The summer monsoons and winter rains add moisture to the Sonoran desert. These rains make it one of the most, if not the most, biologically diverse desert on the planet. There are also several mountain ranges throughout the Sonoran desert, and Santa Cruz County sits at the edge of the uplands division in the Sonoran desert.
A great looking garden can not only enhance the beauty of a home, but can also be a great source of enjoyment. No landscaper knows better than you what your family wants and needs in your garden. Here are some points of view to consider when planning or improving your garden.
Gardeners in the western United States sometimes are confused when confronted with the 11 hardiness zones created by the USDA. Learn why the the Sunset zone maps, which cover 13 Western states, is more precise than the USDA's.
Drought tolerant plants are plants having adapted to tolerate drought better than most. A drought tolerant plant will survive in your landscape with less than normal amounts of rainfall. Not all drought tolerant plants are native and not all native plants are drought tolerant.
Xeriscaping refers to the conservation of water through creative landscaping. Originally developed for drought-afflicted areas, the principles of xeriscape today have an ever broadening appeal. With water now considered an expensive and limited resource, all residential landscaping projects can benefit from this alternative.
Harvesting rainwater can reduce the use of drinking water for landscape irrigation. Coupled with the use of native and desert-adapted plants, rainwater harvesting is an effective water conservation tool because it provides "free" water that is not from the municipal supply.
All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. Succulent plants retain water in arid climates or soil conditions. The water is stored in various structures, such as leaves, stems, and in the plant's roots. Which is why some parts of the plants are more than normally thickened and fleshy.
Flower gardens add visual interest to your home, improve its curb appeal and encourage you to interact with nature. When planning a colorful flower garden, include a variety of perennials, annuals and bulbs that bloom at various times during the spring, summer and fall, so you can enjoy the flowers for several months at a time.
Modern garden design has changed dramatically over the years. Minimalist aspects can make the garden into a great space for living and entertaining, focusing on materials rather than planting. A big advantage of the minimalist gardens is their low-maintenance because of the simplicity of its designs.
Pastels radiate most strongly in indirect light and on overcast days. Consider incorporating pastel colours in your outdoor retreats and planting the subtle colors where the morning or evening light lingers. Pale pinks, blues, lavenders, and yellows light up shady places. In gloomy climates, pastels shine.
Nothing says spring more than a bulb garden! Flower bulbs are an easy way to add splashes of color to your garden and bulbs are among the most anticipated flowers — their appearance signals a new garden season and the return of color to the bleak late-winter landscape.
Plan your work ahead with these monthly gardening checklists! Each month-to-month lists of gardening tips are appropriate for the southwest gardener for that time of year including what to plan, plant, prune, maintain, plus weed and pest control and fun projects.
Few things that you can do in the garden are more satisfying than growing your own fruit. Fruit trees are the perfect landscape choice in many ways: gorgeous blossoms, foliage for shade on a summer day, tasty fruit and usually great fall color. Even in winter, the bare branches of most fruit trees provide interest in the landscape.
A butterfly garden is an easy way to see more butterflies and to help them, since many natural butterfly habitats have been lost to human activities. It is easy to increase the number and variety of butterflies in your yard. Simply grow the plants the caterpillars like to eat, and plants that adult butterflies feed on!
Fire-resistant plants are those that do not readily ignite from a flame or other ignition sources. These plants can be damaged or even killed by fire; however, their foliage and stems do not significantly contribute to the fuel and, therefore, the fire's intensity.
While our backyards and gardens are usually peaceful havens from the world's hustle and bustle, their upkeep can lead to injury when proper safety precautions are not followed. Each year about 400,000 people are treated in hospital emergency departments for injuries related to the use of lawn and garden tools.