In the Southwest, one of the most critical things we can do to help our plants thrive is to create good soil for them to grow in. I call this “Goldilocks” soil. It has to be not to hard, and not too soft – it has to be just right. […]
Do insects “bug” you? Some insects do indeed bother me (mosquitoes for example), but by and large, I am very thankful for their existence on this earth. Let me share why most bugs are good bugs, and we will also look at your top 6 insect friends. Interjection from the […]
Planting many types of plants is better in autumn, to give the plant a chance to slowly get used to it’s new space – but spring is good for planting too. Now – before it heats up too much. Want a shade tree? It is not too late to plant […]
A plant nursery or independent garden center is more than just a place to purchase plants. It’s a place to go and see possibilities. It’s a place to go and dream dreams. It’s a place to go and learn new things. Nursery or Garden Center Those smaller places. Not the […]
Roses need some attention every year for the best flower display and healthy growth. I am posting this in mid January because this is the time for most Southwest gardeners to do some of that care. Let me start by saying that you shouldn’t feel guilty or apologetic about growing […]
I actually have about a million garden tips! Tips and tricks and way to help you succeed is what I do. It’s what this website, and my YouTube channel, and my Facebook group are all about! Trying to boil all my tips into a “top ten?” Not as easy as […]
Folks seem to think that Latin-based scientific names are hard to learn and unpronounceable. If you take it one step at a time – they can be easy! A few centuries ago, Europeans started exploring this globe, and it became a much smaller place. One thing that happened was all […]
cover image (above): Desert tolerant summer blooming queens’ wreath vine (Antigonon leptopus) on an arbor. A good plant for honey in summer. Vines are fun to grow. Since they need very little root space to flourish, they will have ample room to grow, no matter if your yard is […]
I have an article on this site about palm care – and it has three simple tips in it. One of the tips is to avoid pruning entirely. If you feel you must prune, prune at the correct time of year – which is NOT in spring. If you must […]
Now, as summer starts winding down, is generally a good time to fertilize the plants around your home. Generally. This year, I am urging folks in the Low and Middle Deserts to wait. Wait to fertilize until after Fall Equinox. Fertilizer in autumn will help plants put on some healthy […]
