Predicting 'when to do what' in gardens is tricky

Hello valley gardeners! I find it difficult to project what is best to do for your gardens lately. My observation is that each year weather conditions and timing are not typical as we have known in the past.

Many exhibitors in rose shows tell me that their formerly “tried and true” methods of predicting when to do what aren't working so well for them these days. For example, attempting to schedule rose shows by past weather patterns a year ahead is more luck than science. Yet the San Diego Rose Society certainly lucked out this year as they had a large show.

The abundant rain this past winter...