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Author Archive for Pat Welsh – Page 74

Potted Cape Honeysuckle Patio Tree

Question from Laurie: I just bought a cape honeysuckle patio tree about three weeks ago, when can I expect it to flower or at least show buds?  Up until now I check it daily to make sure it doesn’t dry out and it is in full sun from about 1 pm to sundown. Answer from […]

Destructive Olive Tree

Question from James: We have a lovely 71 year old olive tree, in Long Beach, CA planted next to a retaining wall (trunk is 4-5 feet from the wall) that is now causing the wall to lean.  The wall needs to be replaced, and cannot be placed farther way from the tree because it is […]

How to Prune Leptospermum

Question from Ralph: Happy Memorial Day….a special “thank you” for any service from your loved ones. I served from 1966-1970 and can appreciate the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform servicing our great country. Thank you again for your quick reply, I had read in two places this would not be a good […]

Gardenias and What They Need

Gardenias need acid soil, good drainage, ample water, full sun along coast, part shade inland, and regular fertilizing. If buds fall off it’s not from disease as often supposed, but because plants didn’t get 20 degrees difference between day and night temperatures during spring and early summer. Patios are often too warm at night. Insist […]

What to Do if You Find a Bee Swarm

A year or two ago in spring I encountered a bee swarm in my garden. They had been living in an owl house high up in one of my trees, but in spring a large number of them swarmed. Bees proliferate at a rapid rate, thus occasionally a swarm of them congregate and fly away […]

When to Plant Tulips

Question from Terry: Hi! My mom just came back from Europe. She had a layover in Amsterdam and thought that it would be a great idea to bring me some tulip bulbs. Help! She brought me 2 dozen and I don’t know what to do with them. I know that you are supposed to refrigerate […]

Chinese Fringe Tree or Crepe Myrtle

Question from Jan: I had a multiple white birch tree that was part of my landscape in my front yard, had it for about 20 years and died this last fall. I want to replace it with a Chinese Fringe or Crepe Myrtle and am concerned about roots since the tree will be near the […]

All My Edens: A Gardener’s Memoir

Entertaining story of Pat’s early life from childhood in England to a farm in Pennsylvania and her youthful riches-to-rags adventures in America. Includes many amusing and touching incidents, including “Peter’s Path”, “The Frog that Knew It’s Way Home”, and “The Night I Saw a Gnome”, also Pat’s love story and vintage photographs. Exudes love of […]

All My Edens

From Meg: I’m so upset I have finished your book, “All My Edens.” I want you to know I enjoyed every single word and wish it would continue on into infinity. No such luck. Thank you for having lived such an interesting life full of gardening, and for sharing it with anyone willing to sit […]

Save Torrey Pine Trees from Boring Insects

Pat LOVED this query from Allen: QUESTION FROM ALLEN: I have a boring insect on my torrey pines, not sure what it is but the trees are dying, is there something i can do to save them? PAT’S ANSWER: Put a circle of chairs close to the trunk of your Torrey pine tree. Invite a […]