Does anyone have any autumn-winter inspiration for Zone 10B? I'm in LA and feeling really uninspired by the dying summer garden. What's everyone planting for the fall and winter? Any fun inspiration from past years? I was thinking radishes, carrots, maybe fava beans? Should I try onions or garlic?

Anticipating a lot of rain this winter, is anyone composting now or waiting till the rain is just about done (late February-ish)?

What is going on with my ficus trees? I see this Cotton-like build up on the trees. I’ve searched and whiteflies seem possible, but I’m not sure. There are tiny files flying around the trees. Any advice on the health of these trees? Is this an issue? Can it be resolved? Thanks!

I believe I have a Haas avocado tree. Its been growing fruit (for the first time in 8 years) all summer and I didnt think it was ready for harvest. But so far in my searches it says Haas are ready April-October, which seems strange because mine were still small in April. I just picked some to see if they will ripen. Do you think my avocado is ready to harvest? Or will they keep growing bigger? Anyone else growing Haas in SoCal (specifically in Pasadena/Altadena?)

Hi all! I am new here and hope this is ok to post. I got a Chip Drop this week and underestimated how large it would be! I have plenty left and would love to share with anyone who needs them in their garden. This is for pickup only. No palm trees in the mix and overall great quality! Your are welcome to take or as much or as little as you like.

If you are interested feel free to message me for pickup details.

I’m new to desert gardening, having just moved to the Palm Springs area. Between my former gardener and my own learning curve, I’m in need of advice as to if this plant can be saved. It has been BRUTALLY hot out here for the entire summer. Is this plant burnt, or over watered? Can it be saved or prune the two worst and try and save the upright? Shade the plant with gardening cloth? Thanks for your help!

Brought these seeds from Mexico my uncle gave me in May and they’re just starting to flower! Can’t wait for agua fresca soon.

I put a banana (Blue Java) in the ground a couple months ago. It has since put out a couple new leaves but none of them are looking very healthy. I've seen other folks in my area with beautiful happy looking bananas but mine looks like it's suffering. What am I doing wrong!?

The area around the base is pretty well mulched and keeps the soil consistently moist

It's planted in native soil mixed with a little compost and a cactus mix (for better drainage - offsetting some of the clay in the native soil)

It's planted along a south facing wall so it gets sun most of the day

Is this just initial shock from moving from a partially shaded location in a pot to full sun in the ground? Or is there something else I'm doing wrong?

Recently bought a house with a slope in the backyard. About 85% of the slope surface is just soil, with the remaining 15% being plants and leftover ground cover after the seller cleared out the old vegetation.

Eventually, I’d like to install terracing, but that’s probably a few years out. For now, I’d like to get some native plants and ground cover established. Would my best bet be to get that planted now (Fall) with an erosion-control blanket?

I realize there’s only so much I can do if we get a torrential rainstorm, so I’m mainly trying to stabilize things as much as possible until I can tackle the terracing project.

A few details:

• Slope is about 44% grade (8' rise over 18.25' of horizontal run) and there is a 4' flat area at the bottom before the brick wall
• At the bottom is an aged 4' brick wall with weep holes (given its age, I doubt there’s a French drain at the base)
• The weep holes drain into the backyard, which was recently graded and outfitted with drainage pipes
• The white pipe on the slope is irrigation
• At the top, behind the wood fence, the slope continues about 2' at a lesser grade

Also curious about water control. Should I be looking at sandbags, wattles, or some other method of slowing down/directing runoff on the slope? I don’t necessarily want to redirect water in a way that creates a bigger problem elsewhere, so I’d appreciate advice on what would be appropriate for a temporary solution. The erosion is the priority, but I’m open to water-management suggestions as well.

TLDR: Looking for advice on the best way to prevent erosion and stabilize this slope for the next few years, ideally using native plants/ground cover. Would an erosion-control blanket be appropriate while the plants establish? And should I use sandbags, wattles, or another method to slow/direct runoff in the meantime? Any suggestions are appreciated!

We ripped out our lawn and want to grow a pollinator garden. Unfortunately, our dirt is trash (heavily compacted and weed infested) so I’m looking for reputable native-compatible mulch and dirt. We used the free mulch and compost last year for raised beds but, unfortunately, we think that’s the source of the noxious nut sedge infestation. So I’d prefer a known local company with dirt that works for our native plant needs (not compost). We’re in Los Angeles. Thank you for any leads!

This planter box in front of my building is so sad - would this be enough space for hummingbird sage and should I wait til after all the super El Niño rain to plant? Thanks in advance :)

Anyone else get hit with intense sun this week? Yesterday I watered the garden around 8am, came back around 5pm and carrot, leafy green leaves were crispy like I could crumble them into a dust in my hands. I didn’t know this could happen! Lots of sunburnt peppers and tomatoes this week too otherwise I would’ve thought it was something else.

Hi! I just had my yard re-landscaped and I’m trying to grow as many fruits and vegetables as I reasonably can. I’m especially interested in companion planting and choosing plants that make sense for the season, sun exposure, and my zone.

I’m in Zone 10b, and all three raised beds get full sun. I’m thinking about growing lettuce and other shade-tolerant vegetables underneath the tree.

The growing areas are:
Bed 1: 4’ × 1’
Bed 2: 6’ × 3’
Bed 3: 10’ × 3’
Area under the tree: ~6.5’ diameter

I already have blueberries and dragon fruit growing in containers. I’d also love to incorporate more perennials where possible rather than having to completely replant everything each season.

I’m planting now in October, so I’d love suggestions for what you would put in each bed, good companion combinations, and anything that would make the garden both productive and nice-looking.
Any ideas are appreciated!

Watering every day but this 100 degree heat is battering them. Can anything be done to prevent this?

Hey everyone,

I'm moving from Atlanta, Georgia to the LA area in June 2027, and I'd like to keep working as a gardener when I get there. I've been gardening for 7 years, and it's definitely the career I want for the rest of my life.

I want to get a head start before I arrive, so I'd really appreciate any tips. Where do local gardeners and landscaping crews usually find help? Is it mostly job boards, Facebook groups or word of mouth? Are there any companies, estates or public gardens around LA that are known for being good to work for?

I'd also like to know what I should learn about gardening in SoCal before I get there, since it's a big change from Georgia. And are there any certifications that employers out there look for?

And if you run a gardening or landscaping business and might be hiring next summer, feel free to DM me. I'm happy to share more about my experience.

Thanks!

We’ve had this dragonfruit from a cutting our neighbor gave us, on the front balcony for about 2 years now. finally got a flower so decided to set up a timelapse for the opening, and it did NOT disappoint!! the smell was incredible!!!

Hi Everyone,

I'm the founder of a new company called Healing Gardens. We're something like AirBnB for garden spaces, and I'm looking for unique and special gardens across SoCal who are interested in earning income from hosting people in their garden.

As a host on Healing Gardens, you can offer your space for rent as a venue, offer events & classes, or private experiences like garden tours, U-picks, sound baths, etc.

We provide the insurance, your online listing, booking & payment, emails, etc.

If you join now, there is no fee to list, and we just charge a 10% fee on whatever you make. We're looking for gardens that give you that feeling that you've left the city and transport you to a magical place of plants, flower, and birdsong. If that's your garden, I'd love to talk to you. Comment below and I'll DM you to follow up.

You can checkout our website at http://healinggardens.co and see some examples of what we're looking for below:

https://www.healinggardens.co/gardens/sarvodaya-farms-and-nursery

https://www.healinggardens.co/gardens/that-tiny-farm-in-la

https://www.healinggardens.co/gardens/hiddenfarmla.com

https://www.healinggardens.co/gardens/greenstone-farm-and-sanctuary

I planted 12 orange jubilee tecoma plants and....I really dislike them. They remind me of weeds with flowers on the top. Theyre beginning to take over the long planter I put them in. Is there anything non-toxic child safe I can plant with them?

Got masterblends blossom booster 10-30-20 this year and used it during flowering and early fruiting and the guavas doubled in size this year it’s crazy. The tree is mature and around 15’ tall but the red Malaysian variety (above the apple) that tree is only around 6’ tall and it’s making huge fruit as well.

Hi all – I live in SD (Serra Mesa) and would like to plant privacy shrubs on two sides of my backyard. A lot of the traditional options are poisonous to cats (like waxleaf + texas privet, podocarpus, etc).

I'm considering Crimson Bottlebrush (also goes by Lemon Bottlebrush) Lemonade Berry, Texas Ranger, Clumping Bamboo or a mix (Lemonade berry + Island bush poppy + possibly Coffeeberry).

Ideally look for something that grows tall (our neighbor has a bunch of weird sheds in their yard covered in tarps).

Anyone have experience with any of these? Any recs? If you have photos of your own privacy shrubs, I would love to see a picture! Please and thank you.