San Diego County Native Plants by James Lightner: a book review
When I'm hiking and see a plant I don't know, I consult my copy of James Lightner's book. San Diego County Native Plants is my go-to resource for identifying and learning the basics about any wild plant seen anywhere in Southern California. I've used this book...
Dead spots in a yard
First I planted a Granny Smith apple. Second I planted a Sharwil avocado. Then I planted another Sharwil avocado. Finally I planted a Flavor Grenade pluot in this spot, but it too died. It was then that I realized it was not me killing these trees, it was this...
Watering citrus trees in Southern California
As the weather cools in fall and the citrus fruit on my trees start turning from green to yellow, they catch my eye. It's been so long since I've eaten a tangerine or a navel orange. I can't wait until this new crop is ripe. And I look at the amount of fruit on the...
Thille avocado: a profile
Thille is the low-pro link between numerous famous avocado varieties. Even though Thille trees barely exist anymore, and not many were grown in the first place, it is the daughter of Hass, the mother of Gwen, and the grandmother of Lamb, GEM, and the new Luna. So the...
Fruit trees hiding at the San Diego Zoo
Last week, I took my kids to the San Diego Zoo and we headed toward a less crowded area where the giant Galapagos tortoises reside. As often happens, on our walk I pointed out the plants as much as the animals. "Do you see this avocado tree over here?" Then I noticed...
The Hass Family of avocados
If avocados have a royal family, this is it: Hass and its heirs. Take a look at the family's most prominent members, as well as some lesser known relatives. Where and when were they born? Who first grew them? Is there a next generation on the way? I hope you enjoy my...
Avocado Day Slideshow
From sunrise to sunset on October 14, it was avocados for me. I was touring groves, talking to farmers and researchers, stuffing my head with more than I could process. But I took photos. And here I share some with you. My morning began with an offshore breeze at...
Comparing roof materials for collecting rain
Which roofing material sheds the most and cleanest rain? Because if you're collecting rain to use in your garden, then you want as much as possible and you don't want it to be contaminated. I've lived in houses with roofs made of different materials -- tile, asphalt...
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