Dear Garden Guru,

Can you recommend a list of Mediterranean climate tolerant herbs, fruits, veggies, and flowers which attract bees and hummingbirds? Any guidance will be much appreciated.

Wayne in San Francisco

Hi Wayne,

First tip is to take care of the soil. Don’t skip on the amendments that will help retain moisture and offer nutrition. Water regularly, especially the flowers and vegetables. Choose organic fertilizers that will not harm the beneficial soil organisms that help your plants’ root systems by improving nutrient uptake and guarding against disease. Actinovate is a wonderful supplement for any new garden plant.

Vegetables: peas, lettuces, chard, beets, cabbages, broccoli, mustard, spinach, carrots, radishes, kohlrabi, arugula (actually all your greens), in the summer- cherry tomatoes too. Herbs- parsley, cilantro, rosemary, chervil, savory, sage, thyme, oregano, marjoram

Fruits: raspberries, southern highbush blueberries, apples, pears, strawberries, loquat, pineapple guava, lemon, kumquat, Trovita orange

Flowers that attract beneficials and pollinators: white alyssum, cosmos, achillea, agastache, tulbaghia, Oenothera, Eriogonum (Buckwheat), Erigeron, Dianthus

Hummingbirds: Abutilon, Fuchsia, Agastache, Salvia greggii, Salvia clevelandii, Nasturtium, Delphinium

There is so much more, but this will get you started.

Dear Garden Guru,

I am saving the rinse water from the washing machine to water the potted plants. What effect will that have on the outdoor potted plants?

John in Bay Area

Hi John,

Dear John,

The rinse water from the washer is fine for potted plants as long as you are using a biodegradable detergent. Liquid detergents are better than powders. Avoid any that contain chlorine bleach, boron/borax, and any ingredient with the word sodium in its name. Also, if your water is softened, it contains salt.

The one concern with greywater is that you can get a build up of harmful salts if you use it on the same plants or the same area repeatedly. We recommend saving and using the rinse water, versus the wash water, because it will contain more dilute amounts of soap.

Dear Garden Guru,

How will the drought affect planting freesia bulbs this year ?

Rosey in San Francisco

Hi Rosey,

Freesia are actually fairly drought tolerant, originating in the arid eastern region of South Africa. What they do need is a good winter chill to set the best flowers (usually not a problem for us!). Freesia will actually begin to sprout without irrigation or rain.