Northern California August checklist
PLAN AHEADTaste fruit The best way to figure out which fruit trees to grow is by sampling a range of varieties. This month, visit Andys Orchard in Morgan Hill to try more than 60 types of ripe nectarines, peaches, p
Plenty of palms grow where weather is consistently warm, but its harder to find options for cold climates. Needle palm ( Rhapidophyllum hystrix) is a perfect choice for chilly regions, and it just might be the world
Cool-season veggies grow best at temperatures averaging 15° cooler than those needed by warm season types. Many have edible leaves or roots (lettuce, spinach, carrots, and radishes); others (artichokes, broccoli, c
Northern California Checklist July
PLANTINGContainers. You can purchase a flower-filled pot at a nursery, but its much more fun to make your own ― especially if you begin with a theme and a 22- to 24-inch-wide container. For a red-and-purple hummingb
Leaf miner is a catchall name for certain moth, beetle, and fly larvae that tunnel within plant leaves, leaving twisting trails on the surface. As larvae mature, they drop to the soil to pupate. The tiny adults are
Soaker hoses, the forerunners of drip irrigation systems, are still quite useful for slow, steady water delivery to plants in rows. Theyre long tubes made of perforated or porous plastic or rubber,with hose fittings
Their tiny size and jumping movements give these beetles their name. As adults, they riddle plant leaves with small holes, leaving the foliage dry and desiccated. They are especially fond of seedlings and can consum
Seedling care: transplanting, thinning, and preventing disease
When the seedlings have developed their second set of true leaves, its time to transplant or thin them. If you dont need many plants, you can thin them in place: just pinch or snip off the excess seedlings, leaving
In order to thrive, plants need light, air, water, and a place for their roots to grow. They also need a continuous supply of nutrients, most of which come from the soil. When the natural supply of nutrients isnt ad
Pocket gophers are a serious problem in many parts of North America. The first sign of trouble is often a mound of fresh, finely pulverized earth in a lawn or garden bed. This alerts you to the tunneling going on be
Trees need periodic deep watering to get them through the dry season. If theyre not being watered deeply with drip irrigation, use a deep-root irrigator (about $30) to get water down to the roots. Attach the irriga
The Drip LineThis term does not refer to drip irrigation, but rather to the circle youd draw on the soil around a tree or shrub directly beneath its outermost branch tips. Rainwater tends to drip from the leaves at
Some of the most common and hard-to-control garden weeds are profiled here. For each, we first suggest nonchemical controls. Appropriate chemical controls are also noted; these may include pre-emergence herbicides,
Throughout much of the West, few plants are easier to grow than lavender.Though most varieties perform best within 100 miles of the Pacific Ocean, English lavender and its allies (the ones most often used in cooking
Blending horticulture and art, bonsai was born in China more than 1,000 years ago and developed further in Japan. The term bonsai comes from two Japanese words: bon, meaning tray, and sai, meaning to create. By trai
Some things are still worth doing the old-fashioned way. Thats how it is with Christmas trees: Theres nothing quite like setting aside a sunny December afternoon for an outing to a tree farm. Let the kids run ahead
Planting and care of Cape bulbs
To ensure the widest choice, buy or order bulbs in August, but wait until late September or October to plant and water. If bulbs have already begun to sprout, however, plant and water immediately.Dig a hole two to t
Found in practically every part of the country, scales are sucking insects closely related to mealybugs and aphids. Like mealybugs, they have a protective waxy, shell-like coating--but while mealybugs are mobile (al
Each year, the All-America Selections program identifies praiseworthy seed-grown flowers and vegetables. Among the 2004 AAS winners we tried last summer in the Sunset gardens, two stood out, flourishing in full sun.
Gardens in the West are as varied as the people who create them.Both professional and home gardeners have entered the 2006 contest and will be judged and awarded separately.Deadline for home gardeners was May 1, 200
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