Author Archives: Gardenside Studio

June 2013 – Gardening Myths

Rita's Monthly Gardening Tips,  June 4, 2013

ritaIn the informational world how do we know how to separate fact from fallacy, the wheat from the chaff? How do we take old wives’ tales with a grain of salt? How do we practice a healthy dose of caveat emptor when being presented with miraculous claims by a snake oil salesman?

The answer is to arm yourself with factual knowledge. Knowing what products and practices are truly beneficial will save you money and help to increase your success in gardening. The links below will lead you to research-based evidence by experts in the horticulture field. Under each link there is a list of the myths that are discussed so you can look at all of them or pick and choose ones that you want to know more about.   Continue reading →

May 2013 – Drought-Tolerant Plants

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Rita's Monthly Gardening Tips,  May 1, 2013

ritaChoosing plants that require little water treads gently on resources, saving you money on your water bill and helping to conserve the limited water available.

Considering California native plants is a good place to start. Keep in mind that although some natives are drought- tolerant, others may need regular to high amounts of water. If your primary goal is to have a water-conserving landscape, you can broaden your search to include plants that are adapted to similar growing conditions, such as from the American Southwest, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, and the Mediterranean.   Continue reading →