How NOT to prune a mature tree (Tree Topping)
Chuck Tree topping is the pruning practice of cutting large limbs off the entire tree to dramatically reduce its size. Because topping has such a destructive, short- and long-term impact on…
Plant Profile: California Lilac (Ceanothus tomentosus)
Karen California lilac is a beautiful sight in spring when it is covered with blue blooms and the rest of the year its evergreen foliage provides texture and interest with its…
Book Review: Veggie Gardener’s Answer Book
This nifty pocket-sized book of Barbara W. Ellis takes a novel approach to presenting gardening facts. Instead of describing the step by step procedures for vegetable gardening she presents the…
Weeds and Their Control: Prickly Lettuce (Lactuca serriola)
An annual or biennial, prickly lettuce is a native of Eurasia but found throughout the United States. It prefers a sunny site with mesic to dry soil, and is especially…
Plant Profile: Calamondin (Citrofortunella microcarpa)
For an unusually fruiting tree, try Calamondin. It is a natural hybrid between a sour mandarin and a kumquat, originally from China but cultivated outdoors in Hawaii, Florida, southern Texas…
How to Prune a Deciduous Tree or Shrub
As a general rule there should be very little pruning required if you selected the right tree or shrub for the place it was planted. Unfortunately this is not always…
Plant Profile: Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
A native Iran and Iraq, the pomegranate is a deciduous tree or shrub that has been grown since ancient times and is widely cultivated for the juicy seeds of its…
Book Review: Just Weeds: History, Myths, and Uses
Don’t like weeds? Perhaps you need an attitude adjustment and Pamela Jones’ book Just Weeds is just the thing to help you. Jones does not regard weeds as the scourge…
Weeds and Their Control: Spiny Sowthistle (Sonchus asper)
A native of Europe, spiny sow thistle is a common annual weed throughout the United States. It thrives in sun and can be found in gardens, lawns, pastures, and waste…
Plant Profile: Persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
Grown in China for over 2000 years, the persimmon is a popular small deciduous tree grown in California for its sweet fruit and beautiful fall coloration. There are two types…