Gardening // articles & tips
Spring is Coming! Prepare Your Garden Now
By the beginning of February you should have pruned any perennials, shrubs or roses for size and shape. The same goes for your fruit trees but they also need spraying with a Lime Sulfur mixture for “Peach Curl”. Since we also have lots of trouble with Thrips here in Silicon Valley, cleaning up dead leaves...
Preparing for Summer
The Summer Heat is Coming The beginning of Californian’s hot weather is a good time to: Re-shape the “Winter/Spring” Flowering shrubs (Toyon, Ceanothus, Euryops, Azaleas, Escalonia, Privet, Viburnum, Pittosporum, etc.) Deadhead perennials, annuals, Roses, Bulbs (Lambs ears, Daisy’s, Oenothera, etc.) Weeds: Pull them before they go to SEED!!! Harvest and hang to dry (Statice, Negella,...
Creative Ideas for Saving Water in the Garden
Lose some lawn and plant some vegetables. Start Rainwater Harvesting: Add a large water tank to property to water the garden Install new plastic Rainwater barrels Install old wood wine barrels for Rainwater Use plastic garbage cans to store Rainwater Set up an independent drip system using an old “Alhambra-water cooler bottle” fitted with drip...
The Relationship Between Landscape Design & Maintenance
Design Arranged planting with predictable results. The key is in understanding each plant and its setting, soil, sun and water. Maintenance Water, weeding, pruning and mowing. Care and maintenance are the keys to long term beauty and consistent results. In order to design for your lifestyle, you need to understand the plants you install and...
Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring
These months in the garden: Prune roses for shape, size and health Prune deciduous shrubs and trees Weeds…get them now while they are small and easy to pull!! If needed, change soil by adding or mixing in compost Great time to add top-dressing (3” to 4” thick of mulch to prevent weeds and cut down...
Fall Garden Musts, Winter Blooming Plants & More
Preparing Your Roses for Winter Prune back roses to a “five-leaf” but don’t prune more than 1/3 of the height of the plant. Feed for the last time this year and deep water twice each month until the winter rain starts. Call me for help if needed. Winter Blooming Plant Profiles Cyclemen: Tuberous perennials –...
Garden Tips for Late Summer
Water Saving Tip For those with lots of potted plants, mix P4 crystals (most nurseries carry these) in the soil before planing. These “rock-salt-sized” clear crystals soak up water, expand into tiny “jell-o like” cubes and then slowly release the water they are holing back into the soil. Potted plants in sunny locations are at...
Water, Weeds & Compost – Oh My!
The annual Art & Garden Show was fun and successful. A big thank you to all the artists, all the helpers and all the people who visited. Water The summer months are ahead so now is the time to deal with any water issues in your garden. Check for and fix all leaks in your...
Now is the Time
Collect and save rainwater. We’re heading into our 3rd year of serious drought. Water containers come in all shapes and sizes. Direct your rainwater down-spouts into water barrels or larger garbage cans. Be sure to cover tightly (seal) against mosquitoes. Digging projects are much, much easier when the soil is damp/wet. * Amending soil (add...
Fall Gardening – Looking Ahead to Winter & Spring
“Fall” in the garden is about many things, important things. Getting through the Harvest Process fruits and vegetables and store for later by canning, freezing or drying. It is very time consuming but very rewarding! Getting Ready for Winter Clean out the gutters, set up water catching barrels or systems. Cover and protect whatever can’t...
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