Spending an evening by a cheerful fire under the starry skies is one on the undeniable pleasures of summer. Yes we have had record breaking heat – but even a warm evening is more lovely with a dancing fire to sit around and enjoy the company of friends. Not to mention if you plan for it and install one now – you can enjoy your fire pit all through the … Read more
Hard to believe it – but it is mid-July now and soon it will be time to plant fruit trees. Back East, gardeners use the winter cold to dream and plan their planting just waiting for once it warms up. Here, in the heat of a Southwestern summer, we dream about what we will plant when it cools off. Indeed the cooler weather of fall is perfect for planting as … Read more
The Southwest is a place of great natural drama and beauty – rocks and boulders are not hidden beneath layers of forest mulch or yards of prairie soil. They are right out there in the land – delighting the eye with their natural beauty. Work With The Drama of the Southwest In the Southwest we can see our large, dramatic mountains springing virtually straight up out of the surrounding land. … Read more
The tea industry has declared June “National Iced Tea Month.” If you are trying to live more lightly on this earth and not spend massive amounts of carbon dioxide emitting fossil fuels importing tea made from the Asian tea plant (Camelia sinensis), consider these tasty caffine-free “herbal” teas you can grow in your own yard and enjoy anytime. Tea does not need to come from Asia! January was National Hot … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
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 … Read more
Scent is one of our most basic senses, yet fragrant plants are often neglected when planning a landscape. The Nose Knows! I cherish my desert garden for all the wonderfully scented plants in it. Often I run my fingers along branches or leaves to release heady fragrance. Also, I grew up here and love the smell of the desert after the rain. Most scents defy words. I certainly do try … Read more
At first, “edible landscaping” may sound odd, but think of citrus trees. Lovely, evergreen trees, with striking glossy green foliage. The bonus is the delicious and nutritious fruit for your consumption. This is one form of edible landscaping. Then there is full tilt edible landscaping. Botanist mentor and friend Richard Felger (of blessed memory) planted a vegetable garden in his front yard back in the 1980’s. He lived in a … Read more
