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Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst 

Farmer Fred

Picking up where the Garden Basics podcast left off. 

gardenbasics.substack.com

Beyond the Garden Basics Podcast

Garden book author and citrus expert Lance Walheim, is a big proponent of growing citrus trees in containers. We discuss his techniques in today’s podcast, along with shameless plugs for his new book, “Citrus: A Gardeners’ & Fruit Lovers’ Guide.”

For those of you in a hurry, here are some of the important points we touch on in the podcast:

Choose compact citrus varieties for containers — Meyer lemon, kumquat, calamondin, and Bearss limes are ideal; avoid vigorous types like Lisbon lemon or grapefruit, which will quickly outgrow most pots.

Upgrade container size gradually When repotting, go up only one size at a time (e.g., sleeve → 10-gallon → 15-gallon → half barrel). Transplanting immediately from the nursery pot to an oversized container can hold excess moisture around the roots and can cause rot.

Prioritize drainage above everything else Check that your container has multiple drain holes (at least 4–5 for a half barrel, ½-inch diameter or larger), and drill additional side holes if needed.

Raise your container off the ground Set pots on bricks, boards, or a furniture dolly to keep drain holes clear, prevent roots escaping into the native soil, and allow the bottom of the pot to dry properly. If setting pots in catch dishes, don’t let them hold standing water.

Use quality commercial potting mix, not backyard soil Garden soil may compact easily, drain poorly, and can introduce pathogens. Consider amending potting mix with perlite, builder’s sand, or pumice for improved aeration, keeping in mind this will cause it to dry out faster.

Avoid dark-colored pots in hot climates Black plastic containers in full sun can heat soil to 120–130°F on warm days, killing roots. Use fabric pots, light-colored containers, or nest a dark pot inside a larger one filled with mulch for insulation. Surrounding the citrus pot with other pots can help keep the citrus roots cooler.

Fertilize consistently and at a diluted strength Use a liquid or water-soluble citrus fertilizer every two to four weeks. Make sure it contains not just nitrogen but also phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese.

Leach the soil every one to two months Run water slowly through the entire pot multiple times to flush out salt buildup. A white mineral ring around the pot is a sign salts have accumulated.

Use a moisture meter to check watering needs Finger-testing the surface is unreliable in root-bound pots; a moisture meter tells you conditions 12 inches down where it matters.

Mulch the top of the container A thin layer of bark chips or compost slows moisture loss and protects surface roots. Keep mulch away from the trunk.

Transition plants indoors and outdoors gradually Over one to two weeks, move the pot into progressively shadier spots before bringing it inside, and reverse the process in spring. Expect some leaf drop indoors; a bloom cycle usually follows.

Treat for pests before moving indoors Apply Neem oil or Spinosad before bringing the tree inside to prevent scale or whiteflies from establishing. Avoid applying oil when temperatures are above 85–90°F.

Prune to maintain size and airflow Keep the tree’s center open for air circulation, remove crossing branches, and cut back vigorous shoots. Do major work (including root pruning, if necessary) in winter, the least stressful time.

Look for Flying Dragon rootstock if you want a true dwarf This trifoliate orange rootstock keeps trees to 5–6 feet and is well-suited to long-term container growing, though it can be hard to find.

Buy only from reputable nurseries Asian citrus psyllid and HLB disease have spread to all major citrus states. Purchasing certified trees (rather than propagating cuttings from friends) is the safest way to avoid bringing home an infestation.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

A Deep Dive Into Citrus Containers

The Beyond the Garden Basics newsletter and podcast has been around awhile, with over 450 editions since August of 2022. That’s a lot of gardening info!

Checking out nearly four years of newsletters and podcasts to learn more about gardening can be a daunting task. So, to help ease the process a bit, here are the seven most clicked-on (and time spent with) editions.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

Your 7 Favorite Beyond the Garden Basics Newsletter Editions

The No-Turn, Easy Compost Pile

Is there a better-looking, longer lasting, cut flower than the alstroemeria? Is there a more invasive, underground spreading plant than the alstroemeria?

Sometimes, to get to heaven, you have to go through a little hell.

Also known as the Peruvian Lily, Lily of the Incas, Parrot Lily, Princess Lily, and “How the Heck Did You Get Over to the Other Side of the Garden?”, alstroemerias can easily last two weeks as a cut flower. Longer, if you are conscientious about clean water and floral preservatives (more on that below).

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

Is This the Longest Lasting Cut Flower? Perhaps. But, Beware.

All About Basil

Growing Sweet Potatoes

If we sound excited, we are! It’s getting close to tomato planting time! In this week’s podcast and newsletter, Don Shor of Redwood Barn Nursery in Davis, CA and I discuss this year’s unusual weather, emphasizing the importance of proper soil temperature and patience when planting. Don shares insights on different tomato varieties, explaining determinate, indeterminate, and heirloom types, alongside effective watering and mulching techniques for possible drought conditions. We offer tips for new gardeners, encouraging variety and restraint in their tomato-growing journey.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

The 2026 Tomato Preview Show!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit gardenbasics.substack.com

Farmer Fred interviews horticulturist and commercial citrus grower Lance Walheim about the history and cultivation of citrus fruits, covering varieties, growing tips, pest challenges, and the joys of homegrown citrus.

Growing Citrus Trees in a Non-Citrus Environment

If you’re looking for a superfood to grow, it’s hard to beat blackberries. They can be grown in just about every state in the United States. They’re highly adaptable, and they thrive in USDA zones from 4 all the way up through 10. Here in California, in USDA zone 9, they do quite well. They grow nearly anywhere that has enough sun.

Today, we talk with Master Gardener and berry expert Jeff Smoker, who has tips for growing blackberries.

Blackberries are considered a superfood.

According to North Carolina State University, a superfood is so-called because it has a high ratio of nutrients to calories, and that is a perfect description of a blackberry.

According to North Carolina State University, blackberries are low in fat and sodium. They make a very heart-healthy snack. They’re loaded with fiber, 7.6 grams per 100 per cup. Only 62 calories per cup. Carbohydrates, 13 or 14 grams. Less than 7 grams of sugar. Less than 1 gram of fat. And they even has 2 grams of protein. Plus, they are loaded with vitamin C, manganese, vitamin K, vitamin E, potassium. They’re high in antioxidants, which reduce free radicals, combat oxidative stress, and may protect against cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline.

 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

Tips For Growing Blackberries

We talk about water safety and rain barrels with Sacramento County Master Gardener and vegetable expert Gail Pothour who swears up and down on her stack of Ruth Stout gardening books that she would NEVER drink water from a rain barrel…nor would she water her edible plants with it.

What’s a gardener to do? 
 

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gardenbasics.substack.com/subscribe

Is This the Longest Lasting Cut Flower? Perhaps. But, Beware.

Lyt når som helst, hvor som helst

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