Avocado varieties for year-round harvest
Before I had my own avocado trees, I picked fruit from the trees of others (and usually I asked first). I had learned the locations of trees of different varieties and in which season each tasted good so that I could find avocados to eat all year. Later, I asked...
Garden pizzas
Three nights each week I’m responsible for feeding our three children. My wife works long shifts at the hospital as a nurse. I often struggle to make quality meals, as the kids are young -- five, three, and one -- and after a twelve-hour day with them, they’ve...
Growing pluots in Southern California
I’ve met people who don’t like the tart skin of some plums, and I’ve met people who find apricots mushy, but I’m still waiting to meet the person who has eaten a homegrown pluot and doesn’t ask for more. Just this week I shared some from my trees with a friend who has...
More photos; fewer words
I crack up whenever I think of this comment someone made to my wife: "I really like your husband's blog, except there are so many words." Maybe not this week? Here are ten photos that capture aspects of this past summer, with captions that I've trimmed and trimmed....
Using the evapotranspiration rate to water your garden better
How often do you adjust your irrigation timer? How do you estimate how much to water your fruit trees or vegetables? The local evapotranspiration rate is a great guide in answering both of these questions. What is the evapotranspiration rate? Evapo-transpiration is a...
Tomato varieties for Southern California, 2019
It so happens that every tomato variety of the seven I’m growing this summer has done well and tastes good enough to justify planting again next year. They're all a little different, and I’d be selfish not to tell you about them. Small-fruited types Blush tomatoes....
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. Summer is not the best time to grow "brassicas" but it is a great time to sow them. You get the seeds started in summer (I've started as early as June 21, the...
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