Mint is one of the easiest garden plants to grow and is highly recommended for the beginning gardener. Other than regular water, it requires little care and is not particular about soil. If you are considering growing mint, here is what to think about before you get started.   Garden or Container. Before planting, consider […]

With choices between edible and ornamental varieties and among an array of dramatic colors, kale makes an ideal addition to a sustainable garden. Here are some considerations before growing kale in a sustainable garden. Varieties. Edible kale varieties are available in a variety of colors, such as white, green, red and “blue.” Ornamental kale varieties […]

Garlic is easy to grow. Though it has a long time to maturity, it requires little care during the growing season and takes little space in the garden. A typical gardener with a few square feet of garden space can grow most to all of the garlic his or her family may use in a […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Looseleaf lettuce, arugula, spinach and radish are all vegetables plants that are easy to grow and, when planted in September, can be ready for November harvest. Looseleaf lettuce is one of the most commonly grown vegetable plants in the home garden and comes in […]

Careful attention to proper watering is important during the heat of summer in Southern California’s areas of coastal influence and other similar coastal Mediterranean climates; most vegetables, especially those in containers, need close attention and more-frequent watering. Here are eight tips for watering your garden in August: Monitor vegetable plants daily during heat waves to […]

Careful attention to watering is critical during the high heat of summer in California’s warm inland areas and other similar Mediterranean climates; most vegetables, especially those in containers, need close attention and more-frequent watering. Here are seven tips for watering your garden in August: Monitor vegetable plants once or twice daily during heat waves to […]

At GardenZeus, we consider Indian Summer in August, September, and often well into October to be the equivalent of winter for gardens in hot inland Southern California areas. This is the most difficult time of year for vegetable plants. Most are stressed and at times barely getting by in heat, especially if still producing fruits […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. There is no additional cost to you. Down and Dirty Southern California Gardening A weekly GardenZeus article series to help gardeners succeed in Southern California’s unique climates and growing conditions. Post 16: Remove Chlorine When Watering Organic Gardens (Chlorinated Water, Part 2 of 3) […]

Rats in the California Home Garden Part 3: Signs of Rats in Home and Garden How common are rats as pests in gardens and landscapes? What should you look for as signs that rats are visiting your garden? Hard statistics about rat populations in urban California areas are almost nonexistent, and estimates of populations vary […]