Growing raspberries in Southern California
Most of my raspberry plants have come from friends and family who live where raspberries grow best. The Sunset Western Garden Book says that raspberries grow best in Zones 3-6 and 15-17. These Zones cover the central and northern California coast, and then western...
Unirrigated fruits and vegetables in Southern California, summer 2019
I haven’t watered this lime tree for three years now and yet it still gives us more limes than we can handle -- and limes of high quality. I don’t know for certain why it no longer needs my irrigation, but I have a suspicion. Step back and take a look at the tree's...
Starting brassicas in summer
Growing good broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts in Southern California is all about timing. August is a great time to sow these “brassicas.” You get the seeds started now and you’ll likely harvest some around Thanksgiving, certainly around Christmas....
Protecting avocado trees from heat
If the air temperature is comfortable for you, then it is comfortable for your avocado tree. I spent last week -- the last week of July -- camping next to the beach in Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County. At night I wore a sweatshirt, and during the day I could sit in...
Who helped you grow your lunch?
I was innocently making lunch when my mind started following trails about where I got each ingredient, and by the time I ate the avocado toast I tasted not only bread, avocado, lemon, onion, and tomato, but a lot of memories too. The bread wasn't one of them. Dave’s...
Summer collection of Yard Posts, 2019
Here I've selected just over a dozen posts on topics relevant to summer food gardening in Southern California. These are the posts that I reread this time of year. Enjoy! WATERING The best way to water a vegetable garden How much to water a fruit tree in Southern...
Dealing with squirrels in a food garden
When we moved into our house six summers ago, no one had lived here for a few months, and squirrels dominated the yard. The boulder in front of the house (pictured above) had oranges filling its crack. I soon learned that this was the squirrels’ stash. Over the course...
Summer pruning deciduous fruit trees
Summer pruning is monkey work. I love its simplicity. There is joyously little thought or skill involved. But it is necessary monkey work. If you want to keep a deciduous fruit tree small and you skip a summer pruning, you start to lose hold on the size and...
Welcome
I'm Greg. My goal is to help others grow some food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits -- especially avocados -- in Southern California. I write a new "Yard Post" every Friday. Custom engraved garden signs
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