Garden

When to plant: February–April, August–September (maybe October) Broccoli matures in 60 to 90 days, depending on the time of year and the variety planted. Harvest broccoli heads as soon as they reach maturity. Ideally the buds on the heads should still be small and firm, not swelling or starting to open,…

There are many herbs that grow well or even grow best in the cool season in Santa Clara County. Fall is also a great time to plant perennial herbs because it lets them get well established over our rainy season. Listed below are the herb seedlings that we will be offering.

Lovage, Levisticum officinale, originates from the Eastern Mediterranean. It is typically grown for its leaves, stems, roots, and seeds. The leaves have a flavor similar to celery, only stronger. They are commonly used to flavor salads, soups, and stews. Lovage is considered to be an herb, but the stems can…

If you must have a lawn, raise mower blade to 3 inches. Photo credit: Ulrike Mai from Pixabay If your power and water bills rise dramatically every summer, your garden might not be as green as it looks. Although a beautiful garden can bring joy, it can also waste energy.

Colorful flowers and towering trees are lovely, but plants are so much more than that.

You can get a jump start on new plants by growing them from seeds indoors. This is a good way to grow edible plants, because there are many more varieties available from seed. Learn more about growing edibles from seed.

Earthworms are an excellent indicator of healthy soil. Photo, Sippakorn Yamkasikorn, Pexels Dirt and soil are NOT the same thing. Dirt is a lifeless mixture of minerals, air, and water.

Credit: UC ANR A soil amendment is any material added to soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, drainage, aeration, and structure. They can also be used to modify soil pH. There are lots of different materials available you can use to improve your soil.

Powdery mildew is common in warm, dry conditions. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Check soil moisture and adjust the watering schedule on your irrigation controller accordingly. Water early in the day. Watch container plants which may need daily watering.

Coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) like wet winters and dry summers. L. Stiles There are 20 oak trees native to California. These stately trees create iconic landscapes, live up to 400 years, and provide tremendous benefits. Oaks are good investments -- for homeowners and the environment.