Barrel cactus is a plant that is easy to grow and take care of, and offers a rich edible fruit with no prickers or spines on the fruit. Yes prickly pear is sweet and tasty, but let’s look at a plant never needs pruning, and a plant that you can […]
I was all set for this article to be about Veterans Day poppies. Then I discovered that, in America at least, they are generally considered Memorial Day poppies, sold to aid veterans. But I decided to post this anyway – because right now is the time to plant the […]
C is for Castor! Castor for Color. Castor because the Critters don’t eat it! Colorful Castor is a large, showy plant for warm season color anywhere in the Southwest. Thus “Si!” is for castor as well! What is Castor? Castor (Ricinus communis) comes to us from eastern Africa […]
“Say “cilantro” here in the Southwest, and most folks think of salsa. And while cilantro can get along with the heat of chilies in salsa, it quickly dies with the heat of a hot Southwestern summer day.” I said this in an article over a decade ago, and it […]
The warm season vegetable gardening season is starting, and many readers are ‘rarin’ to get growing. Here are my top ten tips for success. Number 1 Tip – Plant What You Eat Plant something that you like to eat – or will use, like maybe gourds. Want tomatoes? Tomatoes are […]
Starting seeds indoors is relatively easy, and it’s (past) time to start thinking about your spring planting in the Southwest. This article also works for planting your winter garden – only in reverse. “Hardening off” will mean getting them used to outdoor heat instead of outdoor cold. Starting Out With […]
Vegetables can be easy to grow – especially now that the cooler season is upon us. So maybe call this Cool Season Vegetable Gardening – Tips & Tricks. Yes, it is time now for a cool season vegetable garden in the Southwest. Or maybe less than a garden. Maybe just […]
Wildflowers in the Southwest spring. Who doesn’t want some?! Why Plant Wildflowers in Fall? Yes plant them Autumn! Spring wildflowers bloom in the Sonoran and Mojave Deserts in response to the winter rains off the Pacific Ocean. Thus you have to get the wildflower seed into the soil now, because […]
