Transitioning to Summer
As we progress through the year of maintaining our landscape it’s time to focus on transitioning from spring into summer. Whether you spend the summer in the Valley or leave, details that are taken care of now will yield big results in the look and enjoyment of your dream landscape. While the official first day >> Read More…
Irrigating During Summer
As we approach summer and the weather begins to warm, you need to be ready to increase the irrigation cycle on some irrigation zones around your house. This means completing a thorough check-up to detect any existing and potential problems before temperatures rise and timely watering becomes a crisis. Inspect Emitters and Zones First conduct >> Read More…
Container Options for Veggies and Flowers
Use of container and raised-bed gardens is a practical and ever popular choice with many homeowners. Integrated around your outdoor living areas, they can add warmth and character to areas that may otherwise be hard and uninviting. And since backyards are now typically smaller, containers can make an excellent patio garden. They’ll add greenery, architectural >> Read More…
Planning for Tomatoes
As I write this article with my windows open enjoying the warm weather, it reminds me that we can start planting now. We could have frost until the middle of March so you will have to protect tomatoes and peppers if you plant now. Of course the warmer weather also reminds me that we will >> Read More…
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…
