Want to plant tomatoes in June or July but not sure the seasonal timing is right? This article gives tips and advice for succeeding with summer tomato planting in warm-summer, mild-winter California areas, particularly in GardenZeus California Climate Zone 14: Southern Strong Coastal Influence. See customized advice and information for growing tomatoes in your Southern […]

Want to plant tomatoes in June or July along the Southern California Coast but not sure the seasonal timing is right? This article gives tips and advice for succeeding with summer tomato planting in GardenZeus California Climate Zone 15: Southern Coastal. See customized advice and information for growing tomatoes in your Southern California zipcode Don’t […]

Here are five tips for harvesting pole beans: Avoid harvesting beans when plants are wet. Harvest aggressively heat waves above 85°F, and before cold snaps or frost. Consistent harvesting of snap beans will encourage production of new pods and longer-lived vines. Snap beans are generally ready for harvest about 2 to 3 weeks after bean […]

In many areas of California, tomatoes, especially cherry tomatoes, will naturalize, and can be grown using rain only over winter. In good soil, tomato plants may persist on their own for months after the last spring rain, and under these conditions will produce the sweetest, most flavorful fruit you have ever tasted. The tomato in […]

Pumpkins are heavy feeders. GardenZeus recommends testing your soil to determine nutrient levels prior to applying fertilizer. Work compost, composted manures, or well-rotted organic matter into soils before planting, and maintain nutrient-rich surface dressings under mulch. Bury plugs of finished compost or worm compost a few inches outside of the driplines of established pumpkin plants […]

Tomatoes produce perfect flowers that are generally self-pollinating, which means that little effort or concern is usually needed from gardeners for tomato pollination. Gently shaking stems with blossoms once or twice per day may increase pollination. At cool and hot temperatures, most varieties of tomatoes do not pollinate well and may drop blossoms. For most […]

Control aphids and hornworms. Insect attacks on tomatoes by aphids and hornworms are common in late spring and early summer. Pick hornworms by hand, and use a strong stream of water to remove aphids. This closeup photo shows aphids on the back of a leaf. Hornworms often blend well into the green foliage. Control ants. […]

Onion tears are caused by a gas that combines with water in your eyes to produce an acid. GardenZeus expert Darren Butler’s preferred solution to onion tears is to wear airtight goggles, which may also serve pleasingly to contribute to one’s reputation as a nonconformist and freethinking gardener and cook, particularly with friends of teen-aged […]

We all know what a carrot plant looks like—a stocky root with greens on top—but in a sustainable or ecofriendly vegetable garden, maybe not. Healthy, vigorous carrots in full flower can be a sight to behold, and bear little resemblance to carrots when harvested or purchased for eating. Often reaching a few to several feet […]