Effects of the cool, wet spring on our Southern California gardens
The drama of weather: Back in February, I was resigned to the rainy season having ended prematurely. There had been no significant rain since Christmas. I started watering some vegetables and fruit trees. And then we got a nice storm on February 22, George...
Avocado variety profiles
Below are dozens of profiles of avocado varieties with which I have firsthand experience. Some are complete with writing, photos, and video, and they cover both the variety's fruit and tree. Some are not yet complete. I have created these profiles for you because I...
Realistic garden expectations
“Oh, good to see you have weeds too,” said my neighbor as we walked through my vegetable garden. I've felt just like that when visiting other gardens, haven't you? Here’s a fact that should give all of us a feeling of relief: In the best gardens and on the best farms...
Painting the trunks of fruit trees
I planted this pluot tree for my grandma a few weeks ago and made sure to paint its trunk to protect it from the sun; I hadn’t so protected a pluot tree that I planted for my mom eight years ago and look what happened. Pluot tree with sunburned trunk. I’ve seen a lot...
When to plant tomatoes in Southern California
My "reliable" gardening calendar for Southern California says to plant your first tomatoes after March 15. So why are these already in the ground in my garden, planted February 29? How early can you plant your first tomatoes? Do you realize how dry it has been the...
The Fuerte avocado tree: a profile
I was speaking with an avocado farmer from South Africa, and he asked me about my favorite avocados to eat. That’s hard to answer, I started. But I told him that recently I’d had some Kahalu’u and Jan Boyce avocados that were very good. I turned it back to him,...
Growing fruits and vegetables for kids
First I grew fruits and vegetables for myself. Then I grew for my wife (Happy Valentine's Day!). Now my plantings are largely directed toward feeding our three children -- and the kids don’t like to eat the same stuff we do. Let me share what I’ve found our kids -- as...
Growing cilantro in Southern California
Cilantro is my favorite feral plant in the yard. It pops up in pathways, under fruit trees, over by the fence. And I do still plant some in my garden beds. Yearly routine I haven’t bought cilantro seed or plants for years because I’ve got a routine that keeps the...
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