Apr 25, 2017 |
Controlling Invasive Plants
Tackling the problem of invasive plants requires educating ourselves -- in recognizing invasive plants and taking steps to control them if they are already present. Whether someone planted them before, or they arrived by wind, water, or animals, it is important to take action as soon as possible - before they can do damage to infrastructure or wildlife.…Read More
Sep 22, 2016 |
Waterwise Grasses & Ground Covers
Choosing a grass or ground cover means weighing a number of factors, such as maintenance, durability, ease of installation, and in water-conscious California, water requirements are one factor that can never be overlooked. Look to low-water turfs, no-mow grasses, and other ground covers when you need to fill an expanse of flat ground with some low-growing greenery.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Water-wise Plants for California
Making smart plant choices is one way that you can be a more water-wise gardener. Water-wise, or drought-tolerant, plants are ones that can thrive with little or no supplemental water once they are established. There are a variety of water-wise shrubs, perennials, trees, and grasses that are naturally suited to California’s Mediterranean environment. …Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
How to Test Your Garden Soil
There’s a lot you can learn from getting down in the dirt. Doing a simple test of your garden soil can give you crucial information that makes caring for your plants easier and more effective.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Planting Seeds Successfully
Growing plants from seed and witnessing your garden sprout from bare earth and come to life, is quite satisfying. This method also gives you the greatest range of economical plant options; a packet of seeds can produce dozens or even hundreds of plants and, if stored properly, will usually last for one or more additional seasons, depending on the type of plant.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
How to Grow Vegetables in Shade
Even if you don’t have a bright, sunny yard, you can still grow delicious and nutritious edible plants. While plants that are grown for the fruit or the root generally do require full sun to thrive, plants grown for their edible leaves and stems will often do just fine in the shade.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Blooms for Every Season
Gardening in California has no off-season. With a little planning and careful planting, you can make your garden a place where blooms are present year-round for your enjoyment and for the sustenance of bees, butterflies, birds and other pollinators.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Growing Edible Flowers
There are edible options for your garden beyond just fruits, vegetables, and herbs—you may be surprised to learn that many cut flowers are safe to eat! If they’re grown under the right conditions, some of the blossoms you already have growing could easily find their way into your lunchtime salad or decorate your favorite dessert. …Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Growing Vegetables Year Round
If you enjoy harvesting fresh vegetables from your summer garden, here’s some good news: you can keep the bounty going all year long! In most parts of California, the climate is moderate enough to plant edibles in the cool season as well as in the warm months, and in the parts of the state where winters are cold and frosty, there are still tricks for extending the growing season.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Managing Pests
Your garden is a complex biological community that includes good bugs (pollinator and predators) and bad bugs (chewing and sucking insects that may also transmit diseases). Integrated pest management (IPM) is a process you can use to solve pest problems while minimizing risks to people and the environment. …Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Microclimates in the Garden
The term “microclimate” refers to the climate in a small, specific area that is different from the climate of the surrounding area. Even in your own garden you probably have more than one microclimate. For example, you may have found that some parts of your garden are windier, warmer, or more vulnerable to frost than other parts. …Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Managing Weeds
Weed management is one of the challenges that every gardener has to deal with at times. Weeds can be introduced into your garden by many methods—on the wind, in the soil of transplants, by birds and other wildlife, to name a few.…Read More
Jun 30, 2016 |
Growing Tomatoes in Containers
With some basic gardening know-how you can enjoy fresh, home-grown tomatoes from a backyard garden! Tomatoes aren’t difficult to grow and you don’t even need a patch of ground to plant in. They will grow very happily in a container on a sunny balcony or deck, as long as you follow a few important steps.…Read More
Jun 29, 2016 |
The Right Mulch for Your Garden
Mulch is the finishing touch for your garden and serves many purposes. It minimizes evaporation in the soil, suppresses weeds, moderates soil temperature, minimizes soil erosion, and gives flower and vegetable beds a tidy appearance. …Read More
Jun 29, 2016 |
Growing Fruit in Containers
Container growing is an excellent option for more than just flowers and herbs. You can grow a variety of delicious fruits in containers by choosing the right varieties and providing the right conditions. You may already be growing dwarf fruit trees in containers, now consider expanding your home-grown fruit basket to include container-grown strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or even grapes.…Read More
Jun 29, 2016 |
How to Plant a Tree Correctly
Planting a tree on your property can offer so many benefits for you and the generations to follow. A tree planted near your house can provide shade or a helpful windbreak, help keep energy costs down, and create a habitat for nearby creatures like songbirds. It can also add to the value and salability of your home. …Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Backyard Orchard
A backyard orchard can be brought to fruition in less space than you may think! Many types of fruit trees are available in dwarf forms that you can grow in small gardens or even in patio containers.…Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Attracting Wildlife to the Garden
One of the biggest benefits of gardening is creating that point of contact between us and the creatures of the wild. Bees, butterflies, birds, frogs, lizards, and more—they add so much to our garden at the same time they find food, refuge, and nesting places there. Inviting wildlife into the garden helps to maintain a healthy, natural balance; provides interest and beauty; and offers unlimited teaching opportunities for children.…Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Avoiding Invasive Plants
Invasive plants are introduced species that out-compete native plants and animals and once established, can degrade habitats, limit the available water supply, and increase the likelihood of fire and flood. Most non-native plants are safe to use, but sometimes while trying to make our gardens beautiful, we can unintentionally end up using an invasive plant. Thankfully these days you can know before you grow!…Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Tips for Growing Tomatoes
There’s no great mystery to growing tomatoes. Even a newbie gardener can grow a delicious crop without much effort. With a few extra steps, however, you can reap more bountiful and flavorful tomatoes with fewer problems.…Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Using Compost in Your Garden
Compost is black gold in the garden. Created naturally from decayed organic matter such as leaves, grass clippings, food waste, and manure, compost offers so many benefits to the soil and, consequently, to plants. It adds slowly released nutrients as well as beneficial microbes to the soil. It also improves the structure of soil and helps it to retain water. …Read More
Jun 28, 2016 |
Raised Bed Gardening
Gardening in raised beds offers a solution to work around common obstacles in the garden such as poor soil, limited planting space, or issues with accessibility. There is almost no limit to what you can grow in them! Vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals can all thrive in a raised bed. Once your raised beds are built, you’ll reap the benefits they offer season after season.…Read More
Jun 27, 2016 |
California Native Plants for Your Garden
There are numerous advantages to growing native plants in your garden. They offer food and shelter to wildlife and help to maintain delicate ecosystems. You can find native plants that are hardy in any of California’s wide range of climates and are well adapted to surviving and thriving with native soils, pollinators, and pests.…Read More
Jun 24, 2016 |
The Right Tree for the Right Place
Trees are not only beautiful; they also add to the value of your property, aid in energy savings and clean the air. But this is only true if you match the right tree to the right place. Choosing the wrong type or size of tree and planting in a location where it can interfere with or damage structures or infrastructure is a sure way to create a long-term problem. …Read More
Jun 23, 2016 |
Creating a Native Bee Habitat
Native bees are the most important group of pollinators we have, and with their habitat dwindling, now is a more important time than ever for us to lend a helping hand. Most native bees nest in the ground and other species of native bees nest in beetle tunnels in old wood, but as wildlands disappear, these nesting spaces too are disappearing. …Read More
Jun 22, 2016 |
Grow Your Own Bouquet of Cut Flowers
One of the many benefits of gardening is being able to bring the outdoors in, and what better way to do that than gathering a bouquet of fresh flowers from your own garden? A cutting garden is an old-fashioned idea that never goes out of style and it is easily adaptable to whatever your gardening space and conditions offer.…Read More
Jun 15, 2016 |
Repotting or Transplanting a Plant
Sooner or later, many plants outgrow their conditions. Giving a plant fresh soil and more room to grow is one of the simplest steps you can take to keep it healthy and flourishing.…Read More
Jun 6, 2016 |
Growing Vertically
If you’re looking for new ways to garden, you may need to grow up! Vertical gardening is not just one of the latest trends, it’s also a smart technique that maximizes space, lessens the impact of some garden pests, and provides great visual interest.…Read More
Jun 5, 2016 |
Creating a Hummingbird Habitat
Hummingbirds are important garden helpers that also add an element of grace and beauty. But they’re not just fascinating to watch—they are active pollinators and help to control insect pests by consuming them in large numbers for the protein they need to fuel their long and intense flights. Adding nectar-rich, flowering plants to your garden provides them with much-needed food along their migratory route. …Read More
Apr 22, 2016 |
How to be a Water Wise Gardener
With a little forethought and some simple tips, you can create and maintain a beautiful garden that has low environmental impact. …Read More
Dec 16, 2015 |
Help Your Trees Survive the Drought
Trees and water are both precious resources. Trees make our houses feel like home-- they also clean our water & air, provide shade which reduces energy usage, improve property values and even make our streets safer & quieter. When we water wisely and maintain our trees carefully, we enjoy a wide range of benefits at a low cost and with little effort. …Read More
Sep 18, 2015 |
Planting Guide
It’s important to understand the growing conditions in your garden to determine which plants will thrive in your environment and how to best utilize your space.…Read More
Jun 5, 2015 |
Recycling Indoor Water in the Garden
Now that water conservation is a part of everyday life in California, it is more important than ever that Californians be water-smart. Landscape water needs offer an opportunity for water conservation and there are lots of ways to get creative with how we save our water. One way you can be more water-wise is to recycle water used indoors and put it to use in your garden.…Read More
Jun 5, 2015 |
Create an Air Plant Terrarium
Air plants are unique - they don’t need soil to grow, just air and a little water. Air plants (their botanical name is tillandsia) naturally grow in a rocky environment so bare roots are just fine. Air plants come in different shapes and sizes, there are even some flowering varieties.…Read More
Jun 5, 2015 |
Create a Succulent Wreath
Succulents are a fantastic drought tolerant plant to use indoors and outdoors. These colorful water wise plants look great in the yard, window boxes and hanging baskets. Plant a succulent wreath for a whimsical and festive look!…Read More
Mar 2, 2015 |
Plant a Small Space Vegetable Garden
It’s time to take a break from your virtual life and get your hands dirty. Lucky for you, in just a couple hours you can create a vegetable garden full of future bounty.…Read More
Mar 2, 2015 |
Healthy Soil
Good soil is the foundation of any garden. Investing in and caring for your soil properly is one of the best things you can do for the overall health of your plants.…Read More
Feb 2, 2015 |
Create a Small Space Butterfly Garden
Nothing screams, “I’m a gardener with panache!” more than a few butterflies flirting and flitting about. …Read More
Feb 2, 2015 |
Maintaining Plant Health
Gardening is both an art and a science. It takes time, experimentation, and education to master a green thumb.…Read More
Feb 2, 2015 |
Fertilizer Basics
If you are ready to take your gardening to the next level, it is time to get serious about fertilizer. There are a lot of options but once you understand the basics, it really is very simple to get started. …Read More
Jan 15, 2015 |
Convert Your Patio to Drip Irrigation
With California facing its worst drought on record, water-wise gardening is now more important than ever. …Read More
Jan 1, 2015 |
Plant A Cocktail Herb Garden
You may be surprised to know it is very simple to grow your very own cocktail herb garden. The only thing better than herb-infused cocktails, are herb-infused cocktails with herbs you grew yourself…Read More
Jan 1, 2015 |
Managing Pests, Fungus & Weeds
It’s important to stay on top of pests, fungus, and weeds before they become unmanageable and threaten the health of your plants.…Read More
Dec 1, 2014 |
Growing Citrus in Containers
Growing an herb garden is charming and useful. But growing citrus in a container? Well, now you are just showing off.…Read More
Dec 1, 2014 |
Irrigation: When & How Much to Water
Particularly in California, where water is such a precious resource, it’s important for gardeners to utilize proper irrigation. By watering only when you need to and only as much as your plants require, you can reduce water usage by around 25%…Read More
Nov 3, 2014 |
The Incredible, Edible Patio Garden
Think beautiful, fragrant and full of surprises. You would be shocked at how much food you can grow in a very small space. This is container gardening on steroids.…Read More
Nov 3, 2014 |
Container Gardening: No Space, No Problem
As long as you account for drainage, almost anything can be used as a planter. …Read More
Oct 1, 2014 |
How to Make a Vertical Herb Garden
Don't let lack of a yard get in the way of your gardening pursuits. Vertical herb gardens are a perfect way to get your green thumb on — no yard required!…Read More
Jan 1, 1970 |
How to Host a Plantacular Succulent Garden Party
This is a perfect get-together for the Pinterest age! Be the first of your friends to host a Plantacular party! …Read More
Jan 1, 1970 |
How to Maintain your Garden Organically
You've successfully planted a beautiful patio vegetable garden — check. In fact, you may or may not, be feasting on homegrown heirloom tomatoes, right this very second, congratulating yourself…Read More
Jan 1, 1970 |