So many seeds, so little time! Also, so little space. And, so little money for special soils and the like. Here in the Southwest we are also limited by just what plants can possibly take our ultra low humidity, blasting sunlight, constant winds, and voracious wildlife. Water is always an […]
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 […]
Basil is easy to grow for some folks – yet hard for others. The root of the problem is that much gardening knowledge is centered on 1- the past and 2 – growing in the eastern part of the USA, or in central Europe. We have all seen in recent […]
Lemongrass is a lovely genus of grasses that can be easily grown in much of the Southwest – and into the Southeast as well. It will live outdoors year round in areas that don’t get much below 26F in winter (USDA Zones 8 to 12). Lemongrass Genus Lemongrass, also written […]
Time to plant some beans in many parts of the Southwest. Even if you have no interest in a “vegetable garden,” you should still consider planting some beans, and here are my seven reasons. (Note that I said time is now for much of the Southwest. In climates cooler than […]
The sage we use in cooking is Salvia officinalis. You can grow some of this decorative herb in your yard as part of your multi-purpose landscape. After all – if you have to plant it, water it, and care for it, why not have something you can cook with too?! […]
Oregano is a wonderful herb, that is easy to grow in the dry air of the Southwest. The herb itself has many uses: culinary, medicinal, ornamental, in dying, and a just a flat out aesthetic plant in the garden. Oregano is One of My “Herculean Herbs” From the arid mountains […]
Poppies sure pop out in spring! Depending on where you live in the Southwest there can be spectacular displays of blooms! Want some of this beauty in your yard? The time to start is months before the flowers appear. Basically you have to plant in fall for spring display. I […]
First day of spring is time to plant your basil here in the Southwest. Well, most of the Southwest. Those of you in the mountains will have to start yours indoors. Cover image is a selection of three different varieties, courtesy Renee’s Garden Seeds. Basil is Not Native – but […]
Grow calendula for a bright and shining and long-lasting pretty flower in the cooler months of winter in the desert Southwest. Calendula – The Plant Calendula (Calendula officinalis) was once an important herb found in every herbal garden. Now calendula commonly grown for its pretty blooms. It still has a […]
