Soggy Gardens

Months of rain have turned Valley lawns an unprecedented green but are frustrating area gardeners. “The homeowner doesn’t want to get out in the yard because of the cold and the rain,” said Randy Mineo, owner of Chatsworth Nursery Center. Retail sales are down slightly, but his landscaping business is booming.

Cactus Flowers

David Bernstein was surprised how well the 100,000-plus succulents at his Reseda “cactus ranch” have weathered the rain. Only a few sensitive varieties were damaged. “There’s no better way to oxygenate water than to drop it from five miles high,” he said, explaining why rain is superior to water from the hose. A bonus: Many of the plants are in bloom.

Garden Guru

Van Nuys-based garden guru Lili Singer assures that, despite the deluge, Valley gardens can be saved. Most important: “Don’t walk on wet dirt and don’t dig it.” After rain, she also recommends gently tapping cup-shaped flowers so standing water won’t lead to rot. In the long run, the recent rains will be good for your garden. “They leach all of the garbage out of the soil,” she said.