Gardening

View a list of irrigation-related tips, such as using the right type of irrigation method for your garden ensures a steady water supply for your plants with the least amount of water wastage. Installing an irrigation system provides a more controlled method of delivering water to your garden. Includes a…

Oregano is grown for the aromatic leaves which can be used fresh or dried. Closely related to marjoram, oregano is stronger and more pungent. There are many varieties of oregano, for both culinary as well as ornamental use. With a wide range of flavor characteristics, you may wish to grow different varieties…

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) is a warm weather annual herb grown for both its leaves and seeds. There are many varieties of basil including Sweet, Thai, Lemon, Genovese/Italian, Purple Leaf, and Tulsi or Holy Basil. Growing techniques are common for most, although African Blue Basil is grown as a tender…

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…