Gardening

Above 2000 ft. : prune deciduous fruit trees, cane berries Below 2000 ft.: prune grapes, roses, crepe myrtle. Paint trunks of bare root and young fruit trees to prevent borers and protect from sunburn. Use interior white latex paint with equal amounts of water and apply generously.

Planting guide to help Sonoma County home gardeners understand how and when to plant food crops in their gardens including planting dates, direct seeding and transplanting, gardening tips and time to maturity information.

Until potatoes arrived from the New World, parsnips and their carrot relatives were the most important Old World root crops. Besides an important food source, they were also used as a sweetener.

Kohlrabi, a member of the Brassicaceae (cabbage) family, is little-known to home gardeners despite its easy culture and versatile use when cooked or enjoyed raw. Its flavor and texture have been compared both to turnips and water chestnuts for its crunch stir fried, as a relish, or in salads.

Leeks are a member of the same family that includes onions, chives and garlic, but they do not form bulbs and have a milder flavor. Lower parts of stems, 3-10 inches, are white, tender, and 1-3 in. in diameter. Leeks are a welcome fall and winter crop but may be grown year round near the coast.

Efficient watering means putting the right amount of water in the right place when plants need it without excess runoff, over-spray, or waste. Sprinkler systems and hand watering are only 50-70 percent efficient.

Lawns don't really belong in a summer-dry Mediterranean climate like Sonoma County. Tips for removal and plant replacement of existing lawns for a beautiful garden.

Microgreens are selected vegetables and herbs that are harvested as seedlingsusually 2-3 weeks after sowing when they reach 2-3 in. tall. Growing microgreens is possible any time of the year; they add a bit of freshness especially during winter when grown on a sunny window sill.

Discover tips for winter planting of perennial vegetables, including advice on selecting, maintaining and harvesting perennial crops for a year-round garden.

Learn how to control filaree weeds in the garden. Discover effective management techniques to protect your pets, manage the weed and keep your garden beautiful.