Listing last updated on 08 Jul 2020.

United States

We moved in 2018 to a new home. Climate is dry, Zone 9B, hot summers, and sometimes cool wet winters, but lately mostly warm and dry. Highs top out around 110 occasionally for several months in summer, and lows in 30's in winter. We are situated on an aluvial fan coming out of a canyon, so soil is a mix of rock, sand, and some loam. The good news is the yard is mostly a blank slate; I can do what I want finally! The downside is there will be a lot of work mulching with organic matter to slowly improve the soil. Water restrictions have made summer just a game of survival, with best flowers in spring and fall. I feed mostly organic food, occasionally supplemented with liquid miracle grow and epsom salt in late winter. I have always been strictly a no-spray garden, but with the infestation of Chilli Thrips this year, they have been decimating all the roses, and so far there doesn't seem to be any good organic controls. So, sadly, I may be forced to start spraying next spring...poor beneficials :-(