I love living in the desert Southwest.I really do, except in August.  That's when I start to tire of the long, hot summer and yearn for fall. By September, the days begin to shorten and the weather begins to cool and I plant my cool-season…

Every year, I always look forward to Christmas.  It begins in late October when I start shopping for the perfect gift for those on my list. I am blessed to have my entire family living within 20 minutes from me (with the exception of…

Do you celebrate Christmas with a natural tree?  If so, what do you do with it once the holidays are over? If you are like many people, your beautifully decorated tree eventually ends up at the curb waiting for trash pickup. But,…

Each region has their own way of celebrating Christmas.  Of course Christmas lights seem just about universal and they are one of my favorite parts of decorating for Christmas. Some of you may feel that it is not Christmas without snow,…

Whenever I am not writing, you'll often find me out in the field helping others learn how to grow and maintain their landscapes. Usually most landscape consultations are fairly routine.  However, I sometimes see something truly unique. Earlier…

One of the benefits of growing vegetables in zone 9 is that we are able to grow vegetables all year long.   However, despite our relatively mild winters, warm-season vegetables such as  peppers and tomatoes can't handle temperatures…

Most of us are familiar with teak wood and its beauty.  Often, you can find it in a garden setting being in the form of benches, which weather the sun and rain with no problem. Teak wood is extremely durable and unlike many types of…

Have you ever looked back at your calendar and wondered at how you ever got everything done while still remaining somewhat sane? I have... Oh, I knew ahead of time that it would take a small miracle to get through the 30 days, starting…

*This blog post contains affiliate link for a product that helps get rid of caterpillars. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.* Fall…