Where space, budget, and your energy level allow, devote at least part of a home landscape to growing native plants.Start ...

Q. My tomatoes are starting to ripen, but the ends are turning black and getting soggy. Is there some insect or disease that is causing this? What can I do about it? R.G., Castro Valley A. No insects ...

QUESTION: Are all forms of light the same to plants? For example, I have some outdoor plants that I bring into the garage during the winter months to protect them, and there is some ambient light from ...

QUESTION: After the snow was gone, I spent several hours checking out the plants in my yard. While looking at my flowering cherry tree, I noticed several black growths on some of the limbs. Do you ...

Q. I have seen some references to the use of kaolin clay in the garden. What do you know about it, what is it, and how is it used in the garden? — L. Smith, Franklin A. The use of kaolin as a crop ...

A. No insects or diseases. It’s called blossom-end rot, and although it can be common in tomatoes, it also happens in peppers, squashes, cucumbers and melons. It’s caused by a lack of calcium, but ...