Desert plants are challenged by hot and arid growing conditions. Water-wise gardening addresses their water needs and defines the best growing locations. But how can we be more confident that the timely pollination needed to set seeds, fruits, or nuts is accomplished? The answer is desert native bees, master pollinators of desert plants. The estimated 1,000 species of native bees …
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How do I know if I’m getting the most out of my irrigation system? Irrigation expert, Dave Pratt, will give you tips and tricks for maximizing efficiency of your irrigation equipment, controller, and layout.
Read MoreOrange bells, Ruellia, Eremophila, oh my! Plant expert Jim Oravetz will have you flitting and fluttering over a variety of plant options to attract winged critters to your yard.
Read MoreDid you recently install a smart controller for your irrigation system? Are you considering purchasing a smart controller in the near future? This class is intended to teach you best-practices for utilizing the features of your smart controller in order to gain the water-saving benefits you deserve.
Read MoreYou survived the summer, temperatures are starting to drop, and you’re itching to get back in the yard! As you prepare your planting schedule, we are here to help with a special focus in this workshop on aromatic plants.
Read MoreWe’re kicking off the planting season with this landscape makeover workshop. You will learn how to get the most out of your landscape renovation with step-by-step guidelines, tips on hiring landscape professionals, and a special focus on rainwater harvesting retrofits.
Read MoreWhether you are new to desert landscaping, or just a plants nerd like us, you’ll find something to inspire you as you prepare for the planting season. This class will focus specifically on plant selection for desert-adapted plants. Pretty plants that won’t break my water bill? Yes, please!
Read MoreIt’s no surprise that the biggest challenge to growing plants in our region is the intense heat and dryness of summer, which is a stressful environment for plants. Thankfully, there are several plants that thrive in a hot, dry climate. Here are a few of Southwest Gardening’s Noelle Johnson’s favorite plants that can take the Southwest heat. 1. Bush Lantana (Lantana …
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Envision your dream landscape. Does it have a rainwater-harvesting garden, rockwork, and basins overflowing with flowering native plants? How about a greywater system watering a fig tree or a buzzing pollinator garden? Once you’ve got the image, how would you bring it to life? Watershed Management Group (WMG) can help! Water harvesting rain gardens are basins that collect water and …
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Hydrate Your Food Use rain tanks to support your vegetable garden Rain tanks are like rain barrels, only upgraded: bigger, better, and your harvested rainwater lasts longer. While most rain barrels hold about 50 gallons of water, rain tanks can hold 1,000 gallons or more, capturing water from several storms and storing it for use over the course of many drier …
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Vibrant purple color, lush green foliage, and a long bloom period combine in the form of desert ruellia (Ruellia peninsularis). This Southwestern native thrives in full sun and shrugs off the intense heat in summer. The arrival of spring is greeted by a large flush of purple flowers, which contrast beautifully against the bright green leaves. Flowering will continue through …
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The Hummingbird’s Choice Award goes to … Chuparosa! If Arizona’s hummingbirds could vote on a state flower, it would be Chuparosa (Justicia californica). A mainstay of most wildlife gardens, this long-suffering desert beauty asks little and gives much. It can be grown long and lanky, spindly branches vining into trees — or pruned to take on a more civilized appearance. …
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