Flowers

July Flowers to Plant Now in Spring For Summer Wedding

Question from Jackie: Pat, HELP! I’m having a wedding in my back yard in mid July. What flowers or beds of flowers can I plant now that will show... Read more »
Poinsettias

Poinsettias

Question from Jeff: I recently bought your So Cal Organic Gardening book and like it very much.  Helped me right away on winter time sweet peas, and made me feel better about... Read more »

Garden Q & A

Citrus Leaf Miners

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... Read more »

Correcting Erosion on a Steep Bank in Encino

Question from Denise: Our hillside, steep and large area was covered in ivy and was just fine and holding. We are not sure what happened, but due to either... Read more »

Pests

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... Read more »
Citrus Leaf Miners

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... Read more »

Citrus & Fruit Trees

Mandarine Oranges/Southern California

Mandarine Oranges/Southern California

Question from Sari: What kinds of soils would you recommend for growing MANDARINE ORANGES near the beach in Southern California?  Are there any  special additives you would suggest?... Read more »

Fruit Tree Nutrients

Question from Tom: I have planted many varieties of citrus and stone fruits in my yard within the last year. They are all low chill selections and should... Read more »

Pots & Containers

Drought tolerants for patio

Question from Tracey: I would like to find out if there are some drought tolerant /native plants that will do well in pots on a patio. The patio is south... Read more »
Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’

Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’

Question from Gail: Hi Pat, I enjoy your books and website very much–what a wealth of information and inspiration! My question is about Agonis flexuosa. I’ve planted... Read more »

Herbs

Pruning Lavendar

Pruning Lavendar

May. 4 | Question from Heather: I live near the coast. When is the best time to prune back lavendar? I did it a few months back, but not aggressively. Now they are even larger, too big... Read more »

Tarragon and Thyme

Mar. 29 | Question from Dee: This is my first garden this year so I really don’t know what I Am doing.I buy tarragon and Thyme every year and put it in pots.I... Read more »

Composting

Pre-Compost or Trench Composting

Feb. 16 | Question from Sharon: I’m here on the central coast of CA and we have citrus trees, pomegranate, and fig in our yard. No official compost pile yet,... Read more »
Spent Brewery Grains as Compost or Soil Amendment

Spent Brewery Grains as Compost or Soil Amendment

May. 10 | Question from Ica: My friend is a brewmaker and has tons of the filtered barley grains they use to make beer. Would this be a good soil admendment? Also should it be composted... Read more »

Fertilizer

Citrus Leaf Miners

Citrus Leaf Miners

May. 22 | 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... Read more »

Spent Brewery Grains as Compost or Soil Amendment

May. 10 | Question from Ica: My friend is a brewmaker and has tons of the filtered barley grains they use to make beer. Would this be a good soil admendment? Also... Read more »