Plant Care

These are evergreen grasses that look good all year. Water Provide water during periods of drought; if not watered during these times, they tend to go dormant which results in brown foliage. Feed Dont add fertilizer; will become floppy if too much is added.

Protect sensitive plants from cold injury when frost is predicted. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Chop up cover crop foliage into small pieces if you grew a cover crop. Turn under or add the clippings to your compost pile.

Here are recommended tools and basic pruning techniques for maintaining the health of a plant and for accentuating key attributes, such as leaves, bark, branch structure, flowers, fruit, or other desirable characteristics. Bypass pruners or shears BYPASS SHEARS Bypass shears are like scissors.

When to plant: March–April (after last frost date) Harvest window: Varies widely depending on variety Fertilization: Nitrogen throughout the growing season; iron, zinc, and other nutrients may be needed Train young trees to promote lateral growth.

Three main types of raspberries are grown in the United States: red, purple and black. They differ in ways other than fruit color. Red raspberries have erect canes and are propagated by suckers. These are usually grown in the Western States. Black raspberries have arched canes that root at the tips. Purple…

Alstroemeria aurea 'Saturne'. Photo: Wikimedia Commons Perennials are flowering plants that live longer than two seasons. Some are evergreen; others die back at the end of the flowering season and then regrow from the same roots the following year. Perennials are dependable and easy.

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.

Links to information on gardening and irrigation, water-wise plants and landscaping, and water-wise living.

Wells Brothers Farm > What is (and isn't) a fertilizer > Why fertilize? > What to use > Understanding labels & terms > Chemical vs.

Plant painted lady gladiola corms (Gladiolus carneus) in spring for a beautiful summer display. Photo: Creative Commons Maintenance and prevention Troubleshoot irrigation system for missing or clogged emitters and broken spray heads. Begin irrigation as rainy season ends.