Yucca? Agave? What’s the difference? Many folks find it hard to tell one big round rosette of sword-like spiny leaves from another big round spiny plant with sword-like leaves. Kissing Kin Yep – it can be hard. They are all related after all. Like palms, yucca and agaves are kin to grasses. They lack true wood. The main thing to know as an owner of […]
Want the perfect tree for your yard? There is simply no way give everyone one single answer to this question. Part of the issue is that you are going to purchase a living being. Like any living being, your tree is going to need the right place to live. When it comes to where a specific tree will thrive – there are some very specific needs. Many Factors […]
May 16 is National Hug a Tree Day! So in honor of this very special day, I am starting this series of articles on how to pick the perfect tree. Perfect Tree for … ? … Factor This: If you want to watch a nursery person cringe, ask them: “What tree should I plant in my yard?” There is simply no way to correctly answer this question without a […]
Spring is a wonderful time of year if you love cactus flowers. Virtually every Southwestern species of cactus is producing flowers now as the days lengthen and ample sunshine heats the air and the soil. The Summer Rains are Coming In much of this region, cacti bloom and produce seed just in time for the summer monsoon rain showers. Showers that will water and nurture the tiny seedling babies. […]
First week of May. Time to get your garden and landscape ready for the summer ahead. Most tasks in May revolve around making sure the water system is working, and fertilizer to encourage just a little healthy growth – but not too much. Irrigation System Tune Up Time Irrigation systems require checking and tune-up on a regular basis. Some tasks should be done once per month, some should be done […]
Want the native butterflies and other pollinators to visit your yard? Think Z for native Zinnia! Native Plants for Native Pollinators People are concerned about the recent decline in native pollinators. This has highlighted the need to grow more native plants in our yards. Great idea! But most gardeners want colorful plants in their yards. Never fear – native zinnia are here! Landscape with Native Zinnias First […]
Spring has sprung and wildlife babies abound. Bunnies, ground squirrels, rock squirrels, gophers, javelina, deer – and for some of you reading this – elk, wild horses, and wild burros can wander by to eat your pretty plants. And some birds, like quail eat plants too. More than One is No Fun While a single bunny is cute, it is upsetting when a heard of them show up and decimate […]
It is warming up – time to grow the Three Sisters. They are an integral part of the summer vegetable garden. A number of tribes were gardening here long before Europeans showed up, and grew what they call the Three Sisters. Last week I posted my Top Ten Tips for Vegetable Gardening Success. I suggest you give that a quick read if you get a chance. The Three Sisters The […]
The warm season vegetable gardening season is starting, and many readers are ‘rarin’ to get growing. Here are my top ten tips for success. Number 1 Tip – Plant What You Eat Plant something that you like to eat or will use, like maybe gourds. Want tomatoes? Tomatoes are the hardest to grow in our hot dry climate – so what’s you next choice? Have you ever had salsa verde […]
This weekend April will begin, so here are some garden tasks you can think about getting out and doing. Check your last frost date before some of these April tasks. Prune Check your last frost date – and if it is past then go ahead and prune frost damage off bougainvillea, lantana, autumn sage, and other summer flowering frost tender perennials. Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs until bloom period is through. […]
