Blog
Not Just Yellow & Not Just for Freeways
Daylilies have long been the go-to for filling voids in landscapes without having to use much thought, or to plant in areas that might not receive the attention and maintenance extended to private gardens. This photo will open your eyes to the possibilities. Hemerocallis require moderate water, so group these together in an area of your garden that is hydrozoned for plants with like water requirements and in the hotter inland areas, in an area that will receive some shade from the hot afternoon sun. Be sure to research daylilies for not just color, but size and whether or not they are deciduous, to make the right choice for your...
Read MoreCompost, Worms and Tea
Although the title of this blog may sound confusing, the words are actually all related to one thing: healthy soil. It is often said in the gardening community: feed the soil, not the plant. What is meant by this is that instead of constantly applying fertilizers to your landscape, add nutrients to the soil which will support the plant’s health by changing it to be fast draining and moisture retentive, offering sustained release of nutrients that are more readily available to the plants, and creating an environment for earthworms, microbes and beneficial organisms. This is the short list – there are many benefits to amending and nurturing your soil. One way to get...
Read MoreAnother Reason To Grow Your Own Vegetables – Genetically Altered Organisms (GMO)
Prevention Magazine recently published an article titled, “As Nature Made Them,” discussing genetically modified foods. These foods — although banned by Japan, Australia and the entire European Union — are on the food shelves of American grocery stores. Fresh, as well as processed, foods are modified by GMOs. It is such an interesting article, that we are providing the link. Please click here to read the article online at Prevention.com, and form your own opinion about this process.
Read MoreCool Season Vegetables
For those of us in Southern California, we have the unique opportunity to grow vegetables year ’round. As Winter approaches, so does our shift to our “cool season” plants. Although it may be a bit late to start from seed for some plants, it is the perfect time to put in starts from the nursery. These include: radish, rhubarb, endive, garlic, parsley, peas, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, lettuce and spinach. For many gardeners — especially those along the coast — herbs such as sage, rosemary, oregano and thyme can be grown year ’round. Click here to view The UCCE Master Gardeners of Orange County’s comprehensive...
Read MoreArt in the Garden
The best projects often come about when a homeowner is open to art in the garden. In our attempt to reduce the lawn at this residence, we came up with a stunning and eye-catching addition made of Corten steel and planted with drought tolerant plants. The following photos depict the project before, during and after. ...
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