​Question asked on the radio show:  Someone on a Facebook group recently suggested that I use a fish hydrolysate for my potted plants. I have fish emulsion, is that okay to use?

NICK answers the question like this on the radio: Great attempt at trying to pronounce that word. I’d pronounce it hydrolysate. Fish hydrolysate and a fish emulsion are two different things yet they are both used for fertilizing plants.

One is better than the other. Fish emulsion is what is processed after the fish has been used for food then they'll make oils out of it,   make up and other non-essential things. It's cooked down for all those products into a sludge which hammers most the nutrients out of it. Fish hydrolysate, on the other hand, is made after they use it for edible purposes usually making fish fillets and is a cold process that retains higher nutrients. If you visit Dramm.com and follow the consumer links to their Drammatic Organic Fertilizer they have information that talks about it in detail.  My vote is for the hydrolysate.

Improve the ambiance and security of your home with outdoor lighting. Discover different types of outdoor lighting and useful tips to enhance your outdoor space with this comprehensive guide.

Improve the ambiance and security of your home with outdoor lighting. Discover different types of outdoor lighting and useful tips to enhance your outdoor space with this comprehensive guide.

Modern architecture has taken root in Green Architecture. As cities evolve and greenery becomes a coveted asset, merging architecture with nature takes on new dimensions. This revolutionary concept not only redefines the aesthetics of homes but also promises many environmental, psychological, and economic benefits. These innovative green spaces are reshaping how we perceive, design, and experience residential living, promising a harmonious blend of nature and architecture like never before. Nurturing the urban ecosystem: benefits of vertical gardens In the concrete jungles of our cities, a green revolution is quietly taking root. Rooftop paradises and vertical vegetation are not just architectural innovations but champions of sustainability, ushering in a new era of urban design.

Organic powdery mildew control on vegetables is a common challenge for many gardeners. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects the leaves and stems of various plants, especially those in the cucurbit family, such as cucumbers, melons, squash and pumpkins. Powdery mildew reduces the photosynthesis and yield of the plants, and can also affect the flavor and quality of the fruits.

There are several organic methods to prevent and treat powdery mildew on vegetables. Some of them are:

A portion of Los Angeles County has been placed under quarantine for the Tau fruit fly (Zeugodacus tau group) following the detection of more than 20 flies in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch, near the city of Santa Clarita.

The fly has a very wide host range, including numerous citrus varieties as well as a select range of native plants in California.

Are you a beginning gardener looking for ways to grow your own vegetables without using harsh chemicals? If so, then you won’t want to miss the upcoming free organic gardening talk on heirloom tomatoes and peppers with TV & Radio Horticulturalist Nick Federoff. This is an excellent opportunity for those just starting out in their gardening journey as it will provide valuable information on how to create a garden that is both healthy and sustainable.

​Question:  My hibiscus looks pretty healthy. But the healthy-looking buds keep drying up and falling off. It's got lots of buds, but no blooms. What am I supposed to do?

NICK: When you have a series of buds that don't open, the first thing I think about is to do a little investigative reporting. I want you to open up the bud, and with the magnifying glass, see what's inside, because it's probably a minute insect called a mite. Sometimes mites will make a little webbing, and with others, they don't. Now that you've identified it as a mite, you're going to have to come in there and spray this thing with a miticide that you would get at your local nursery and garden center. Then fertilize the plant, and you should be just fine.