grapefruit_cleaner

DIY Natural Household Cleaner From Citrus Peels

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Household Cleaners Do you like the idea of using household cleaners that are natural? I do. Especially after I noticed a build-up of 'blue' cleaning product in the small crevices of my bathroom counters. So, I decided to focus…
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badly pruned shrubs

Landscape No-No’s and How to Fix Them: Over Planted, Poodle Pruned Shrubs and Lack of Variety

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Photo: Landscape No-No Addressing Issues in Landscaping: A Guide to Pruned Shrubs Have you ever driven past a landscape that had some problems with it?  As a horticulturist and landscape consultant, my attention diverts whenever…
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William_Shakespeare_rose_sign

My Love Affair With Roses: Looking Forward and Back

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Introduction to a Passion I have had a love affair with roses for over 26 years. It all began when we bought our first house. I was a young mother with two girls who was giddy with the possibilities of having her very own spot of…
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palo verde tree bougainvillea backyard landscape

Old and New Blend Together in a Backyard Landscape

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Revamping Your Backyard Landscape Assessing the Need for Change Do you have parts of your backyard landscape that you would like to change? Perhaps you have areas you like in your garden. There are also plants you are tired of or…
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Rosemary Herb Salt

DIY Rosemary Herb Salt

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Elevate Your Culinary Creations with Herb Salt Do you like to use herbs to flavor your favorite dishes? If so, then you'll want to try herb salt. Unveiling Herb Salts - Nature's Flavorful Blend So what are herb salts, you may…
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bougainvillea in container

Container Gardening: Growing Bougainvillea in Pots

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Do you love the beauty of bougainvillea? Many of us will agree that bougainvillea is beautiful, but many homeowners hesitate to grow them for a variety of reasons. The most common that I hear is that they get too big and…
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desert garden in summer

Lessons From a Heat-Stressed Desert Garden

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Let's face it. Hot summers are not surprising to desert dwellers. In fact, a typical desert garden with native and desert-adapted plants will weather intense heat with little fuss. However, this summer has been one for the books and…
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Philodendron 'Birkin'

Dipping My Toes Into the Wonderful World of Houseplants

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I have a shocking confession to make... Believe it or not, I'm relatively new to growing houseplants. Yep, it's true. As a horticulturist, I've focused my career almost solely on outdoor plants with only the occasional foray into…
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Are Your Roses Feeling The Heat?

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Photo: Roses Feeling The Heat , My Abraham Darby shrub rose and my little dog, Tobey. Challenges of Hot Arid Climates for Roses If you live in a hot arid climate, chances are that your roses are feeling the heat and aren't looking…
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local Plant Nursery

How Do You Choose a Plant Nursery?

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Finding the Perfect Plant Nursery Navigating Plant Shopping Options "Where do you recommend I go to buy plants? At a plant nursery?" This is one question that I'm often asked by desert dwellers. The choices that people have for purchasing…
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