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Vegetables & Fruits
Don’t Bother Growing Rhubarb in Southern California
Question from Bob: I am in zone 9B by the USDA Zone map. Rhubarb requires the best results in Zones 3-8. Are you aware of a good root stock the will flourish here in So. Calif? I have heard of placing ice cubes over the top of the plant locations at night...
Melons in a Tire
Message from Pam: I heard your lecture on summer vegetables. I am ready to plant melons in a tire. I bought muskmelons which I guess are the same as canteloupe. How many do I plant in each tire and what is the yield? ANSWER FROM PAT: Dear Pam: Please...
How to Grow Cucumbers on a Trellis
Message from Pam: I am growing cucumbers in a tomato cage. There are many little cucumbers hanging on. Will the weight of all the cucumbers harm the plant or harm the cucumbers? Should I be growing them by spreading them out instead of growing them straight...
Bell Peppers
Question from Dee: This is my first garden and IAm getting these black spots on my bellpeppers. What is the cause of this. Answer from Pat: Black spots on peppers sounds like a bacterial spot disease. I would try spraying with Serenade. It might control...
Shallots
Question from Dee: I emaied you about shallots before.I washed them after I pulled them up but it seems like some of the skins came off.What is the best way to wash without pulling off skins? I planted them in spring( sets)some of them grew but others...
Vegetable Gardening
Question from Sally: Which of your books would be best for a novice San Diego vegetable gardener. Many thanks – buying one of your books for Christmas gift. Answer from Pat: “Pat Welsh’s Southern California Organic Gardening, Month...
Artichokes
Question from Debbie: Is it possible to purchase an artichoke at the supermarket, put the stem in water and have it bloom or flower? You know, like you can do with roses? Answer from Pat: Unfortunately by the time an artichoke has been cut from the plant...
Why Did I Get So Few Melons? (Pollination of Melon Plants, by Hand or By Bees)
Question from Andy: I live in an interior climate zone of Southern California. Last year I planted watermelons but I only got one melon per plant. The melons I got were great, but why did I get so few? Answer from Pat: Dear Andy: You are not the only...
Lettuce Bolting
Question from Madonna: Wow! I AM ACTUALLY TALKING TO YOU?? Really?? I use your 1992 So CA month by month gardening guide book as as a staple. (I have been mentally talking to you for years and wishing I could meet and talk to you.) Just now hitting...
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...
Stop blossoms from dropping off tomatoes
Question from Holt: Wondering why my tomato plants keep dropping their blooms? Answer from Pat: Tomatoes often drop blossoms early in the season. (This problem and solutions are discussed on page 171 of my book in the chapter for April, which is when...
When to Harvest Shallots
Shallots grow much like garlic. In Southern California where you live, plant shallots in fall and during the winter fertilize and water them regularly to keep them growing their leafy tops as much as possible. Do the same with garlic. (A good leafy top...
Short-day Onion “Sets”
Question from Kenny: I have several thousand short-day sets from DVG for my first trial planting. Would you like 60 or so (about 8oz’s to trial in your S-CAL garden? I would be glad to share these few with you. More if you need more Answer from...
