Gardening

A wealth of invaluable reference materials are available from the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR) Publications. Both print and electronic versions are available for most. Many smaller publications are free or low-cost.

Garden Help The following list of questions can be used to help diagnose plant problems. Some of the questions may lead to solutions, while others may only help you convey information to someone helping you with the diagnosis.

When to plant: January to early February Harvest window: June to July, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Prune in summer (after harvest through early September)

When to plant: January to March Harvest window: June to October, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring and fall, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Dormant Pruning (January to February) to encourage vigor; Summer pruning (post-harvest) to control vigor.

Carrots are a root vegetable that grow well in the spring or fall. They require loose, fine soil for straight, unforked roots.

Belgium endive (also known as witloof chicory) is a leafy crop whose leaves are used in fresh salad or cooked as vegetables. It is grown in two steps. Plants are grown in the ground over the summer, then the roots are harvested. The roots are trimmed of all green leaves, then are replanted in sand in a dark…

Green onions, also called bunching onions or scallions, grow easily from seed or transplants. Most green onions sold in grocery stores are simply bulbing onions (Allium cepa), picked while young, long before they form a bulb. There is also Welsh onion/Japanese bunching onion (Allium fistulosum), which never…

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Drip irrigation can be used to water trees, plants in containers, raised beds, and many other landscape situations. The amount of water needed and frequency of application varies greatly depending on plant species, soil conditions, and the local environment.

How to manage your drip irrigation system Irrigation control systems are used to ensure a desired level of moisture is maintained for the plants with or without the presence of a human operator. Beyond the basic components of a drip system, there are ways to manage the system as a whole.