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
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
Cover image – Viola, also called heartease – for February, National Heart Month. There is not very much maintenance or tasks the must be done in the Southwest garden in February, just enjoy the season and any flowers you have. Tidy up some things – especially in Low or Middle Desert. Upper Elevations – you get to chill (pardon the pun). Speaking of Flowers I will be speaking of flowers! … Read more
Every August in the garden is different from the year before – but there are some general good guidelines to follow. We look at them today. The Rains Have Started – Maybe The Southwest summer rains are fickle – and have always been so. One August day in my childhood we stood in the sunshine in our front yard and watched the rain pouring off the neighbors roof across the … Read more
