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![Growing Artichokes: Common Questions From Readers](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/growing-purple-romagna-artichokes-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Growing Artichokes: Common Questions From Readers
Growing artichokes is such a joy. ♥ Here in Southern California artichokes are easy to grow. They love our mediterranean climate and are fantastic candidates for those of you looking to create an edible, low-maintenance landscape. If you go to the grocery store,...
![How to Grow Leeks- An Easy Cool Season Crop](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/a-freshly-harvested-leek-small-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
How to Grow Leeks- An Easy Cool Season Crop
Want to talk about a plant-it-and-forget-it crop? Leeks are not only delicious, but they are extremely low maintenance, easy to grow from seed, and take up very little space! The best news might be that, even in a garden typically plagued by pests, leeks tend to...
![Our Favorite Ways To Use & Preserve Citrus](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Spilling-Citrus-small.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Our Favorite Ways To Use & Preserve Citrus
One of the best parts about gardening in Southern California is the citrus. This time of year there is literally citrus galore---especially in Orange County. I grew up in a neighborhood, not far from where I live now, that used to be an orange grove. In fact, many...
![What Does Direct Sowing vs. Transplanting Mean?](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/transplanting-salanova-lettuce-e1573171818897.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
What Does Direct Sowing vs. Transplanting Mean?
What does it mean to direct sow seeds? How do I know if I should direct sow? These are common questions I get from readers, so I'd like to take some time to define some of these terms and also cover the pros and cons of direct sowing and the alternative: ...
![Things To Consider When Buying a Fruit Tree](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Tangerine-Tree-full-of-fruit-scaled.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Things To Consider When Buying a Fruit Tree
Are you considering buying a fruit tree? Welcome! You are about to embark on a rewarding edible landscape journey. While I will try fun and interesting new vegetables or flowers on a whim, fruit trees are different. Fruit trees typically cost more money, take longer...
![Growing Peas in Southern California](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/orange-county-gardening.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Growing Peas in Southern California
Is there anything better than walking through the garden, plucking a pea from the vine, and devouring it as a sweet and crunchy snack? Today I'm here to share my tips for growing peas Southern California. Believe it or not, peas are usually touted as being an "easy...
![Fresh Homemade Holiday Wreath Tutorial](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/making-a-fresh-evergreen-holiday-wreath.jpg?resize=1080%2C675&ssl=1)
Fresh Homemade Holiday Wreath Tutorial
Being a gardener and a plant lover, it's no surprise that I spot fresh, local greenery that is perfect for home decor everywhere I look. As the holidays approach, I like to find ways to bring the garden indoors to enjoy. I'm going to show you how it's possible to take...
![10 Gifts for Gardeners Who Love to Cook](https://i0.wp.com/freckledcalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/20191212_183658_0000.png?resize=945%2C675&ssl=1)
10 Gifts for Gardeners Who Love to Cook
I'd like to preface this list by saying that I LOVE homemade gifts---jams/jellies, herb mixes, fresh baked cookies---you know what I mean. But, I also know that sometimes you prefer to buy a gift. Maybe you don't enjoy baking or crafting, or maybe you ran out of time....