Gardening
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Sustainable is attainable in landscaping. As gardeners, we are at the forefront of the new green revolution. Thirty years ago, most home landscaping consisted of lawn, foundation plantings, a few trees, and perhaps a bed for flowers or vegetables. Plants were chosen for their color when flowering and their availability at garden centers. Maintenance included mowing, fertilizing, spraying, pruning and watering. But we now know that native plants can endure without synthetic chemicals or fertilizer, or much watering or labor, once established. And that insects that depend on native plants are important food for birds. Knowing this, gardeners can take steps to promote sustainability in their landscapes. It involves how you use your property – everything you own. Here are some key steps that will help you create a sustainable gardening culture and promote renewable energy: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081102/news_1hs02sustain.html
Southern California Natives
Don't spoil salvia. Cut back on food and water to get the most out of native sage. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080629/news_1hs29sages.html
Salvias for San Diego gardens. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080629/news_1hs29sagebar.html
butterfly gardens
Habitat for Harmony. HOW TO GARDEN THE WAY NATURE INTENDED. http://www.slate.com/id/2186339/
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070513/news_lz1hs13butter.html
Miniature plants fill small niche in yard
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070121/news_1hs21small.html
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070121/news_1hs21gargoal.html
Local gardens prove to be fertile ground for good ideas
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070107/news_mz1hs07judys.html
Seasons
Spring
Summer
In the Garden. July 2008 http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080629/news_1hs29julgarm.html
In the garden. August 3, 2008 http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080803/news_1hs03auggarm.html
Fall
October and April should be the two busiest months in San Diego-area gardens. Cool-season flowers and vegetables can be planted with great success this month. Weather-wise, conditions are usually ideal for working in the garden. Plants thrive in our warm days and cool evenings and the soil stays warm, which gets new plants off to a good start. Although you won't be able to enjoy their color until next spring, October is a choice month for planting perennials. By planting them now, they will develop a strong root structure during our cool weather and then burst into glorious color in the spring. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080928/news_1hs28octgarm.html
September should be an exciting month in San Diego-area gardens. The middle of the month marks the start of our fall gardening season. Here, you can plant a huge array of cool-season vegetables and flowers. September is also the beginning of our bulb planting season. A number of bulb selections may be planted this month, although some should not be planted until October or November. Even the bulbs for later planting can be purchased this month while they are fresh, before being pawed over in the bins. Store them in a cool, dry area for later planting. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080831/news_1hs31sepgarm.html
Cool weather doesn't mean saying goodbye to your garden. August 3, 2008. It is time to plant your 2008 autumn vegetable garden. What are the cool-season vegetables to include in your autumn garden? Choose from the following: beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage (including Chinese cabbage), carrots, cauliflower, celery, celtuce, chard, collards, cress, endive, escarole, garlic, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard greens, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas (including edible-podded and sugar snap peas), potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, salsify, shallots, spinach and turnips. Most of the above will have to be planted from seeds, but some, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery and onions are available as transplants at most local nurseries. You will save about six weeks of growing time by using transplants. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080803/news_1hs03cool.html
Autumn is a cool time to garden http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070923/news_1hs23sage.html
Winter
Vegetable Gardens
The Science of Gardening. How evidence-based growing beats relying on old wives' tales. http://www.slate.com/id/2205576/
With proper preparation and know-how, even newbies can harvest a bumper crop of satisfaction along with their homegrown veggies -- and maybe save some money. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-cover14-2008sep14,0,1979735.story
Homegrown harvest. Three local kitchen gardens show that you can do it, too. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080803/news_1hs03kitgars.html
You can create a garden that's dirt cheap. Making the most out of the least. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080706/news_1hs06garsave.html
A kitchen garden can grow year-round. With great California weather, a small plot for growing vegetables can keep you in fresh produce all year long. http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-lyons19-2008jun19,0,7442391.story
plants
red bougainvillea vine http://mgonline.com/bougainvillea.html
Succulents
Succulent compositions enhance the mid-mod look http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080720/news_1hs20mod.html
spring, wild flowers
Wildflower Update for March 8, 2008 http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=24977