http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys. In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions. en-us prubin@sacbee.com 2008-05-12T12:44:51-08:00 hourly 1 2000-01-01T12:00+00:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012505.html The drip/spray system has been working for a week, and already needs a bit of fine tuning. The tomato leaves are blocking one of the emitters, so I’ll need to move it over a bit. The bean seeds are just... 12505@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-12T12:44:51-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012464.html I’ve always thought I should plan a party to coincide with the bloom of the rockroses (Cistus). Green, drought tolerant shrubs for most of the year, in late spring they suddenly surprise you with an abundance of bloom. The crepe... 12464@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-09T11:54:25-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012432.html Q: I’m interested in using natural and organic ways of controlling pests in my vegetable garden, but I’m not sure exactly what to do. I’d like to make homemade insecticidal soap. Can I use dish soap? Julianna Haubeck, Carmichael A:... 12432@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-08T11:05:21-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012400.html I remember as a child planting radish seeds in school. They sprout quickly and produce plump red radishes in a matter of weeks. The garden books say you can plant radishes every two weeks through July for a continuous crop.... 12400@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-07T11:06:20-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012362.html Q: I have 2 ‘Bloodgood’ Japanese maples in pots on my patio. They’re five to seven years old. The problem is they no longer stay red. The new growth is red, but then as the leaves mature they turn green... 12362@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-06T09:57:48-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012351.html A couple of hours ago I harvested a head of lettuce, dozens of radishes, arugula leaves, chives and parsley from the Bee’s Square Foot Garden. And most of that produce became today’s lunch. It doesn’t get much fresher than that.... 12351@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-05-05T15:20:01-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012259.html My vermicomposting project is doing well. I’m using a worm bin called Can-O-Worms, which is a series of three trays that sit on top of a fourth tray. The top three trays are where the worms live and eat. The... 12259@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-30T13:20:13-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012234.html Q: What is good deer resistant groundcover? We live at 2000 feet, occasionally get snow, and am looking for something easy to maintain, pleasant to look at. Flowers are OK. One side of the house is sunny, the other shady.... 12234@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-29T15:15:02-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012196.html Q: Is it too late in the year to start vegetables? The only vegetables we have ever grown were tomatoes, but your grid garden has got us excited about the possibilities. Matt Shadle A: No, it isn't too late at... 12196@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-28T13:09:12-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012191.html It’s spittlebug season. You’ve seen them. They look like masses of foamy spit against the stems of plants. In my garden, they seem to love the yarrow, the asters, the mint and the roses. Whenever I see them, I wash... 12191@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-28T11:51:19-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012134.html Q: I have gnats in one of my houseplants. Any suggestions on how to get rid of them? Phyllis Percival, Sacramento A: They’re more of a nuisance than they are destructive to the plants, but I agree, the gnats need... 12134@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-25T12:16:19-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/012117.html The Bee garden is just a few weeks old, and already it’s changed considerably. It doesn’t look anything like its early pictures. The cucumber seeds have sprouted. The arugula has grown six inches. The romaine seedlings are now a few... 12117@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-24T16:08:37-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/011979.html Plus our online experts have devised an interactive graphic for readers. Simply mouse over the drawing of the garden, and a photograph of each crop will pop up along with an explanation of what we planted. And, you can... 11979@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-18T12:50:52-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/011931.html It didn't take long with the nice weather we had for the cucumber seeds to sprout in The Bee Garden. I planted them April 7, and on April 14 there they were peeking their cotyledons out of the soil. I... 11931@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-16T15:58:04-08:00 http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/archives/011868.html The Bee’s Square Foot Garden is already producing cool weather crops. Radishes are ready, as well as red and green lettuce, arugula and endive. I couldn't resist adding a few marigold flowers for a festive touch for this photograph. When... 11868@http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/garden/ 2008-04-14T15:17:48-08:00