Gardening - Los Angeles Times

_ For dedicated gardeners, here are suggestions from the California Assn. of Nurserymen:_ * To keep weeds in check during the winter rains and give a neat appearance to your flower beds,

weed now and apply a layer of mulch. * If you have hard-packed soil, including clay, be sure to apply gypsum or other additives to the yard in order to break the barriers to water

penetration. * Did you spray your peaches and nectarines to prevent peach leaf curl yet? If not, do so immediately and then follow it up with another spraying before the buds swell. * Leave

your poinsettias in the pot after the blossoms have gone and put them outside in a protected area, watering them occasionally. Plant them in the ground only after all chance of frost is

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