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Planting
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....
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...
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,...
Why plant in Fall?
Question from Bonnie: I always thought you should plant in Spring so the plant has time to grow before summer temperatures rise. Just so I can understand can you please give me a short explanation of why you would plant in Fall. Is Fall just for San...
Plant Suggestion for Privacy Screen
Question from Trece: I have 2 pots I would like to plant to make a window screen for privacy. The pots are about 35″ long x 11″ wide x 10″ deep. Can you suggest something that would make a privacy screen, grow quickly and thick in...
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...
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!”...
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....
Exposure as a factor when growing Tibouchina
Question from Shannon: I just bought your book tonight and then I stumbled upon your website. As for my sad Tibouchinas, I guess I have to accept that they are not made for our climate or our water concerns. I saw them everywhere around LA, so I ...
Crop Rotation
Question from Mari: I live near Fairbanks Ranch in San Diego county and grow organic vegetables in raised beds. Since I love broccoli, I want to grow them most of the year, however, I realize that you need crop rataions. Is it o.k. to rotate with...
Planting Summer Crops
1. Choose a site in full sun. 2. Build raised boxes or plant in ground. 3. For raised beds: Nail 1/8 1/4 hardware cloth on bottom of each box to keep out gophers. 4. Fill boxes with good-quality topsoil. 5. Cover the ground surrounding the raised boxes...
Pelargonium Violareum, Growing From Cuttings
Question from Zane: I have 200 plants Pelargonium Violareum, I never grow them. Can you tell me more information about these plants? I would like to know about soil, moisture, about propogation with making cutings. Thank you before! Answer from Pat: Pelargonium...
Duranta
Question from Eliana: Thanks for all your wonderful writings! I am thinking of siting a duranta erecta in a small area next to a house with full sun, where preferred height is really only 7′ high x 5′ x 3′ wide and deep. I realize...
