Plants
July Garden Tasks
In July, gardens across the nation really start to heat up. Southern California,gardens had a long, cool spring with lots of powdery mildew and vegetables stuck in waiting-to-ripen mode. Now, its happening fast and furiuos. Are you ready? Here are some July Garden Tasks. Schedule gardening time to early or late in the day to…
Read MoreApril is the Time to Plant Warm Climate Vegetable Gardens
Yeah! It’s time to plant summer veggies in warm climate vegetable gardens. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, and other summer vegetables are good to plant now, whether from seed or from seedling. Wait until the end of the month when the soil is warmer before planting basil, pumpkins, and squashes. Every year, I trial new vegetable varieties in…
Read MoreThe Last Harvest of Summer
Sorta sweet, sorta sad… the last harvest of summer.
Read MoreExpressive beauties: Peruvian lilies are low-maintenance flowers with a lot of personality
I remember clearly when I saw my first Peruvian lily. It was the early 1980s, and I was in graduate school in Santa Barbara studying the tiny plankton that swim in our oceans. At the end of another weeks-long research cruise, my then boyfriend (now husband) met me at the dock with a huge hug…
Read MoreBlades of Glory: Whether catching morning dew or in your morning brew, lemon grass has it covered
It’s summertime and the living is easy, as long as I have a tall glass of lemon grass and mint iced tea to cut the heat. Fortunately, I grow both mint and lemon grass, so I can make ice tea whenever I want — and you can, too. Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus) gets its fresh,…
Read MoreShow your colors: Many-hued native bulb flowers are built to survive our hot, dry climate
Many people are amazed to learn that there are bulbs native to California. “Bulbs” conjures images of gladioluses, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, even snowdrops — all of which are native to other parts of the world. But, bulbs native to California? Really? Yes, really. Nearly all the bulbs offered in nurseries are bold, fancy versions hybridized…
Read MoreHot Colors, Dry Garden #1
For months I’ve wanted to start this series, “Hot Colors, Dry Garden” so consider this the first installment. And what better way to start out than with a pair of mind blowing images taken just a few weeks ago in my front garden? Hot Colors, Dry Garden is an invitation to people who are afraid…
Read MoreNan's Garden Tip #101: Mulching Vegetable Gardens
Want to make your vegetable garden more waterwise? Here are two suggestions: Switch to drip irrigation Most vegetables dislike having wet leaves. In fact, wet leaves often become mildewed leaves. Drip irrigation is far more efficient than overhead spray and it keeps leaves dry and mildew free. Mulch with a three-inch thick layer of home-made…
Read MoreBye Bye Grass!
Its the “default landscape,” the “worry-free garden,” “the easiest thing in the world” – or is it? More and more, people acknowledge they are tired of having to mow, water, fertilize, weed, and pesticide (is that a verb?) lawn that they hardly ever use. Fortunately, there are lots of options for replacing lawn with gardens…
Read MoreMy Greener, Waterwise World
I had a delightful morning as I welcomed the crew from Growing a Greener World into my garden. Growing a Greener World is the new PBS television gardening series hosted by Joe Lamp’l, one of my co-authors on my latest book, Waterwise Plants for the Southwest. Theresa Loe, associate producer for Joe’s show, contacted me…
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