As I have mentioned before, I am not a desert native....I grew up near the ocean.  To me, the desert was a brown place where prickly cactus and coyotes lived. Well, I have now lived in the desert for almost 24 years and I have…

It is time again for the Monthly Garden Bouquet.  It is hard to believe that May is already more then halfway through. My bouquet for this month is made up of only two different flowers.  Both flowers are from plants that will…

I just love this time of month, when it is time to show what is blooming in my garden.  Spring has definitely sprung and most of my plants are flowering, although there are a few holdouts. First, are the blooms that will soon be ending…

You know how some people are described as 'natural beauties'?  They look great without makeup and their hair only pulled up into a ponytail.  Well, I am not describing myself.  It takes some work in front of the mirror before…

I am very blessed to have my mother and my sister live very close to me.  However, this was not always so.  Twenty-four years ago, I moved to Arizona from California as a new bride.  The rest of my family remained in California. …

Well, I have to admit, that in the past, I did not truly understand the allure of vegetable gardening.  Sure, I had to grow my own plot of vegetables in college for my horticulture class - but that was for a grade.  I also dutifully…

I love the shade.  There is nothing quite so refreshing as a large shade tree in order to be able to escape the sun on a warm day.  Well, guess what?  Vegetables enjoy some shade as well when temperatures start to rise in May…

Vibrant blooms, Annual Vinca (Catharanthus roseus) One of my favorite summer annuals is vinca. Stop by any nursery this time of year, and you will find flats full of their vibrant blooms, and there are many different colors…

You know how our kids are often excited to leave home and go out on their own?  Well, that is what thought came to my mind as it was time for us to let our butterflies out into the big world. We have been raising butterflies from a…