Gather Flower Seeds, Red globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) Did you know that some flowering desert perennials can be grown easily from seed? Many of the plants in my garden are volunteers that grew from seed from established plants. I…

I am always on the lookout for unique landscape design, seeing how others create beauty in the garden so that I can help inspire you with your outdoor spaces. So, here are some design notes from the field that I found that I hope you will find…

Budget Gardening For those of us who love succulents, there is a price to pay. These water-wise plants often cost a lot of money. If you have a bottomless wallet, that may not be a problem, but for those of us who live on a budget…

Backyard desert landscape with low-water plants. Did you know that what you plant today has short-term and long-term benefits? It's true. As water resources become even more precious, planting wisely is more important than ever. You will…

I love winters in the desert. It's a time when activity in the garden slows down and we can sit back and ponder what plans (if any) we have for this new year. As I sit in my office looking outdoors at my winter garden, I see birds visiting…

I love to grow vegetables in my backyard. Nothing beats the flavor of vegetables that you grow yourself, and it is fun and rewarding. That is, until you notice unwelcome insect pests causing damage to your edible crops. In the low to…

 It's about to get really cold... Well, cold in this area of the desert southwest.  Temperatures are predicted to dip into the 20s for a few days, which is quite cold for zone 9a. As a result, I am being asked by quite a few…

Thoughtful Gardening Gifts: Ten Must-Have Items I love to spend time out in the garden, but it may surprise you to learn that I don't have a garden shed full of tools, fertilizer, and other gardening items. Full Disclosure: I USED…

Heat proof garden plans are easy to put together. Forecasts of a heatwave in the desert may seem a rather foreign concept when temperatures in summer are routinely over 100 degrees. However, when temps are predicted to be 110 degrees and over,…