KANGAROO PAWS SUNSET CLIMATE zones 15-17: Mix the velvety orange, pink, red, or yellow flowers with succulents in a container, or plant the showy bloomers en masse against a wall.
TomatoesSUNFLOWERS Try 'Coconut Ice' (above), a new creamy white variety from Burpee (burpee.com or 800/888-1447). Or plant an heirloom favorite such as 'Mammoth Organic' that sets edible seeds. Sow seeds directly in the ground after your last frost.CHOOSE PLANTS AND LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR ZONE: sunset.com/plantfinderSEE NATIVE GARDENS Join the free, self-guided Bringing Back the Natives tour of East Bay landscapes on May 1. Find info at bringingback thenatives.netStrip aphids off affected plants by hand, blast them with a hose, or spray with insecticidal soapSHOP FOR ROSES Healdsburg's Russian River Rose Company specializes in the kinds that thrive in Northern California. Tour the garden to compare 650 varieties, many of which are for sale, and see the website for info about perfume tours. Through May 29; free garden tours Sat--Sun; perfume tours from $10 Thu--Sun; russian-river-rose.com or 707/433-7455.Enrich the soil To thrive, summer crops including corn, squash, and tomatoes need nutrient-rich soil. Before you plant, till a 4- to 6-inch layer of compost into beds.Buy compact seedlings and plant after the last frost, in a spot that gets at least eight hours of sun each day. Justin Wangler, executive chef at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Center, recommends these varieties: ''Big White Pink Stripe' and 'Cherokee Purple' for BLTs, 'Black Cherry' and 'Yellow Plum for salads, and 'San Marzano' (shown) for sauce.Beans in a pot Make a tipi of three or four 8-foot stakes tied together at the top, and set it in a container at least 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep. Plant four pole beans (they yield more than bush varieties) around each stake, and thin to the two strongest seedlings.
Strip aphids off affected plants by hand, blast them with a hose, or spray with insecticidal soap
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