Mar 5th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

more scv gardening tips

The hillsides are turning their rich shade of green and building up material to crisp into dried brown later in the year.  If you live near open land, this is a good time to whack back some of that growth for future fire prevention.  It cuts much more easily at this time of year than when it shrivels into tough fiber.  It’s also a good time to get going on weeding gardens and lawns.  Dandelions and... read more

Feb 26th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

smart array controller makes landscaping easy

Although some of the more elaborate irrigation timers you can buy to regulate water in your garden may be a little pricey, buying a good timer or controller really will save you both water and money. This year the Los Angeles area has been gifted with slightly over average rainfall. Although many folks think we are getting a lot of rain it’s only because we’ve become habituated to low-rainfall winters... read more

Feb 19th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

february planting in scv

Time to go to the nurseries and home supply stores to snap up the last of the bare-root trees, bushes and vines. This is the most economical way to buy them and after a short soak in water (while you dig their new homes), these plants take well to winter planting as they sleep through the whole experience and awaken in spring in their new locations. Lilac, wisteria, fruit, nut and ornamental trees, grapes,... read more

Feb 12th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

care for those early spring bloomers

Most flowers unfurl in the spring.  But there are several groups of plants you can count on to add color as the winter comes to an end.  These plants need your attention now. Deciduous (winter leaf-dropping) fruit trees are extremely decorative as well as productive.  Most of them bloom in the late winter and early springtime. You can buy dwarf trees (from 3 – 10 ft. tall), semi-dwarf trees (usually... read more

Feb 5th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

10 reasons to turn off those sprinklers in santa clarita

After all the rain we’ve just had in the Santa Clarita area, why on earth do people still have their automatic sprinklers on? It is astonishing how many homes are pouring water over sodden soil. With water restrictions imposed on many areas last summer and water costs escalating, one might think it wouldn’t be difficult to press a button or turn a switch to set the irrigation time on “off” to save... read more

Jan 29th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

santa clarita gardening this week

Now that the big spate of rain is passing into history, you can start thinking about the garden again. First, make sure some of the moisture drains away from your soil before working on it. Even walking on mud will compress it, squeezing out helpful air pockets. And muddy shoes don’t do a lot for your interior decor either. So let the soil dry out a bit before gardening starts. Keep an eye on the... read more

Jan 22nd 10 Posted by Jane Gates

winter garden

The weather may be less predictable at this time of year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still do plenty in the garden.  As I’ve mentioned before, it is not recommended to walk on soggy soil as it compacts the clay particles, not to mention it makes a mess of your shoes.  But periods between rains are ideal for clean-up and planting.  All that foliage blown off trees is perfect to break down in a... read more

Jan 15th 10 Posted by Jane Gates

a basic garden design 101

Garden design is a complex subject, but, as with anything else, you can start with the fundamentals. This article will give you an overview to designing with plants in your Santa Clarita landscape, starting with four areas to concentrate upon. PICK YOUR FAVORITE THEME. You will want to settle on a theme for your garden. Make sure it is something that will blend — it doesn’t have to actually... read more