Roses! Keeping them in tip top shape. Fame, a grandiflora Roses, favorites in the garden and the vase, take a little bit of attention to keep them blooming and looking their best. Here are some tips to keep them the showpieces of your garden: Fertilizer: Feed after each bloom cycle with a fertilizer that promotes […]
Roses: Plant Bareroot Now! Cheap and Easy!
What is a ‘bareroot’ rose?It’s a dormant rose bush which has been dug up by the grower, soil removed from roots, canes trimmed, usually packaged in sawdust in a plastic wrapping. Why plant bareroot roses?1. Selection: Many more varieties are available during bareroot season both at your local nursery and online. 2. Easier to Plant: […]
8 Simple Steps to Perfectly Pruned Roses
‘Joseph’s Coat’ rose Although roses in Southern California never really go dormant, this is the time of year to give them an annual pruning. It’s tough to do since many plants are still blooming! Pruning, while sacrificing a few blooms now, will result in a healthier plant and, therefore, better blooms in the coming year. […]
Holiday Bulb Gifts
‘Amaryllis’ (actually South American Hippeastrum) Did you receive or purchase blooming potted ‘amaryllis’ or ‘paper whites’ this holiday season? These bulbs are very popular gifts over the holidays and have been ‘forced’ to bloom at this time of year. Most people I know treat them like cut flowers and toss them out once […]
Gifts From the Garden: Herbs
It’s that time of year again, the holidays are upon us! If you are looking for a thoughtful hostess gift, something for a cook, or just want to dress up your own holiday table, consider creating gift baskets, pots, centerpieces and place settings using herb plants. Here are a few ideas: 1. Herb Centerpiece (pictured […]
Fall Planted Bulbs
Yellow ranunculus and white freesias with blue forget-me-nots Have you planted bulbs yet? If you want a foolproof, spectacular display of spring color, plant bulbs this fall! Dutch Iris Choose these varieties for flowers that will return year after year in Southern California:– Dutch iris– Freesia– Daffodils Ranunculus Others that are beautiful but usually need […]
Grafted Cool Season Tomatoes
Stupice Jetsetter Marianna’s Peace Planting tomatoes in September? I’ve never done this before, but I was given three grafted cool season tomatoes today so I’m going to give it a try! I’ll let you know how it goes. What is a ‘cool season’ tomato? If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you probably planted them in […]
Seed Starting Tips
Why start plants from seed rather than buy six packs? The main reason I do it is to have more variety in the garden. Most nurseries only carry a few common veggies in six packs. But if you look at the seed racks, and especially seed catalogs, you’ll find purple carrots, orange cauliflower, bush varieties […]