Each region has their own way of celebrating Christmas.  Of course Christmas lights seem just about universal and they are one of my favorite parts of decorating for Christmas. Some of you may feel that it is not Christmas without snow,…

Whenever I am not writing, you'll often find me out in the field helping others learn how to grow and maintain their landscapes. Usually most landscape consultations are fairly routine.  However, I sometimes see something truly unique. Earlier…

One of the benefits of growing vegetables in zone 9 is that we are able to grow vegetables all year long.   However, despite our relatively mild winters, warm-season vegetables such as  peppers and tomatoes can't handle temperatures…

Most of us are familiar with teak wood and its beauty.  Often, you can find it in a garden setting being in the form of benches, which weather the sun and rain with no problem. Teak wood is extremely durable and unlike many types of…

Have you ever looked back at your calendar and wondered at how you ever got everything done while still remaining somewhat sane? I have... Oh, I knew ahead of time that it would take a small miracle to get through the 30 days, starting…

*This blog post contains affiliate link for a product that helps get rid of caterpillars. If you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission (at no additional cost to you). Thanks for your support in this way.* Fall…

Do you like to decorate your home with natural objects?   I do. Recently, I've been busy creating items using things found in nature.   For example, these may seem like regular pieces of wood from a tree - but what if…

Queen butterfly and a Victoria agave Do you like succulents? I do.  I must admit that I am not a huge fan of cacti in my own garden - I have only two.  But, I do have a number of agave, which are without a doubt, my favorite…

Did you enjoy your Halloween?  While you may be spending your morning cleaning up small candy wrappers and trying to get your kids out of bed after they crashed after their sugar high - I'd like to ask you a question: "What are you…