Do you use any lotion that contains aloe vera? While most of us think of the medicinal qualities of aloe vera - particularly how they provide relief from burns, its beauty, and drought tolerance make it well worth adding to our "Drought…

Where do your plants get their water from?   If you are like most people who live in the desert Southwest, your answer may be drip irrigation, a rain barrel and/or rainfall.   But, what if you didn't have drip irrigation or…

Where did you learn about gardening?  I have shared about learning to garden as a young child when my dad gave me my own little plot of land and let me plant whatever I wanted. Later, I learned more about gardening in school.  It…

Have you ever had your day take a completely different turn than you anticipated?  Mine certainly did, and it all started with a discovery behind the lilac vine. My day was off to a great start.  I didn't have any appointments…

What do you have growing in your vegetable garden? I have three separate gardens where I grow vegetables, but they aren't the only thing that is growing in the rich, moist soil. Red Poppies There are also red poppies present…

Do you like butterflies? It's hard to find anyone who doesn't.  The sight of a butterfly makes us pause whatever we were doing and take a few moments to observe their fragile beauty. Kids are even more entranced by butterflies.…

Have you ever found yourself driving through a neighborhood past landscapes planted with the commonly planted lantana and oleander shrubs when you see something completely different that catches your attention? A few weeks ago, I was leaving…

Does the idea of attracting hummingbirds to your outdoor space appeal to you? It's hard to find anyone who wouldn't welcome these colorful visitors. The best way to attract hummingbirds is to have a garden filled with their…

Do you visit your local botanical garden? I try to make it to my local garden at least 2 - 3 times a year, which just happens to be the world-renown, Desert Botanical Garden. Last week, I visited twice - once for their spring  plant…