Q: I would like to try my hand at growing a mango tree. Can I just use a seed from a mango that I bought from the supermarket? What do they need to grow?
Depending on where you are located, mangos can be grown in Southern California. They do not tolerate frost or cold weather, so you need to live in a frost-free area.
There are two types of mangos: Indian and Philippine/Southeast Asia. Indian-type mangos require a dry climate since they will suffer from mildew, anthracnose, or other fungal diseases. They also will not tolerate fog (since that’s actually humidity too). For this reason, the Indian mangos will not do well in coastal areas that are subject to fog. Philippine/Southeast Asia mangos really like humidity. Most mangos that you see in the grocery stores are Philippine types that are grown in Mexico.
Starting a mango tree from seed is an iffy proposition. Many commercially grown mangos have been treated or exposed to refrigeration, both which greatly decrease the likelihood of germination. If you can acquire a fruit from a local grower, you may have more success. Once the flesh has been trimmed away, remove the fibrous outer husk and plant the seed directly in the soil with the “hump” at soil level. If you’re lucky, the seed will germinate in a couple of weeks.
For more information on growing mango trees, see crfg.org.
Q: I think my irrigation system needs an overhaul. I am getting dry spots in my lawn, and the sprinklers are not working well in my border areas since the plants have grown tall enough to block the spray.
Depending on your original system, you may be able to get away with some simple modifications. Be aware, however, that I’ve seen some badly designed irrigation systems that were “professionally” installed by builders.
If your lawn area is supposed to have sprinkler coverage, you may just have to do a little maintenance to the existing system. Check each head for any kind of blockage. Thatch may have grown over some of the pop-ups, blocking them from completely emerging. This can be remedied by simply cutting thatch away from the heads. If you have older heads that spray a fine mist, you should replace them with rotator heads. These newer-type of sprinkler heads spray “fingers” of water in a rotating pattern, thus eliminating most of the evaporation (water waste) that occurs with the older heads.
Sprinklers on fixed risers can be retrofitted for drip, which should work more efficiently around shrubbery and border plantings. Check your local garden center for retrofit kits specially designed for this purpose.
Los Angeles County
mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu; 626-586-1988; http://celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/
Orange County
ucceocmghotline@ucanr.edu; http://mgorange.ucanr.edu/
Riverside County
anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu; 951-955-0170; https://ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/
San Bernardino County
mgsanbern@ucanr.edu; 909-387-2182; http://mgsb.ucanr.edu