Dig in
Common Terms for Seeds and What They Mean
It is easy to be confused by the many different common term for seeds used in seed catalogs, on gardening websites, and in gardening periodicals. An accurate understanding of common terms for seeds will help you to decide what qualities are important to you and, accordingly, which seeds you should purchase and grow in your […]
Read More
Lemons and Companion Planting: What to Plant (or Not) Near Your Lemon Tree
January 24, 2018
Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Evergreen and elegant, lemon trees make beautiful landscape plants. But what should be planted in the large areas under and around your lemon trees? Choose plants that are good companions for lemon trees, that is, plants that have similar cultural requirements. The GardenZeus recommendation: no plantings and no use of mulch, with bare soil only, […]
Read More
Spring Planting: Seven Things To Do Now
Get a head start with spring planting of annual flowers, vegetables and herbs: Plan spring flower, vegetable and herb plantings in well-drained, reasonably fertile, uncompacted soil. Purchase seeds. Start seeds indoors of vegetables and herbs with slow germination and/or long seedling periods such as parsley and tomatoes. Monitor new seedlings. Irrigate new garden beds, wait […]
Read More
Lemon Trees: 7 Common Problems
January 20, 2018
Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. Gardeners with lemon trees in their yards are often faced with the question: what is wrong with my lemon tree? Here are causes and cures for seven of the most common problems with lemon trees in the […]
Read More
Limes: Are They Ripe When Green?
January 19, 2018
Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Are limes ripe when green? When yellow? The answer is: it depends. Start by being familiar with your particular microclimate and the variety of your lime tree. Knowing exactly when to harvest limes at peak ripeness can be a bit of an art. Here are our pointers. Harvest carefully to avoid damage. If possible, avoid […]
Read More
Growing Kumquats in Containers: It’s Easy if You Follow a Few simple Steps
January 18, 2018
Container Gardening
/ Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Growing kumquats in containers is relatively easy. With an especially compact shape and smaller size, kumquat trees make ideal container plants. GardenZeus recommends Nagami, or the Nippon orangequat hybrid as the best kumquat varieties for containers. Kumquats in containers are susceptible to the same palate of pests and diseases as are kumquats planted in the […]
Read More
Rose Pruning: Tools and Protective Clothing
January 17, 2018
Organic Gardening: Flowers and Ornamentals
/ Pruning and Other Seasonal Tasks
/ Queen of the Garden: Growing Roses in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Annual rose pruning, and even monthly deadheading and clean up, can be a big job. And while careful rose pruning is important in maximizing the growth and bloom of your roses, pruning needs to be done carefully, both with respect to your plants and […]
Read More
Why Are Leaves Curling on My Orange and Lemon Trees?
January 14, 2018
Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: C. Darren Butler
GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. Why Are Leaves Curling on My Orange and Lemon Trees? Curling leaves are common on citrus trees and may result from one or more causes. Here are a five of the most-common: Drought Stress: Insufficient soil water […]
Read More
Planting Orange Trees? Suggestions for Spacing, Espaliers and Intensive Planting
January 13, 2018
Made with Sunshine: Growing Citrus in California
/ The Mighty Garden Archive
By: Ann Clary
Regardless of the amount of garden space you have available, with thoughtful planting and spacing of orange trees, you can achieve a bountiful harvest of citrus fruits. Gardeners with unlimited or large acreage can easily plant citrus trees in orchard-like rows. Gardeners with less space can consider planting orange trees as espaliers along a fence […]
Read More