In general, gardeners are an optimistic lot, and usually our optimism pays off… eventually. After nearly three years of meager winter rains coupled with extreme summer heat, we are now experiencing a “great” rain year, with repeated soakings and copious precipitation that will provide deep moisture for our plants well into summer and beyond.
The strange September soakings coupled with the bountiful winter rains have produced unprecedented blooms in some of our driest places. The desert came out with off-season flowers in fall and winter, and has already made a good start on spring. Other…
January, 2023 in the Natural Garden.
…but our forecast for the next two weeks in southern California has us getting a few scraps of rain left over from the main course being served in northern California. This is fairly typical, as evidenced by Mendocino’s 40” compared to San Diego’s 10” annual average…
December, 2022 in the Natural Garden.
…but our forecast for the next two weeks in southern California has us getting a few scraps of rain left over from the main course being served in northern California. This is fairly typical, as evidenced by Mendocino’s 40” compared to San Diego’s 10” annual average…
September, 2022 in the Natural Garden.
As soon as this Labor-Day-thru-early-September heatwave breaks, provide an early morning Deep Soak for your entire garden. Continue with your regular (daily is OK during the heatwave) Refreshing Sprinkles in the late afternoon or early evening.
September, 2022 in the Natural Garden.
As soon as this Labor-Day-thru-early-September heatwave breaks, provide an early morning Deep Soak for your entire garden. Continue with your regular (daily is OK during the heatwave) Refreshing Sprinkles in the late afternoon or early evening.
August, 2022 in the Natural Garden.
Following the old adage, Native plants, birds, pollinators, and all manner of living things, (including us), are very busy through each long day, and sometimes we feel tired at the end. Read on to learn how to invigorate both your garden and your spirit, in the bright light of each long, hot day.
June, 2022 in the Natural Garden. Your natural garden should be just fine in your absence, perhaps it’s at a stage having become “self-sustaining,” so you can go play in nature.
M is for May, Mothers, Matilija poppy and Maybe one last rain, (but probably not this year).
Diversity. It is what makes southern California’s flora so amazing, and the lack thereof is what makes southern California’s “ornamental” public landscape so dull. Take a hike, prepared with camera, sketch pad or notebook and you’re in for a pleasant treat.
