Plant Care

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Asparagus

Asparagus is a perennial plant that can produce for years if grown with care. Choose a site in full sun and prepare the soil well. The plants send up 5-foot tall, ferny growth over the summer, so plant them where they won't undesirably shade other plants. Asparagus plants will be either male or female. The…
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succulent
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How to Choose

We can grow thousands of different plants in our mild climate, which can make a visit to the nursery overwhelming. Photo, Leone Christine, Unsplash Thanks to Marin's mild climate, we can grow thousands of different plants.
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Banner water on leaves
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Irrigation: How to, How Much

Too much water is the most common cause of decline in landscape trees and shrubs, either through directly killing plants or making them more prone to disease. Too much watering can result in fertilizer runoff into storm drains and pollutes waterways.
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cymbidiums
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May

May is a good time to repot Cymbidium orchids. Photo: Creative Commons Maintenance and prevention Check hose fittings for spent washers and leaks. Ensure hose has a shut off valve or other water conserving feature. Aerate and fertilize lawn areas using an organic fertilizer.
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Under Oaks

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.
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Clay Soil

If you feel like you need a jackhammer to bust into your garden soil, you've got clay. This is a familiar garden complaint in Marin. If you want to make your clay soil more workable, you can amend it with organic material.
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Fruits & Nuts
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Apple

When to plant: January–March Harvest window: July–October, depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen in spring, additional applications based on tree age, health, and soil quality Dormant Pruning (January–February) to encourage vigor; Summer pruning (post-harvest) to control vigor
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Celery

Celery is challenging to grow in most of Santa Clara County. It grows best at 60–65ºF though it will tolerate temperatures from 45–75ºF. But it is difficult to find a four-month growing period in Santa Clara County that stays within that temperature range.
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espaliered apples
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Espalier

Much planning goes into espalier. Pixabay Creating an espalier is an especially fun and rewarding method of growing flowering and fruiting plants in a garden. The process has existed for many hundreds of years and, although challenging for complex forms, is achievable by even novice gardeners.
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