California goldfields Lasthenia californica ssp. californica is native to wide portions of California. Plant California goldfields in the fall for a spectacular early spring bloom. Soil. California goldfields are not particular about soil are adaptable to wide range of soil types, including clay, sandy, gravel, and loam and grow in a wide range of soil […]

Containers are an ideal vehicle for fall container gardening. GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. These commissions are at no cost to you. Getting started with containers. Containers allow you to move plants to follow seasonal changes in sun, to warmer areas during winter, and to protected areas when necessary […]

October is an ideal month to plant cool season vegetables and herbs in Southern California’s areas of coastal influence. Start most cool-season annual vegetable-and-herb seeds for fall-and-winter harvest indoors or directly outdoors, and transplant starts outdoors; experienced gardeners growing appropriate varieties may succeed with a variety of cool-season crops and warm-season crops year-round in your […]

October is an ideal month to plant many cool season vegetables and herbs in Southern California’s warmer inland areas. Start most cool-season annual vegetable-and-herb seeds for fall-and-winter harvest indoors or directly outdoors, and transplant starts outdoors; experienced gardeners growing appropriate varieties may succeed with some warm-season crops over winter in your zone such as tomatoes. […]

Thyme is a low growing, woody perennial, often with small pink flowers, and requires little maintenance. It does need full sun and neutral to slightly alkaline soil with good drainage. Thyme is a drought tolerant plant. And thyme can be an important element in sustainable gardening. As a perennial, thyme provides an important year-round habitat […]

Chives are an ideal addition to a low-maintenance edible landscape. When allowed to flower, chives readily self-seed. Garlic chives are known to be particularly likely to self-seed. Once established in mild climates, as in California, chives will grow for many seasons.  They need little care other than watering until established. Chives are native to the […]

As a California native, California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) can be easily naturalized in a California garden by allowing plants to set seed pods and drop seeds. Plant California poppies with species of plants similar to those found in its native habitat, especially with those with the similar need of superior drainage, such as Arroyo Lupine (Lupinus […]

While typically grown as a warm-season annual in home gardens, in temperate climates, California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) with a thick taproot can live as perennials. How to plant. California poppies do not transplant well; seed directly by broadcasting seeds or planting individual seeds. Save water by planting poppy seeds just before a forecasted rain; under […]

Temperature fluctuations typical of fall in Southern California can make watering garden plants a challenge. Here are a few guidelines: Monitor plants during heat waves. Watering needs may be highly variable depending upon seasonal temperature fluctuations and heat waves. Reduce or eliminate watering to spent garden areas as plants die back during Indian Summer and […]