Read more about the article Volunteer Tomatoes – Nature’s Slap in the Face
Random cherry tomato volunteers suspiciously in the location of a recent potluck table.

Volunteer Tomatoes – Nature’s Slap in the Face

Continue ReadingVolunteer Tomatoes – Nature’s Slap in the Face

There is either a great blessing or a humbling cruelty to the fact that volunteer tomatoes grow bigger, faster and stronger than cultivated varieties. By volunteer, I mean the little sprouts that pushed out of the soil all on their own, not planted by me, not planted in rich garden soil, and not necessarily in full sun or even near any source of water. Yet despite these conditions, nature prevails.

I have two, possibly three volunteer tomatoes that popped up in the most unwitting locations. Observe specimen number 1:
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Earwigs Don’t Wear Wigs

Continue ReadingEarwigs Don’t Wear Wigs

We get a lot of pest control questions at Ask Gardenerd. Here's one now:

"Hey Christy, Love your blog - thanks for all the great tips and pics!  I live in Culver City and a year ago I turned my whole back yard into a garden with raised beds. I'm loving it but have noticed lately I have TONS of earwigs. I think they're eating all my veggies, and strawberries for that matter. Any tips on getting rid of them?  Everything I read says to put out cardboard so they will congregate ...

Growing Grains in Small Spaces

Continue ReadingGrowing Grains in Small Spaces

A great question came in to Ask Gardenerd this week:

"I am looking to purchase a variety of grain seeds. Not bulk, not for production? Yet. My goal is start growing and saving seeds from planter pots, as my yard is xeriscaped and I am in the process of trying to sell my home. This way once I move I should have seeds for planting a small scale grain garden for personal use. Where can I find open-pollinated grain seeds that are not planting a whole flappin' acre at a time?"
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New Tools – Christmas in…April

Continue ReadingNew Tools – Christmas in…April

The tell-tale credit card statement reveals that yours truly has been shopping for gardening tools. It's spring - can you blame me? 

While up north at the San Francisco Garden Show I stumbled upon the Lee Valley Tools booth. Oh dear, be still my heart. Before I knew it, my hands were wrapped around a Clarington Forge digging fork. Sturdy, rugged, hand-made, and for those of us who appreciate a good tool when we see one, beautiful. It was the easiest sale of the day. It ...

Gardenerd is Mar Vista’s Bounty Hunter

Continue ReadingGardenerd is Mar Vista’s Bounty Hunter

Gardenerd's Christy Wilhelmi became a columnist for Mar Vista Patch.com this week writing the weekly Farmer's Market report, Mar Vista's Bounty Hunter. If you love the Mar Vista Farmer's Market like we do, you can sign up on Patch.com to get the latest news about what's fresh at the Farmer's Market delivered right to your inbox.

This week's story is all about the strawberries. Even if you don't live in the Los Angeles area, you'll find some great tips about ...

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