How to Determine the Correct Spacing of All Garden Plants

Controlling Algerian Ivy & Plants that Attract Birds All nurseries will provide you with information when you purchase plants as to correct spacing of the plants you buy. Most plant labels have size and spacing listed on the label. Always ask the...

How to Space Plants when Planting a Bank

From Kathy: Oh for goodness sake I never thought of Ellwood’s as I hardly go there.  I got turned off by coldness in attitude there and never went back.  I’ll check it out.  Okay will cut off the thatch too.  Thanks again.  Now I have...

Planting on a Bank & Best Substitutes for Lawns

Question from Howard: We are a Homeowners association with a steep bank, 45 degrees or steeper, three blocks long and about 30 feet high. What drought tolerant plant(s) would you recommend? Also, what ground cover, if any, would you recommend to replace...

Plant to Prevent Erosion on a Steep Hillside

Question from Kathy: I love your book and use it as my garden bible. I have a new problem and do not know what to do. I live on top of a steep hillside and have been here for 34 yrs. I have never had a mudslide. However, the hillside is in three levels...

Native Plants Suitable For Planting Near A Coastal Lagoon

SHRUBS Adenostoma fasciculatum—Chamise Most abundant shrub in some local coastal chaparral, often called “Chamise chaparral”. Known for spring bloom but often flowers in fall. Arctostaphylos glandulosa, ssp. crassifolia—Del Mar manzanita Coastal...

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....

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....

Epidendrums

Question from Randy: What is the best medium to plant epidendrums in? Cymbidium bark, soil or a mix. Thanks. Or none of those? Answer from Pat: Epidendrum orchids grow well in ground bark or small gauge pathway bark. I don’t ever purchase orchid...

Princess Plants (Tibouchina heteromalla and Tibouchina urvilleana.)

Question from Shannon: I have two sickly Princess Plants (Tibouchina heteromalla) that I planted about 3 months ago. I had had one at the beach (in Playa del Rey CA) that was as big as a house, hearty, and virtually care-free. The ones in question...

Companion Planting Has No Scientific Basis but Planting a Wide Range of Crops Works

Question: The other thing you said was that companion planting has been proven ineffective – by that do you mean that researchers have failed to find that planting certain CROPS in proximity to each other does them ANY good? Or that certain non-crop...

Planting & Growing Zone

Question from Nancy: I live in Hesperia, CA. My zip code is 92345. My elevation is approximately 3700 ft. What is the planting/growing zone for my area? Answer from Pat: Hesperia, California where you live is in the Mohave Desert roughly 15 miles north...

Instructions for Building Raised Bed

Question: We live in Fallbrook and are looking to build one or more raised beds for planting vegetables. We purchased your Southern California Gardening book from Costco but can’t find any instructions on building the bed. Can you provide us...

Beach Front Plants for English Seacoast Gardens

Question from Katie: Hi Pat, just found your www site and saw it said, “Send a Q to Pat”, so, here goes… location: seaside, south-facing (in England: the sunny side), sheltered terrace.  Required: architectural, evergreen, “WOW!”...

Sunset areas

Question from James: The Sunset Western lists our San Diego area as between 14 & 24 but I find many products require a more specific zone. I thought that if I provided you with a more detailed location, you could provide me with a closer zone....