Straw bales conjure up images of hay rides, old episodes of Hee Haw on YouTube, and livestock at feeding time. But did you know they’re increasingly popular in urban gardens? No garden plot required! They’re a perfect medium for veggies, herbs, flowers —...
The Aztecs gave us words like “chocolate,” “tomato,” and “avocado.” They developed chinampas, or floating gardens, to feed their large population. And they were the first to cultivate zinnias, a flower they called...
Southern California’s mild climate offers the perfect environment for native and exotic blooms and, by extension, pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. These tiny creatures facilitate plant reproduction and garden health. In return,...
Plumeria, also known as frangipani or temple tree, are tropical American shrubs or small trees with sweet, fragrant blooms. Despite their close association with Hawaii (aloha!), plumeria plants are native to the Caribbean Basin. They thrive in Southern...
One of gardening’s oldest techniques is also one of the cheapest and most effective. And it’s especially useful in dry climates like Southern California’s. We’re talking about mulching or covering the soil with a protective layer. What makes it...
