Plants in containers often suffer at this time of year. Water them frequently. (A drip system can save time plus all the water that's wasted when you go from plant to plant with a hose.) In very hot weather, containers often dry out almost as soon as they're watered. It's not only the heat; dry air literally pulls moisture out of the soil right through the sides of terra-cotta pots.

Terra-cotta containers add charm to gardens and patios, but unfortunately for aesthetics most plants actually grow better in plastic. The idea that plants are helped by a pot that "breathes" is a mistaken one. The soil mix itself should breathe. It should be light and airy, which can be accomplished by adding perlite or sponge rock. In containers that breathe, roots follow the water as it escapes through the sides of the pot. They form a solid mat that clings to the inside of the pot, drying out daily and causing the plant to wilt. When plants are grown in plastic, roots tend to form more evenly throughout the mix. Eventually they congregate at the bottom and along the sides, but by then it's time to re-pot the plant to the next size.

Before planting in porous containers, seal the insides with a double coat of black waterproofing tar to help prevent moisture from escaping. Alternatively, try double-potting. Just put the plastic pot inside one of the more attractive pots. (If you want to dress things up a little more you can hide the grow pot and soil by putting a layer of dried Spanish moss or bark chips on top of the soil at the base of the plant).

Anyone Can Have a Garden; Anyone Can Be a Gardener

What's an annual, a perennial, a biennial? What about pH? Soil structure, deciduous vs. evergreen, how do I prune, why do I prune?

With the stressful lives we lead, sharing the joys of gardening has become even more important to us. Whether planting a tree as a memorial or just relieving daily stresses by getting in touch with nature - a little dirt under the fingernails can be very healing.

There's always something new to learn and share (comments, requests, and garden ideas are welcome)!

So you want to have a garden? The most basic beginning should be to understand how plants grow; we will go into more detail with each category in future articles. For now the basics to remember are that plants need:
Proper light - sun or shade
Food - is supplementing fertilizer necessary?
Water - how much depends on your soil and the plant type

Plant selection is important. Try to find out the name of the flower or plant that you like - or look for it in your local nursery. Once you know the name of a plant, you can find out just about anything about it that you need to know. Pay attention to the three needs above and you'll be well on your way to a successful garden.

So try planting something - get started! Try something a close neighbor is growing that you like - it will be likely to do well in your yard, too. Those of you who claim to have a "black thumb" - how do you know it won't grow, if you don't plant it?

Getting to Know Garden Terms:

Annual: a plant that completes its life cycle in one season (one year or less) - it grows, blooms, makes seeds, then dies. (ex: Marigold)

Perennial: a non-woody plant that grows for more than 2 years. (ex: Shasta daisy, Agapanthus)

Biennial: a plant that completes its life cycle in 2 years. It grows the first year, goes dormant in winter, and then blooms the next year. (ex: Foxglove)

pH: a measure of the acidity and alkalinity of the soil using a scale from 1 to 14, where 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acid and greater than 7 is alkaline. Distilled water is neutral (with a pH of 7), lemon juice is very acid (with a pH of 2.6) and baking soda is very alkaline (with a pH of 8.5).

There's no sure way to protect your home from a raging fire, but there are some things you can do to minimize the risk. If you live next to native brush or chapparal - near a canyon, for example - take these steps to protect your property.

• Keep the landscape close to your home well-watered. Don't grow flammable plants such as pine trees close to your home or allow them to overhang your roof. (Shrubs and trees with lush green leaves, like pittosporum, are recommended for green belts.)

• Don't mound shrubbery close to your house. Shrubs should be spaced apart from each other and kept low. For safety from fire when houses are close together, it's best to have no shrubbery between them.

• Create a buffer zone. A well-watered green area of low-growing plants can act as a firebreak between you and the chapparal. The buffer zone should be at least 30 feet wide on flat ground and progressively wider as slopes get steeper. Walls, rocks, patios, rustic seats, and wandering paths can be part of the landscaping. Use plant materials that have proven their ability to withstand some fires, such as succulents and cacti. Coarse carpobrotus iceplant is not recommended, but rosea iceplant is. (Ask your local UC Cooperative Extension Office or the California Department of Forestry for additional information and plant lists.)

• Manage the existing brush. Go right down into the chapparal and remove the fuel load from inside. (Be on the lookout for poison oak, rattlesnakes, and sudden drop-offs in the terrain.) The buildup of dead leaves, twigs, branches and weeds in the understory is what makes the hottest fires. You may have to use a chain saw. (Keep a fire extinguisher and a shovel close at hand in case of sparks.) Cut out and haul away or chip and compost all of the dead stuff that builds up inside native shrubs. Leave all the green growth on the outside. When you're finished you'll have a wonderland of usable space for birds and other wildlife that inhabit our precious chaparral.

Eric was born in Redwood City and moved to San Jose when he was 10 so his mom and dad could start the nursery.

He always had a love for music from an early age and was bitten with the rock 'n' roll bug right out of high school. He played in numerous night clubs during an 8-year career as a keyboard player in all-original hard rock "hair" bands and had a song produced by 70's guitarist Ronnie Montrose.

He met the love of his life, Lolli, 20 years ago and has been happily married to her for 18 years. They share an active lifestyle of hiking, whitewater rafting, skiing, scuba diving, traveling, shell collecting, wave running, and going to the movies.

Actively involved in volunteer work in the nursery industry, Eric has been involved in a number of landscape projects at the San Francisco Zoo, where he has been able to combine his knowledge of plants with his passion for wild animals.

He is a published writer in nursery industry magazines and is a guest seminar speaker at various events across the country. Eric is very involved in student and global ministries at his local church and works with Mission's Partners around the globe. He has participated on teams to El Salvador, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia, and most recently was in Northern India.

My Celebrity Service staff and I look forward to serving you this year. We'll go out of our way to make your day!

Eric Wilder - President