There you will find all kinds of inspirational advice, pictures and videos on gardening basics, edible gardening, outdoor projects, landscaping and design and lots of other fun subjects.
The good news is that most of the articles are specific to our part of the country so there is lots of advice on water-wise gardening and plants that you can find locally.
When you drive around the county and see fields of strawberries it is easy to see that they love our climate. Aside from the weather the three things they need are good drainage, lots of water and six to eight hours of sun a day. You can buy them in bundles of shoots or all sizes of plastic pots at most nurseries now.
Either plant them in pots, raised beds or garden soil with good drainage in the ground in mounds so the crowns of the plants are above the soil level, about 18 inches apart.
Keep them well watered and give them a balanced fertilizer. Cut off any runners until after they have produced their crop. Protect them from birds with netting and use organic bait for slugs and snails.
If there is still a threat of frost in your area it is better to wait a few weeks. Cannas, ginger, ferns and cane begonias are among the tropicals that can look a bit scraggly and in need of refreshing now.
Cut stalks that are have bloomed, are looking leggy or have brown edges all the way to the ground and feed with a balanced fertilizer. Soon new shoots will start and quickly grow in to refresh the plant for a show of new foliage or blooms this spring and summer.
Although a good cutting back this time of year is recommended, progressive pruning throughout the year to remove stems that have bloomed is encouraged to keep the plants tidy and encourage continuing flowers.
Woody tropicals like pyracantha and bougainvillea should be pruned back to last year's wood to encourage summer and fall flowering.
Find out how at Heritage Museum in Santa Ana onSaturday, February 28th at 10am.
There will be a quick review of soils and seeds, and then plenty of hints and tips to help you have a healthy and bountiful harvest.
We'll also talk about how to use Master Gardener resources, including IPM, if you run into problems as you garden grows.
They are planted from corms about four inches deep in an area with full sun and good drainage. A little bulb fertilizer or bone meal will assure good blooms for the next few years too. They look best planted in groups of odd numbers where they will get regular water - but not too wet or they will rot.
Avoid planting them in rows where they look stiff and awkward. If you plant a few every month you will have tall, dramatic flowers to cut and put in a vase all summer long.
Although many of us associate gladiolas with fanned out funeral arrangements, a dramatic tall vase full of eight to ten deep purple flowers will last for a long time and make quite a statement!
