Summer burnout
“How’s your garden?” asked a friend. “I’ve basically given up for the summer,” I said. “Me too!” “If it weren’t for sunflowers, half of my vegetable area would be bare dirt right now. And I didn’t even plant the sunflowers – they’re all volunteers!” I’m burned out....
More garden, less time
Work will expand into the allotted time, goes the saying, and garden work is no exception. If I have all afternoon to prune my nectarine tree, then I will fiddle and get artsy and take all afternoon to prune my one nectarine tree. But I have other fruit trees that...
Avocado variety tasting and Q&A with John Schoustra
On August 23, you can join John Schoustra in a tasting of six varieties that are in season at Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark, Ventura County: Pinkerton, Hass, Nabal, Reed, Lamb, and Gelado. Schoustra is the orchard manager at Apricot Lane. In addition, he cultivates...
July in Jacques’ garden
What is to eat in July in Jacques' rich food garden in Southern California? Apples, pears, and nectarines. More apples, peaches, and goji berries. Cape gooseberries? What are those? You must join me for a tour and some tasting, plus a tip on how to trap green fruit...
Supporting The Yard Posts
My goal with The Yard Posts is to help others grow food at home, with a focus on vegetables and fruits -- especially avocados -- in Southern California. How do I do this? I write short articles – “posts” – each Friday, and I augment each post with photos and sometimes...
Growing bananas in Southern California
Among the first words out of my two year-old son’s mouth every morning was, “Can I have a banana?” He would have eaten five a day if allowed. So I was hearing the call to grow more in our yard. Here in Southern California? Can you really grow bananas? Climate for...
The Gwen avocado tree: a profile
In 1956, when Bob Bergh began developing new varieties at the University of California, Fuerte was the most popular avocado in California. Frustrating for farmers, some Fuerte trees were fruitful whereas others were not. And Fuerte trees made more avocados in certain...
June in Jacques’ garden
Now we're into summer and the stone fruits are ripening in abundance, as are less common treats that Jacques grows that you might not have tried, such as Kei apples and Surinam cherries (which aren't actually apples or cherries at all!). Come along:...
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