Only Male Flowers?
What to do if your plants are only producing male flowers
Our sad corn after a rat attack.
Corn Fail – Rats Again!
We're growing Glass Gem popping corn this year, but we may not get to see the results because we've got rats again. They're more aggressive than ever this year, probably because we gave them an in. In dealing with the corn worms that burrowed into each ear, we went digging for each one, found them, and destroyed them. But that left behind an opening: loose husks to entice rats. By pulling open each ear, we undid nature's protection and exposed…
Fireworks over Los Angeles
Fireworks – A Toxic Tradition?
I was in town for the 4th of July this year. Usually I'm celebrating our freedom by backpacking at around 9,000 feet in the pristine silence of the Sierras over the 4th of July holiday. I had no idea Los Angeles turned into a war zone in my absence. We celebrate with fireworks. The literal sound of bombs bursting in air is the sign of our celebration. It's a beautiful sight, but a few things occurred to me as I…
When to Harvest Green Beans
When and how to harvest your green beans
Review & Giveaway: 101 Chilies to Try Before You Die
Are you a chili grower? Do you like your peppers hot? If that's true, then 101 Chilies to Try Before You Die by David Floyd is for you. Floyd is a chili expert (www.chilefoundry.co.uk) who has written about chili peppers and experimented with chilies for the last 20 years. He's dabbled in selling his own chili products (including chili ice cream) and reports in his introduction to the book that his career took him on many trips to California, "where…
Fresh oranges from our tree
Ask Gardenerd: Citrus Fruit Tree Care
The questions keep flowing in this time of year. Here's the latest from Jim: "How much water and fertilizer do I need for 2 y o blood orange tree. And do those minimums change in hot or cold weather? My leaves have 2-color leaves, green near midrib and yellowish towards outside Why?" Jim, you might not like my answer, but it is the answer to many a gardening question: it depends. Fertilizer and water needs depend entirely on your soil.…
Prep for Storing Seeds
Blythe asks, how to deal with bugs in seeds.
Kellogg's Breakfast Tomato
Ask Gardenerd: Pruning Tomatoes
Summer is the perfect time for this question from Jeff Bremer: "Hi Christy, What's your opinion on pinching-off the "branches" that sprout out of tomato plants? Some of my friends don't pinch at all, but my neighbor pinches his plants back so he has only one "stem." Thx, Jeff " Ah yes, to pinch or not to pinch, that is the question. What are we pinching? Side shoots and suckers. Side shoots are additional vines that grow from the base…
Slice shallots thin. Pieces should be evenly sized if possible.
Preserving Shallots
Shallots are a luxury. They're expensive and they don't store for long. So we grow them ourselves. But when it's time to harvest, that last part (about not storing for long) becomes an issue. Enter our solar food dryer. Preserving shallots is easy when you dehydrate them. Dried shallots are perfect because they store all year long, they reconstitute easily in most dishes and they pass for fresh in flavor. Whether you use dried shallots in scrambled eggs, soups, or…
Which Mulch, Hay or Straw or Chip Bark?
What is the best type of mulch to use?