A few simple tips and techniques can make the difference for an abundant, high-quality garlic harvest that stores well for long periods. Season length to harvest can vary depending upon many environmental factors including seasonal temperatures and soil fertility. Most softneck garlic varieties need at least 6 months from fall through spring to reach maximum […]

If you planted softneck garlic during the appropriate cool season, in well-drained soil with sufficient fertility and nitrogen, you may find that it has sprouted vigorously and has become an easy garden companion. See Growing Garlic in the California Home Garden. Garlic needs full sun during cool-to-warm weather. It grows and yields best at daytime […]

Plant garlic cloves under at least 1.5 inches of soil. Large cloves produce larger bulbs, and can be planted under 2 inches of soil. Sprouts normally emerge from soil within about 7-14 days, and first leaves normally appear within about 2-3 weeks (or longer during cold weather). For vigorous softneck varieties, space plants at least […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Garlic performs best in fertile soil with good drainage. Overwatering and underwatering garlic both result in stressed plants, poor bulb formation, and increased pest-and-disease problems. Water may pool below the soil surface or in compacted areas underground, with poor drainage sometimes becoming problematic even […]

GardenZeus receives commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Planting location is critical for growing garlic successfully in California. Garlic needs full sun with cool-to-warm temperatures. The growing season for garlic in warm-winter California areas is from fall through spring, which coincides with the least sunlight and shortest days. Be sure to plant […]

by Ann Clary and C. Darren Butler GardenZeus earns commissions on sales made through links in this article. There is no additional cost to you. Sunflower garden plants are often relatively carefree until seeds begin to develop. As their large flowers turn into heavy seed heads, many sunflower varieties, especially mammoth varieties, may benefit from […]

GardenZeus earns commissions on sales made through links in this article. There is no additional cost to you. This is the third in a series of three articles discussing whiteflies in the California home garden. Steps to control active whitefly infestations: 1) For early and small infestations, use a strong stream of water, as from […]

The photo above shows whitefly adults, eggs, and a few oval nymphs at left. The sphere at middle right is a droplet of liquid, either water or fluid from the plant.   GardenZeus earns commissions on sales made through links in this article. There is no additional cost to you. This is the second in […]

This is the first in a series of three articles discussing whiteflies in the California home garden. Whiteflies are a contender for most-pervasive, most-persistent insect pest in gardens throughout California. The worst infestations usually occur in disturbed landscapes that lack predatory insects, and on stressed or over-fertilized plants and trees, during warm-to-hot weather. At least […]