August looms. And weather is the “hot” topic right now. But really – weather and climate do change. Just a few thousand years ago what is now the desert Southwest was a cool plains area with giant woolly mammoths roaming. There were people roaming as well – and hunting those now extinct behemoths with spears. So yes, the world weather fluctuates and the climate changes over time even without humans … Read more
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. … Read more
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
It’s November and that means weather is cooling off. You will need to keep an eye out for frost – depending on your region of the Southwest. Might have already happened for you. Push Your Zone In Carson City, Nevada they already have some snow. But in other areas of the Southwest, I encourage you to live (a little) dangerously. In Middle and Low Desert go ahead and keep planting … Read more
July is National “Smart Irrigation Month,” so let’s start with some discussion about watering your landscape and garden. July Watering All plants need more water as temperatures rise. Water is critical in the desert, but don’t let your plants become “drip sip” junkies. Instead of a “sip” or a little bit of water every single day, water less often but for longer time, so the water sinks in two or … Read more
