I believe that butterflies, some of the most beautiful, magnificent and interesting creatures in any garden, are God’s gift to gardeners. Fortunately, butterfly numbers are increasing in our landscapes. The reason so many butterflies are appearing in gardens is that they are losing their natural habitats. The building of homes, roads and farms in Arizona contributes to the increased butterfly populations in cultivated gardens. Creating a butterfly garden is an easy way to attract more … [Read more...] about Identifying Plants that Attract Butterflies
Ken Lain
Growing, Reaping Benefits of Rosemary
Rosemary is commonly used in cooking to flavor soups, sauces and meats. Perhaps less well known, it also has many health benefits and can be used as a natural remedy for a variety of ailments. Here are 10 health benefits of rosemary that will prompt you to grow this plant and find ways to use this valuable, fragrant herb. Cancer Prevention - Rosemary contains carnosol, found in studies to be a potent anti-cancer compound. Researchers have had promising results of its efficacy against breast … [Read more...] about Growing, Reaping Benefits of Rosemary
Run on Garden Center has Official Name – Victory Garden 2.0
The spring planting season has an unusual twist, a consumer-run on garden supplies, seed, plants, and fruit trees are selling out. The garden center industry has even names the phenomenon - Victory Garden 2.0. The demand is surprisingly healthy for anything edible in the backyard. Greenhouse space is shifting from flowers over to consumable plant sales. "In past flowers outsold vegetable plants 2-to-1, but not this spring. I'm worried about not having enough seed and … [Read more...] about Run on Garden Center has Official Name – Victory Garden 2.0
Happy Healthy Succulents Grow Easy
Succulents are popular for two simple reasons: they are beautiful and nearly indestructible. They have shallow roots that form a dense mat just under the soil surface. With thick, fleshy, water-storing foliage, stems and/or roots, they are especially adept at surviving harsh Arizona conditions. A fascinating variety of exciting succulent foliage and plant shapes abound, including paddle leaves, tight rosettes, bushy fullness or trailing columns of teardrop leaves. Aloe and agaves are the most … [Read more...] about Happy Healthy Succulents Grow Easy
Exploring Plants You Can Eat
Early spring brings a sense of rejuvenation, vitality and renewal; a revitalization that we gardeners see in our plants’ new leaves and blossoms. The season also generates activity in plants that produce edibles, especially those fruit trees that flourish in the higher elevations of Arizona. But there is more to fruit trees than just a bountiful harvest; they bring seasonal interchanges of colors and textures that provide fascinating diversity in our landscapes. Fruit bearers’ spring blooms … [Read more...] about Exploring Plants You Can Eat
Plants that Promote Better Sleep
There is no question that proper sleep hygiene is essential for optimal brain function. Perpetually debated is the precise number of hours we should sleep to feel our very best, a number that varies for mostly genetic reasons. Research has confirmed that there is an active correlative link between sleep impairment and subsequent decline in one’s mental and physical health. Humans who do not get sufficient restorative sleep suffer from a host of problems, including pronounced anxiety, chronic … [Read more...] about Plants that Promote Better Sleep
Planting Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays
Using living trees instead of fresh-cut trees to decorate for the holidays has increased in popularity. More than half of my local Christmas tree sales are for living trees that will be planted in January. Because of their waxy needles and high internal pitch, most conifers need surprisingly little water. This is true for the high- country natives like pine, cypress, cedar and juniper. Once these trees reach their mature sizes, they thrive in our arid climate, dry soil and extreme mountain … [Read more...] about Planting Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays
Plant the Best Fall-Colored Trees Now
Not all trees are created equal when it comes to autumn colors, and this is their season. Autumn is also the ideal planting window for trees and tall shrubs. Increased garden success is achieved when plants are showing their colors. The days are cool and the soil is warm, so plants start with a burst of new root growth. Most properties don’t have many trees. You can count on one hand the number of trees in the average landscape. Trees stand out in any landscape like anchors that bring … [Read more...] about Plant the Best Fall-Colored Trees Now
Ten Ways to an Easy Garden
Time seems to stand still when the stressed voices repeat themselves in my head. But not in the garden, where an unplugged afternoon seems to melt away like a fading sun. Gardening is my escape from a hyper connected world of Facebook, inbox and scrolling Instagram posts. It becomes my inspiration when spending too much time writing behind the screen. A good garden is coffee time with your thoughts, watching a sunrise, the majesty of a butterfly or the buzzing of hummingbirds. Gardener is a … [Read more...] about Ten Ways to an Easy Garden
Tips for Choosing, Growing Roses
What better way to enjoy the romance of the garden than by growing roses? Rose gardening has gotten a bad rap in recent years. Growing roses doesn’t have to be a challenge. Choose the right plant for your local garden and you’re halfway to having a spectacular rose garden. Learn the basics of caring for roses and your gardens will be the envy of the neighborhood. In a nutshell, there are four magic ingredients for making your roses happy and your garden a reality. The Soil Roses prefer a soil … [Read more...] about Tips for Choosing, Growing Roses