By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

Pat Welsh is the real deal.  She's a hands-on gardener with decades of experience under her belt, a thorough researcher, and a born educator, which together makes a terrific combination.  Her previous book, Pat Welsh's Southern California Gardening: A Month-by-Month Guide, sits on my bookshelf right next to my Sunset Western Garden Book.  And I thumb through it often to confirm the timing of planting advice I'm about to give Southern California gardeners.  Or to remind myself of important garden chores when I'm doing my monthly checklist.  Because I really trust this gal.

But I'm going to give up my beloved old book for this new revised edition.

As its title suggests, Pat's new revision places a greater emphasis on organic gardening.  Rose care pest and disease control based on dormant sprays, beneficial insect releases, and mulching with earthworm castings insead of reliance on fungicides and pesticides, for instance.  It also places more emphasis on conserving water, reducing runoff, protecting our landscapes from fire, and other urgent concerns.  If you don't find this new edition at your bookstore, you can order directly from the publisher, Chronicle Books.

Five things you would know right now if you already owned this book:

. What to use instead of sphagnum moss (which is being harvested faster than it can regrow) to line ornamental garden baskets or succulent living wreaths.

.  How to make that succulent living wreath.

.  How to transition your gift amaryllis to the garden successfully

.  What to feed your fairy primroses if they refuse to bloom.

.  Why a long-handled scoop makes measuring liquid fertilizer easier and how to make one.

(And, no, I'm not telling.  Buy the book.)