I received the following email from Doug Brooks, who gardens in Claremont. “For years, I have used some type of yearly insect control product to help protect my fruit trees. The last few years I have ...

Q:I've heard that applying worm castings to the soil is an effective treatment for thrips on rhododendrons. Do you agree? If so, how thick should the layer be and is there an ideal season for it?

Q: I thought I would share my success using worm castings for insect control. I live in the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California and for years was plagued with whiteflies in my garden. They ...