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Archive for Southern California

Grasshopper Control

Gardening Question From Kimberly: We live in New Mexico. Have developed a very bad infestation of young grasshoppers. Suggestions? Answer From Pat: Grass hoppers are ground-dwelling insects which, when conditions are just right, appear in swarms at which time they’re known as locusts. Swarms of locusts have at times changed human history and thus were […]

Best Time To Water Lawns

Gardening Question From Debbie: I live in So California, inland valley in Temecula, and with the extreme heat I need to know when the best time to water Cool Season lawns. Mainly Fescue I believe. I was watering in the mornings, however, someone told me I should only water in evenings. When and for how […]

New Zealand Christmas Tree

Gardening Question From Roz: I have bought each of your b ooks. I live in OceanHills Country club. I want to know when is the best time of year to prune Metro………New Zealand Xmas tree.l? I grow all my own vegs: I am English…what more can i say? Answer From Pat: New Zealand Christmas tree […]

Yellow Leaves On Roses

Gardening Question From Chris: I have been following your Rose Pro program from your Southern California gardening book. The roses in my back yard and the front yard roses in pots are doing well. However, the roses in my front yard which are planted directly in the ground have yellowing leaves. The leaf itself turns […]

Drought Tolerant Fast Growing Flowering Tree

Gardening Question from John: Hello Pat!  I bought a house on the top of a hill in Pasadena that has no trees on the west side of the property.  The sun blasts that side of the house in the afternoons and our temperatures can get up to 105 degrees.  Can you suggest a fast growing […]

White Birch Trees

Gardening Question from Rod: I hired a new gardener last week and have 4 beautiful tall multi trunk birch trees in the front yard.  He said they needed trimming so I said ok and found after that he had topped them all off leaving horizontal cuts at the top of the trees.  I didn’t think […]

Citrus Care

Gardening Question from Joni: I love your webpage!  I could use all the advise you have on caring for my citrus. I planted a navel, valencia, meyers lemon and kumquat 3 years ago.  Oranges have some curly leaves and are producing very little.  I live in the Shadowridge area of Vista (southwesterly, close to Palomar […]

Artificial Grass

Gardening Question From Tom: Is there any city of Pasadena prohibition to replacing lawns with artificial grass? Answer From Pat: From what I have read in newspapers, the City of Glendale has banned artificial turf in front yards but not in back yards. This is due to fears about public health due to run-off of […]

Planting with the Seasons and Crop Rotation

Gardening Question from Tressa: Thanks for such a great website. I am somewhat confused about crop rotation and year-round growing in Southern California. For example, I just planted bush beans, when they are done, I will plant leafy winter vegetables. Do I have to wait 3 or 4 years before I plant beans again? (The […]

Flowering Cherry Trees for Mediterranean Climates

Gardening Question from Faith: Just came across your website–I am considering planting a flowering cherry tree so timing is perfect. I live in Southern California. Could you tell me if there is one that would grow well here and also about the rooting system and size of that type of cherry tree. I would like […]