Local Roots
The dirt on soil
One great thing about working with plants of all types, irrigation systems and landscapes on a regular basis is that you can get great hands-on experience and learn oftentimes much more from doing and solving problems than you would by attending a lecture or a class.
Oleander under attack
One of my favorite plants here in Encinitas and California for that matter is now under attack and will cost us tax payers millions of dollars in the future because of dead or dying plants.
The history of the pumpkin
October is finally here and the weather has begun to change ever so slightly. This is my favorite month of the year. The Santa Ana winds come now, blowing back great plumes of offshore spray as they course up the faces of late summer swells creating giant arching rainbows of seawater.
Many upsides to planting horse tail
Sometimes it seems to me that the most interesting and unusual plants found in the world usually end up being what we call “living fossils.” Equisetum — commonly known as horse tail, snake grass or puzzle grass — is one of these.
Many upsides to planting horse tail
Sometimes it seems to me that the most interesting and unusual plants found in the world usually end up being what we call “living fossils.” Equisetum — commonly known as horse tail, snake grass or puzzle grass — is one of these.
Tricks of the landscaping trade
Working in the field as a landscape contractor for so many years has been quite an education. Many times I have been confronted with unusual situations and either been taught by others how to solve them or I have been lucky enough to have come up with some of my own solutions.
Caring for your staghorn fern
In my last column, I talked about building shade structures or lathe houses to create a different climate for your shade loving plants and juvenile tropicals. One of my favorite plants that loves the shade house environment in So Cal is the staghorn fern.
Create a unique and inviting lathe house
For many plant enthusiasts, one of the best ways to duplicate the shady environs of Mother Nature and create an artificial home for tender and juvenile plants is to build a lathe house.
Moving large plants isn’t easy
When you work in the field, you will often find plants that are beautiful but too large for their environs.
Adding art to your garden isn’t new
Gardens can be awe-inspiring, beautiful and full of color, places of quiet relaxation and meditation or just plain working areas for food production.
