Open-center vase pruning suits stone fruits, but apples, pears, and citrus need different approaches. Here is how to prune the right way for each tree.

Potting soil is not actually soil, and it does not last forever. The organic materials decompose, causing compaction and poor drainage within 1 to 2 years.

Pine needles barely affect soil pH as they decompose. They actually make excellent, free mulch for California gardens. Here is what the research shows.

Garden advice from other regions says to lime your soil every spring, but most California soils are already neutral to alkaline. A soil test tells the real story.

Organic pesticides are not automatically safe. Some are toxic to bees, fish, and soil life. Here is what every California gardener needs to know before spraying.

Compost tumblers are convenient but not required for good compost. A simple pile or bin produces the same result for a fraction of the cost.

You do not need a big yard. A 4x8-foot raised bed can produce 50 to 100 pounds of vegetables per season with intensive planting techniques.

California native gardens are not messy or brown when designed well. With the right plant choices, they offer year-round color and structure on far less water.

Many vegetables grow just as well from direct sowing in California. Only a few warm-season crops truly benefit from an indoor head start. Know which is which.