Southwestern Deserts
March 11, 2010
By Cathy Cromell,
Phoenix, AZ
National News - From NGA Editors
Snow in Summer
Sweet alyssum ( Lobularia ) is such a versatile plant, it deserves a spot in just about every garden. Its frothy mounds of flowers look great as an edging plant, in a hanging basket or trailing...
Composting Made Easy
Adding compost to your soil is one of the best ways to improve growing conditions in any garden. Compost helps to lighten heavy soil, increase the water-holding capacity of sandy soils, encourage...
Back-Friendly Gardening
Gardening is great exercise, but all the bending and stooping needed as you weed, prune and plant can take its toll on your back. For those of us whose backs aren’t as strong as they once were, a...
Greencare for Troops
Greencare for Troops is a nationwide outreach program coordinated by the non-profit organization Project Evergreen, whose mission is to preserve and enhance green space in communities across the...
In My Garden
Creating Garden Beds with Minimal Labor
My two previous reports described basic desert soil characteristics and how to amend desert soil to create enriched garden beds. This report covers a less laborious method (in other words, little or no digging) for transforming native soil into a richer...
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Resources
Shows & Events
Arbor Day Plant a tree! National Arbor Day is the last Friday in April, although many states celebrate...
Favorite or New Plant
Velvet Mesquite Prosopis velutina is a deciduous native tree that takes full sun, alkaline soil and limited...
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Regional Reminders
- Use Herbs
- Make Plant Lists
- Pull Winter Weeds
- Prolong Cool-Season Vegetable Harvest
- Maintain Wildflowers
