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Local Columns

If the patio can hold it, container plants can thrive

Question: I live in a third-floor condo that faces south. I get about seven hours of direct sun and have containers on my patio with spinach, tomatoes and peppers that are doing well so far. I was wondering if there are any types of fruit trees that produce and thrive in a patio container.

‘Ask a Science Teacher’ is a perfect read for curious kids

Yep, taking things apart is fun, even though it might make your parents or teachers a little crazy. So maybe you need to read “Ask a Science Teacher” by Larry Scheckel instead. That might be somewhat safer.

Graffiti taggers pose freeway risk, cost public millions

What kind of people would shimmy up a metal pole, crawl along a narrow ledge some 40 to 50 feet above steadily moving traffic on a major freeway and risk their lives just to pull spray cans from their pockets and deface two of those large, green traffic signs, with the ultimate purpose of creating havoc for drivers?

Time to beat the crowds to Carlsbad

Carlsbad, Calif., is a destination in itself, especially for those who love the ocean, yet the surrounding area also offers a wealth of other outdoor activities. Even if you stay several days, you can do something different every day, making this a great place for a well-rounded getaway.

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Options limited for verticillium-resistant trees in desert

Question: We have a 20-year-old olive tree in our front yard diagnosed with verticillium wilt disease. The north third of the tree appears to be healthy. If we remove this tree, what distance from the old hole is needed for the new tree? We would like a replacement tree to provide shade. We are looking at oak, pine, ash, spruce or fir.

Avila Beach a funky, oil-free getaway

Always write to the most common denominator. General interest, appeal to the masses. That’s what I was told when I started this writing gig.

Grapes can be gently pruned through summer

Question: After the grapes set their fruit in the next couple of weeks, can the vine be trimmed, or does it need to grow to provide shade and nutrition to the grapes?

Fertilizer should be applied before spring growth

Q: Last week we planted several fruit trees and have established trees as well. Would you recommend applying fertilizer around these trees now? Spikes or granular type of fertilizer?

‘Pure Grit’ shares tale of nurses captured in World War II

Taken to Camp O’Donnell in the Philippines, nurses saved as many American lives as they could with the scant resources they had — despite that the nurses themselves suffered terribly from disease and starvation in the POW camps.

Downtown moviemaking could help spur 51s journey to Summerlin

In case you hadn’t noticed, Senate Bill 165, sponsored in the last legislative session by Democratic Sen. Aaron Ford, was approved, offering tax credits to the film industry. So what does this mean for Summerlin? It could mean more than a whole lot.

Native Indian rock art adorns canyon

Grapevine Canyon, located toward the southern end of Lake Mead National Recreation Area, is said to be among the best of all places to see the intriguing Native American rock art called petroglyphs. It’s certainly one of the easiest to visit. It’s especially good if you want to take small children or other folks who can’t hike long distances, as the best petroglyph panels are at the mouth of the canyon only about a quarter-mile from the parking area.

Bay laurel a bad choice of trees

Question: On the north side of our house, we have a 10-foot-wide space we are trying to landscape. Several have suggested planting bay laurel trees, but we are concerned about the tree’s size for the space. When we went to the nursery, their suggestion was the Majestic Beauty hawthorn tree. Will the hawthorn tree do well in our climate and soils?

Leave room on the kids’ bookshelf for ‘One Room Schools’

Imagine wading to school in snow that’s waist-high and having to build a fire when you got there. Imagine going outside to go to the bathroom, no matter what the weather. And then read “One Room Schools” by Susan Apps-Bodilly.

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