Where to cut a branch on a deciduous fruit tree
While family was visiting for Christmas I invited my niece to prune a fruit tree with me. Is pruning your fruit trees a little intimidating? What to cut? Where to cut? You can’t reverse it after you’ve cut. There can be a lot to think about when a deciduous fruit tree...
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Managing rabbits in the garden
Five Octobers ago I planted 24 seedlings of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and brussels sprouts. By mid-November only two hadn’t been eaten down to stems by rabbits. This was my first fall in a new garden and I hadn’t known how much those cute cottontails like...
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Winter gardening in Southern California
Winter in Southern California is a season of unique gardening opportunities. What follows is a collection of winter Yard Posts -- both recent and from a few winters ago -- related to only this season. I'm sure you'll find some you've never seen or others you may like...
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California Bees and Blooms: a book review
California Bees and Blooms has become my guide to a more lively, colorful, and fruitful yard. Just a few mornings ago, I photographed bees collecting pollen on a California poppy flower, one of the first to open this winter. There was lots of buzzing and flashes of...
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What kind of avocado tree do you get when you plant a seed?
I begin with the story of two avocado trees grown from seed. These trees are related yet separated by about ten miles and eighty years -- and they illustrate a thing or two about what kind of tree you can expect when you plant an avocado seed. Seedling avocado tree...
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Using wood chips as mulch for vegetables
It’s raining as I write this, which brings to life right out my window all of the things I like about using wood chips as mulch around my vegetables. The chips are soaking up the rain so there’s no run off; they’re protecting the soil surface from erosion or crusting...
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Dwarf, Semi-dwarf, and Standard citrus trees: What are they, really?
Back in 2014, I wanted to plant some citrus trees along the north side of my driveway. I knew the varieties I wanted, and I envisioned planting about five trees that would ultimately grow into a citrus hedge. But the hedge couldn’t get too wide or it would choke the...
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Growing garlic in Southern California
Garlic is the easiest crop to grow in a Southern California garden. Can you think of an easier one? If you use garlic in the kitchen, and you have a garden, there’s no reason not to have some growing out there through the winter. I’ll explain why garlic is so easy,...
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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. Buy signs for fruit trees
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