Rain Lilies Bloom in Summer – Even Without Rain

Rain lilies are charming summer blooming bulbs that will flourish in much of the Southwest – into the USDA Zone 8 and some into zone 7. Rain Lilies are Zephyranthes I said “rain lilies” in the title because I didn’t want to daunt you with the scientific name, Zephyranthes. But if gardeners wrote alphabet books, Z would be for Zephyranthes! Rain Lily Common Names With close to 200 species and … Read more

March Garden Tasks

March can be a busy month in the garden. Here are some of the things to get done this month. Weather Repeats Itself Just like hsitory.  You my hear people complain about this “odd” winter we are having in the Southwest – but they haven’t been here long enough. Cold, windy, dry at first, and then late rains. This all happens every 50 years or so. Last time was 1968, … Read more

December 2022 Gardening Tasks

When it comes to Garden Tasks, December is a slow month. That’s a good thing because it’s the holiday season and there are plenty of other tasks to do. December Overview It is too late (or too early) to prune anything. This year the weeds are not too rambunctious, and cool temperatures mean slow growth. Slow growth does not mean no growth. Roots continue to grow, so be sure to … Read more

Plant Bulbs in Fall – for Spring Delight

Bulbs produce some of the most beautiful flowers in the garden palate. They can provide brilliant splashes of cheerful color in the winter and spring months. In the Southwest bulbs can be grown in the landscape, in containers on the patio, or indoors. Bulbs Time their Growth Many desert plants appear in a very specific season – like just after a rain in the coldest soils, or in late spring … Read more