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The Painted Abutilon (Abutilon pictum)
Discover the 'Tropical Cheat Code' for So Cal gardens. Learn how to grow Painted Abutilon for stunning gold-mottled foliage and year-round hummingbird blooms.
The Great Gopher Spurge Scam
Think gopher spurge is a natural way to repel pests? Think again. Here's the truth about Euphorbia lathyrus, why it fails as a repellent, and how it can become an invasive weed in your Southern California garden. Learn the real way to control gophers without poisons.
Bee Hotels Aren’t Just Garden Decor
Bee hotels do work in Zone 8-10 gardens. Learn how I filled mine with native bees and pollinators using weathered wood, deep tunnels, and smart placement.
A Misty Autumn Morning
It's been cool and foggy lately, but the November rains have turned what was brown into late autumn shades of green, red and gold just after dawn.
Italian Frying Pepper Review: Flavor, Yield, and Growing Tips
The Italian frying pepper (Friggitello) is a Zone 9 standout! Get 5/5 stars for high yield, long production season, and a delicious, savory-sweet flavor.
Fall Keyhole Garden Maintenance
Late-autumn is a great time to do maintenance on raised garden beds like a keyhole garden, especially if you grow year round or want an early start next spring
It’s Only November and The Creek is Rising
A series of Pacific storms came through this past week and dropped several inches of rain—the most we've had in November in almost 50 years. So now we have a muddy creek flowing
Growing Cherimoya Trees & Fruit
An easy to grow sub-tropical tree great for USDA zones 9 and up. Grow the tree for shade and a tasty fruit that's a cross between pineapple, strawberry & banana
My Wife’s Idea of Vegetable Gardening
My wife let a bean escape into the strawberry patch where it took root, grew up the side of the deck and on to our patio umbrella. Now we have beans hanging.
The Pumpkins Come Down from The Hanging Garden
I removed the last of the pumpkins from the hanging garden trellises yesterday. While overhead pumpkins looked interesting, I won't grow them this way again.
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