Should you buy a big or small avocado tree?
When it comes to buying an avocado tree, is bigger better? In one major aspect, yes, because a bigger avocado tree is capable of giving you more fruit sooner. On the flipside, bigger avocado trees come with three disadvantages, which is why I have purchased and...
Growing peas in Southern California
My children have taught me that it is more fun to graze a garden than to harvest its produce, bring it into the house, wash it, prepare it, or cook it, or refrigerate it for later. Apologies to my wife. I used to grow snap peas for her because she likes to make stir...
Think about sunshine when pruning deciduous fruit trees
What do you think about when you’re pruning your nectarine tree? I think about sunshine. Myriad smaller thoughts also go through my mind, but my overarching thought is about imagining rays of sun hitting the tree’s canopy and working their way down and in. The reason...
Growing greens in Southern California
“You know you got to give me some of those greens,” he said. “Oh, you like greens?” “Mmmmmm.” How bold. This guy had just shown up at our door to fix a problem with our internet connection, and these were his first words. Our garden is in the front yard right by where...
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 intimidating? What to cut? Where to cut? (You can’t reverse it after you’ve cut.) This post is narrowly focused: Let's only talk about where to make a...
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...
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...
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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