Lisa Myers

We’re hearing a lot about El Nino lately, and if the forecasts hold, we could be in for a wet winter. After learning a few hard lessons in previous rainy seasons, I want to help you prepare your garden for whatever this year's El Nino might have in store. Gardens love a good rain, but too much water can cause problems. Roots need both water and air. When soil stays soggy, roots can become deprived of oxygen, leading to stress and root rot. Here are six simple ways to prepare your garden...

Meet My Watermelon Twins Growing watermelon in Southern California (and especially on the coast) can be tricky — but it's manageable with a little know-how. Here's what I've learned. Small Melon, Big Ambitions Smaller varieties like Sugar Baby don't need sprawling rows. They'll happily grow up a trellis (with a little support) or hang out of a large pot, which makes them a real option even in a small yard. And they are so, so sweet! Patience is a Planting Strategy Watermelon takes its time to...

Every year, the baby finches arrive in my vegetable garden with tiny feather "horns," enormous opinions, and no interest in feeding themselves. They sit directly on the food, yell for a parent to feed them anyway, and generally behave like the horned devil children of the garden. And honestly? My family absolutely loves them. That's one of the quiet joys of growing a food and pollinator-friendly garden — it feeds us, but it also becomes a habitat. A hummingbird pausing at a tomato flower. A...