How to Grow Bok Choy for Fabulous Stir-Fries

Bok choy, or Chinese cabbage, has been cultivated in China for over 1,500 years. In Cantonese, the name “bok choy” means “white vegetable,” referring to its pale, crunchy stems. Over time, this nutritious vegetable spread globally and became an...

Growing Calendula from Seed: Guidelines for Success

Calendula is more than a pretty face — it’s a common ingredient in herbal teas, home remedies, and skincare products. The sun-loving “pot marigold” is beautiful and edible, and its ability to attract pollinators makes it a beneficial garden plant,...

14 Common Gardening Mistakes to Avoid

Are you the neighborhood brown thumb? The wannabee master gardener who has mastered only plant destruction? There may be a problem with your gardening technique (duh!) that undermines the health of your plants. In this blog, we list the most common gardening mistakes...

Japanese Maple Tree Care for California Gardeners

Move over Canada; there’s a new maple tree in town! Only this tree is far from new in any sense. The graceful Japanese maple (Acer palmatum), native to Japan, Korea, and China, has been cultivated for centuries in Asia. It was introduced to the USA following the...

Best Practices for Gardenia Care in Southern California

The gardenia comes from tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands. The plant adapts well to Southern California’s benign climate and rewards the attentive gardener with fragrant, creamy white blossoms from late spring through...