Before killing it, name that weed
I was walking with a friend through his fruit tree orchard a couple weeks ago when he knelt down to pull up a weed. “Oh, I love that plant,” I said. “These things are everywhere. What is it?” “It’s called deerweed. It’s a native plant. It has little yellow and orange...
Should you grow vegetables from seeds or plants?
This year, I happen to be growing all of my vegetables from seed, which is a throwback to when I started vegetable gardening. In the interim, there have been years where I grew entirely from plants purchased at a nursery. During most years though, my vegetable garden...
Grafting a pollenizer branch into your fruit tree
Cherries are tricky in Southern California. Only a few varieties will fruit here with our relatively warm winters. Six winters ago, I planted two cherry trees for my mom in her backyard. The two needed each other in order to fruit. The flowers of Minnie Royal could...
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...
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