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 this is asking the owners to keep the thing in major [...]

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Italian Cypress Trees For Narrow Land Strip

Question from Nolanda:
1. I reside in Pasadena, CA. I have read alot of problems, mostly dust mites, killing italian cypresses after 3 yrs despite  professional care & spraying.  2. Is the italian cypress  too difficult to thrive in the CA valley now?  3.My alternate tree is the Skyrocket juniper due to [...]

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Does Ice Over Plant Roots Make Them Go Dormant?

Question from Bob:
I have heard of placing ice cubes over the top of the plant locations at night to give them that additional chill, is there any sound meaning to this.
Answer from Pat:
You asked me if it works to put ice over the roots of rhubarb in winter in order to make the [...]

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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 to give them that additional [...]

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Flowering Freeway median plants in California

Question from Laura:
A relative driving north from Sacramento toward Reading called me, an Ohio Master Gardener, to ask if I knew what shrub might be planted in the median of U.S. 5 for many, many miles.  I don’t.  There are several hues, apparently: possibly pink, red, white, maybe purple.  Can you enlighten us?  If you [...]

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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 correct spacing of plants at purchase time. If you failed to do this, you [...]

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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 refer to the detailed, step-by-step instructions for growing cantaloupes in [...]

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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 up?
Answer from Pat:
Dear Pam:
Tomato Cages AreToo Small for Cucumbers and [...]

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How to Divide a Rootbound Clivia

Question from Shushilla:
My clivia is severely rootbound, basically there is no more soil in the pot. If I cut through the roots to separate, will I kill the plants? This has been planted for at least 8 years and I have 3 other pots in the same condition. Thanks so much
Answer from Pat:
Clivia (Clivia miniata) [...]

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How to Fertilize Organically

Question from Zenna:
I am just beginning to switch to organic gardening and would like to know the best way to fertilize my garden and outdoor pots organically.  I live in Southern California about 7 miles from the ocean in Irvine.
Answer from Pat:
To fertilize organically, we first need to think of nature. Plants and [...]

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Pat Welsh’s Garden

Question from Cat:
I was wondering if you ever open your garden up for viewing. I would love to see it. I live in Trabuco Canyon, California and am an avid So Calif gardener. I travel to Great Dixter every year to take their gardenning symposiums and learn their techniques first hand. [...]

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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 to try and figure out how many bushes to buy.  The [...]

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Long Reach Pruner

Question from John:
Where did you get the long pole you used in one of your videos to reach under your plants.  It was a long pole with a handle and a gripping part at the end.  I have MD and it would be a great help to me
Answer from Pat:
Many years ago I purchased a [...]

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Gopher Barriers Under Raised Beds

Question fromTeri:
You recommend lining the bottom of raised bed veggie gardens with hardware cloth, but that degrades in a couple of years, and is a huge ordeal to replace.
So I am wondering whether 6″ or more of 3/4 or 1″ rock in the bottom of the bed would work against burrowing creatures like rabbits and [...]

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