Last week, I decided to get rid my older pots that I have in my front entry. Years ago, I received these plants from a client who decided that she wanted fancier pots.  So, I took them home, painted them bright colors and installed…

With warming temperatures, many of us begin to think about changing out our cool-season annual flowers for plants that can take the heat of summer. Last week, I gave a potting demonstration for attendees of a local home tour.   …

Spring for a horticulturist, is much the same as tax season for tax professional. With the warming temperatures, I am very busy with landscape consults.  While I enjoy meeting and helping clients with their landscape needs, it does…

Have you ever embarked upon an unexpected adventure? I recently did. It all started with an email from the folks at Troy-Bilt who asked me to partner with them and review their outdoor power products in return for my honest opinion.  I…

Signs of Trouble: Overwatered Saguaro Cactus Last week, I was finishing up a landscape consult with a client. I see that the saguaro cactus growing in his neighbor's yard is a fat overwatered cactus. At first glance, you may have…

Isn't this a pretty flowering shamrock? Okay, it's not really a shamrock.  It does belong to a family of plants known as 'false shamrocks'. Since I can't grow real shamrocks in my desert garden, I just like to pretend that my…

There are few types of vegetables that don't always survive winter in my zone 9a garden without protection when temperatures dip below freezing.   In the past, I have protected my San Marzano tomato plants with success by covering them…

One of my favorite plants is described as having 'chartreuse-colored' flowers. Just saying the word, 'chartreuse' sounds fancy, doesn't it? So what color is chartreuse anyway? Well, I looked up the definition and found this definition…

Wouldn't it be great to have a regional guide for things to do, places to stay and great places to eat? The EastValleyGuide is a great resource for those who live in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa and Tempe. I was asked to write an article for…