A Guide to the Best of Southern California : GARDENS : Hit the Dirt!

Browsing through national gardening magazines can be madening: There is so much in them that doesn’t apply to our climate.

Coming to the rescue is the Southern California Gardener, a new bimonthly newsletter co-edited by Lili Singer, best known for her no-nonsense gardening show heard weekly on KCRW-FM. A year’s subscription costs $20.

The heart of the 12-page newsletter is a centerforld planting guide and checklist that suggests what you should be doing in the garden at that particular time of year. Just as important, Singer spells out what you should not be doing ‘don’t get those tomatoes going too soon!).

Also featured are articles on specific plants, pest management, irrigation and tools, plus tours of local public gardens and practical advice on nursery shopping.

Subscription information is available from the Southern California Gardener, 610 20th St., Santa Monica, Calif. 90402.