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Author Archive for Pat Welsh – Page 53

The Organic Way to Protect Tomatoes from Caterpillars, Beetles, and Slugs

Question from Kimberly: I have some lovely tomatoes coming into harvest, however;they have little holes throughout the actual tomato and on the leaves! How to I prevent the bug that is eating my tomato? I don’t see it… I am not sure if it is a bug or catapillar? what do you suggest? Answer from […]

Crop Rotation

Question from Mari: I live near Fairbanks Ranch in San Diego county and grow organic vegetables in raised beds. Since I love broccoli, I want to grow them most of the year, however, I realize that you need crop rataions. Is it o.k. to rotate with only 2 different family of vegetables (e.g., legumes and […]

White Birch Trees

Gardening Question from Barbara: Do white birch trees grow in CA? Answer from Pat: You are the second person today who has written to ask about European white birch (Betula pendula.) I agree it’s lovely looking tree. No doubt about that. Also, yes it will grow here in California, probably better in coastal northern California […]

Transplanting Young Avacado Tree

Question from Mark: I had emailed you once before and now have another question. I finally got the oppty to transplant a very young avacado tree, about 6 ft tall, out of a large clay pot into the ground. Unfortunately the root ball split into two and about 1/3 of it was “lost”… the tree […]

Baby snails killing our Blue Star Creeper

Question from Roger: Pat, I don’t know if you are willing to help readers of your book but am hoping you do. We had a beautiful area of Blue Star growing on well drained soil among our natural stone patio. This spring the blue-star started to blossom beautifully. In the last month we’ve noticed the […]

Growing and Dividing Cymbidium Orchids

Dividing Cymbidiums, Cymbidium Orchid

Exotic Ladybeetle Found In Southern California

Question from Lee: Ladybugs, once the championed protectors of backyard gardens, are showing spots of a less flattering color, and their public image looks like it could be taking an even bigger turn for the worse. A new study has found that invasive Harlequin ladybugs crossbreeding with a species of flightless ladybugs are creating a […]

Agonis flexuosa ‘After Dark’

Question from Gail: Hi Pat, I enjoy your books and website very much–what a wealth of information and inspiration! My question is about Agonis flexuosa. I’ve planted three of the ‘After Dark’ dark foliaged trees in full sun (Sunset 23) from 3 gallon containers. They are now about 12′ tall. They’re becoming beautiful small trees, […]

Problems with Beans and Tomatoes: a Message from our Urban Horticulture Advisor

Pat inquired with the Urban Horticulture Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension about recent problems with beans and tomatoes. Here are the results of that exchange: I am hearing from many gardeners this year that they are having problems with green beans. So is my daughter, Wendy Woolf, having problems, but my daughter Francesca Filanc has no […]

Pelargonium Violareum, Growing From Cuttings

Question from Zane: I have 200 plants Pelargonium Violareum, I never grow them. Can you tell me more information about these plants? I would like to know about soil, moisture, about propogation with making cutings. Thank you before! Answer from Pat: Pelargonium violareum is native to rocky hillsides in South Africa, tends to grow rangy […]