Creating Edible Gardens and Pruning Roses
A good family friendly activity is to garden together to start the new year. An edible garden is a great way to start because you—literally–get to eat the fruits of your labor. All you need is an area that gets sunlight at least eight hours per day. You may need to trim back some trees >> Read More…
Soil Prep and Container Gardening
If you are like most people in the Valley, you have hard, salty ground that needs to be opened up and softened. The best place to start is with a soil acidifier that will lower the pH. Next, add a fertilizer that contains a microbial culture, such as Great Big Plants, which when mixed with >> Read More…
‘Tis the Season for Poinsettias
The holiday season brings a flurry of preparatory activity in the home to give it that extra pizzazz for this special time of year: clutter gets cleaned up, the holiday decorations are set out, centerpieces and tablecloths are changed, garland swags and wreaths are hung. There’s a lot that can be done in your garden >> Read More…
Creating a Resort Style Retreat
Now is the time to take advantage of the great fall weather to transform your home landscape into a resort retreat complete with trees, shrubs, groundcovers, containerized plantings as well as patio hardscapes and shade coverings. Planning the Landscape These are ideas you can use for planning, whether a professional is doing the design >> Read More…
Planting Fall Flowers and Veggies
October marks the beginning of the fall gardening season and everything in your garden will need some attention. It’s also the time to start fall flower and vegetable gardens. Turn your attention first to fertilizing and acidifying your citrus trees and other plants. Salt has been slowly building in the soil each time you water >> Read More…
Solutions to Your Soil and Water Problems
Soil is the foundation of all horticulture and agriculture. You can either live with what you have or improve it by amending to make your soil a more desirable environment for your plants. You can enhance with nutrients, microbes and increase the ability of your soil to retain water. You can buy the greatest plants >> Read More…
What’s Old is New at Universal Furnishings and Offerings
“You never know what’s inside a U.F.O.,” jokes Leonardo Ramirez. It is this type of otherworldly mystery that partly inspired the name of his store, Universal Furnishings and Offerings, or simply U.F.O. What is definitely not a mystery is that Ramirez has fashioned a unique space that provides more than a traditional storefront. Providing unique >> Read More…
Water-Wise Plants and Design for Your Landscape
Arid or Xeriscape landscape does not have to be hot, boring, sparsely planted or just gravel-covered areas that look bleak. We call these designs water wise. A good landscape designer has the human environment or microclimate of your home uppermost in thought. The designer should first look at trees—also known as the “upper story”– to >> Read More…
Time to Plant Roses and Other Flowers for Spring Color
Planting roses or maintaining those you have yields many years of beautiful bushes when cared for properly. Flowers add such a blast of color and fragrance that is worthwhile as you enjoy your own landscaping or entertain. Now is a great time and perfect weather to enjoy the easy steps outlined. If you are tired >> Read More…
Adding Color to Your Landscape
Blooming shrubs and trees are an amazing addition to home landscapes. Your yard is a living, changing environment and blooming plants refresh and brighten the area as the seasons change. Adding color to your landscape adds drama, interest, and excites the senses and emotions. Color combinations can evoke tranquility or excitement, or bring to mind >> Read More…
