Exploring Botanical Interests Seed Company Have you ever taken a peek behind the scenes? If you have, you know it reveals so much that you never knew. In the past, I’ve had a look at what goes on in the background in a variety of places including a Kentucky bourbon factory, the Lawry Spice Company, […]
Preparing Your Garden for a Heatwave: 5 Essential Tips Have you ever wondered how your plants fare in the scorching heat of summer? Is your garden equipped to withstand the punishing temperatures that a heatwave can bring, whether you reside in the arid desert Southwest or more temperate regions? In this guide, we’ll explore how […]
“How much water do my plants need?” I am often asked this question by desert dwellers and my answer is always, “That depends.” There are several variables that determine how much water plants need, along with the frequency of watering. Variables include: Type of soil (clay, sand, combination) What kind of plant (native plants, higher […]
I love peaches. Every year, I look forward to May when the peaches on my tree are ripe and ready. While May might seem a little early for peaches, in the low desert garden, this is when they are ready for being harvested. There are several things that I like to make with my peaches. […]
The Joy of Growing Citrus Trees Do you have a citrus trees in your garden? I do. I have two trees – a Meyer lemon and a brand new ‘Trovita’ orange tree. I use the citrus in all kinds of fun ways and the trees have become a family pleasure. Nostalgic Citrus Memories As a child in […]
Do you love roses? I do. For those of you who have been following me for any length of time, you know that my love affair with roses is something that I like to share with others. For that reason, on a lovely day in May, I made a visit to the Old West town, Tombstone, Arizona. […]
Exploring the ‘Red Hot’ Tecoma Shrub R I am always on the lookout for new plants to the desert plant palette. The desert plant palette is ever-evolving, with growers continually striving to introduce new varieties that boast exciting colors, sizes, and desirable characteristics. I was able to visit Civano Nursery Farm, located in Sahuarita, 20 […]
Learning about the natural world and how it works is one of the joys of being a child. I was reminded of this fact the other day with my grandson, Eric. He came over for a visit after preschool and was so excited to show me a science experiment that they had done in class. […]
Spring in the desert ‘Tangerine Beauty’ Crossvine (Bignonia capreolata ‘Tangerine Beauty’) Capturing the Beauty of Spring in the Desert Spring in the desert is the most beautiful time of year with the majority of plants in the landscape bursting out with flowers. It’s also a very busy time for me with landscape consultations, speaking engagements, […]
Tour of My Spring Garden, Firecracker Penstemon (Penstemon eatoni) A Spring Garden Tour: Nature’s Pleasant Surprises Have you ever noticed that spring has a way of surprising you in the garden? This is what I considered as I walked through my front landscape this week. After spending a week visiting my daughter in cold, wintery Michigan, […]
