Tomato plants benefit from consistent soil moisture with a partial or slight dry-down of soil between waterings to ensure that soil is not consistently wet. The amount of dry-down between waterings should be kept consistent, as irregular moisture swings and dry soil can lead to problems such as blossom end rot and fruit splitting. See […]

The trumpet-shaped white flowers of Easter Lilies, Lilium longiflorum, announce the arrival of spring as they arrive in mass in grocery stores, garden centers and flower shops. Once purchased, growing Easter Lilies is easy: remove the foil wrapping, place in bright, indirect light away from heat ducts, and keep the soil moist but not wet. […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. These commissions are earned without additional cost to you. Most tomato varieties will need staking or trellising to keep plants manageable, prevent vigorous tomato varieties from overwhelming other nearby vegetables, maximize growing space and maintain garden tidiness by requiring tomatoes to grow up rather […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. These commissions are earned without additional cost to you. GardenZeus expert Darren Butler has found tomatoes generally to be unfussy companions for many other garden vegetables. Most varieties don’t need insects for pollination, so planting fragrant herbs and flowers to attract pollinators is less […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. These commissions are earned without additional cost to you. Tomatoes can make excellent container plants, provided that a few important criteria are met. Choice of Type and Variety. Most cherry tomato varieties that are otherwise suited to your growing conditions will produce abundantly in […]

What is a paste tomato, also called “plum” or “sauce” tomato? These varieties are generally cylindrical in shape, and are the best suited of all tomatoes for cooking and preserving because their fruits produce fewer seed cavities and seeds, and have both lower water content and higher proportion of solid flesh than other tomatoes, which makes […]

In many areas of California, March is the month when roses break dormancy, or begin sustained growth over spring, summer and into fall. Here are seven tasks for roses in spring: Water and fertilize most rose varieties when they show the first new growth in early spring. Fertilize actively blooming roses at the end of […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. Loose leaf lettuce, pole bean and snap pea are ideal for early spring planting in many areas. Lettuce prefers full sun in daytime temperatures of 70° F to 75° F, and may suffer, bolt, or become bitter […]

For best germination, health, and yields, beans require reasonable soil fertility, good soil structure with moderate organic matter, moist soil with good drainage, low salinity, and slight-to-moderate acidity, ideally with pH levels between 6.0 and 6.5. Beans can thrive in a range of soil types and textures; some types tolerate slight-to-moderate alkalinity up to a […]