Message From Pat
Dear Reader: This site contains more than one thousand answers to garden questions on a wide range of subjects common to Mediterranean climates. Among them, we hope you find the answer to your question. Please take this opportunity to share your experiences,...
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....
Bugs & Insects to ID
Question from Mark: Here are some bugs/insects I have found in my orange and pomelo trees. Are they something to worry much about? Answer from Pat: The brown bug on the orange tree is a leaf-footed bug (Leptoglossus fulvicornis) similar to a conifer...
Organic Snail Control
Credits: Genevieve Schmidt & Ester the Chicken Question from Tressa: I love your month by month gardening book and have read it almost cover to cover. My problem is armies (literally of snails) I live in Claremont, Ca. (new Pomona not San...
Gray scaly bark on Crape Myrtle
Question from Jonnie: My crepe myrtle was purchased with a gray scaly bark = it looks like fungus. What organic spray can I use to rid the plant of this fungus. What kind of soil would you use to put in ground for the crepes? Answer from Pat: Without...
Artichoke Plant and gophers
Question from Kerry: I had this beautiful artichoke plant that I found almost completely wilted tonight. I believe gophers have attacked the root of the plant. Can it be saved? Should I dig it up and try to revive it? I appreciate your help. Answer...
Western Conifer Seed Bug
Question from Carol: Can you identify this insect for me Answer from Pat: The insect you found is a Western Conifer Seed Bug or WCSB (Leptoglossus occidentalis.) This is “true bug”, not a beetle and it is native to California as well as Oregon...
Citrus Leafminers
Question from Sandy: A HUGE favor! It pains me to see the very newest leaves of our booming citrus trees, still curling w those leaf-miners, even after spraying. ANY suggestions you might send (or re-send!) would be so appreciated! Answer from Pat: It...
Clover Attracts Ladybugs
Question from Olivia: Ladybug Do you think Lady Bugs are attracted to clover? I am a landscape designer and landscaper. I have a client in Clairemont, California. I just finished her garden. She told me that her garden was overgrown and not taken...
Raccoons in the Vegetable Garden
Question from Deedee: I live in Palos Verdes where I haunt our local farmers’ market and wish I could grow my own organic crops. My dog seems to have shooed off the ground squirrels but can’t control raccoons which are not afraid of anything....
Stop Cats from Leaving Calling Cards
Question from Derrick: There is a raised bed in my garden which smells like cat poop, but there are no cats….fenced off yard. Answer from Pat: Cats are undoubtedly climbing the fence at night and leaving their calling cards when you are not around....
Baby snails killing our Blue Star Creeper
Question from Roger: Pat, I don’t know if you are willing to help readers of your book but am hoping you do. We had a beautiful area of Blue Star growing on well drained soil among our natural stone patio. This spring the blue-star started to blossom...
Exotic Ladybeetle Found In Southern California
Question from Lee: Ladybugs, once the championed protectors of backyard gardens, are showing spots of a less flattering color, and their public image looks like it could be taking an even bigger turn for the worse. A new study has found that invasive...
