Why not to Plant Magnolias and Jacarandas
If you are considering planting a tree, you might want to eliminate southern magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) and jacaranda from your list of choices. There is a bacterial disease that is infecting t...
Category Archives: Pests
California’s Worst Weeds
If there is one daily activity that unites the human race above all others, it’s weeding. Most people on Earth still grow at least some of the food they eat and, in order for their seeds to grow into...
Biological Pest Control Made Simple
Biological control of undesirable garden pests is the desirable way to go Biological control is a garden management tool that encourages natural processes by bringing one living organism into the ga...
Oomycetes and Powdery Mildew Fungus
Oomycete. No, it’s not a typo. Oomycete really does start with two o’s. It’s pronounced oh-oh-MY-seat, emphasis on “my” although the presence of oomycetes in the garden is m...
How to Protect Fruit from Birds and Squirrels
How to Protect Fruit from Birds and Squirrels We have some fruit trees and they do bear fruit. However, the birds and the squirrels eat the fruit and then leave it half eaten on the ground. I am sure...
Acorn Pancakes, Critter Control, Italian Cypresses
In response to my search for solutions to critter problems in the garden, I received an email from Gina Danza in La Mirada. “A good way to keep critters away,” Danza wrote, “is to put ch...
Gopher Control Options
I hope you can give us some suggestions as to what is best to plant on a hillside in poor soil and is not liked by gophers. Red apple iceplant (Aptenia hybrid) seems to do well but is eventually eat...
Oomycetes: Strange Word, Familiar Problem
Oomycete. No, it’s not a typo. Oomycete really does start with two o’s. It’s pronounced oh-oh-MY-seat, emphasis on “my” although the presence of oomycetes in the garden is mo...
History of Snail Problem in California
History of Snail Problem in California If you happen to be a local oenologist — a winemaker, that is — the name of Antoine Delmas could well be near and dear to your heart. If you happe...
Biological Control of Snails and Rodents in the Garden
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the European brown garden snail and the damage it does to our plants. I received some noteworthy emails in response. “I was born and grew up in Southern California,” Pat...
