Master Gardener sharing garden inspiration and helpful tips for growing your own garden.
Although most vegetables, herbs, and flowers do best with abundant sunshine, it is possible to grow them in less than full sun. Learn how to maximize the sunlight and anticipate the challenges that come with gardening in less sunlight. This post about gardening in the shade also includes a helpful list and reference guide of […] Read more…
Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is the “spiller” plant of a hot-climate gardener’s dreams. This ornamental vine is a fast-grower that loves the heat, thrives in full sun, propagates easily, and requires minimal care. Best of all, sweet potato vine comes in a range of colors and a variety of forms. Learn how to grow […] Read more…
One of the most enduring garden annuals is sweet alyssum. This old-fashioned favorite is gaining new popularity as gardeners realize the benefits of this important companion plant. Learn how to grow alyssum with these 5 tips, and add beauty and attract pollinators and beneficial insects to your garden. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See […] Read more…
I first saw four o’clocks on a list of flowers that bloom through Arizona summers. I didn’t know how to grow four o’clocks but thought – hey, if they can bloom through the summer here in the low desert, I need to give them a try. The list was right! I planted four o’clock seeds […] Read more…
10 Cool-Season Flowers That Love Mild Winters Although summers are hot in the low desert, our winters are mild. Several beautiful flowers grow well during the mild winter and bloom through early spring. In this post, I share my 10 favorite cool-season flowers that love mild winters. Keep reading to the end for my honorable-mention choices […] Read more…
Sunflowers are simple to grow and the seeds are a delicious snack too. Keep reading to learn how to grow edible sunflower seeds, when to harvest sunflowers for the plumpest kernels, and how to roast edible sunflower seeds. Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information. How to Grow, Harvest, and Roast […] Read more…
Heat-loving and drought-tolerant, strawflowers grow well in areas with hot summers (cue my happy dance!) Brightly-colored concentric rings adorn these tall stemmed beauties. This Australian native is also called “Everlasting flower” or “paper flower”. Strawflowers are an excellent choice for a cutting garden and provide long lasting blooms in the garden as well. Learn how […] Read more…
On a whim, I picked up a 6 pack of lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) at a local nursery several years ago. It was worth a try to see if they would survive the incredibly hot summers here in the low desert of Arizona. I wasn’t sure how to grow lisianthus, and was shocked when they grew […] Read more…
When I first saw the gorgeous blooms on ranunculus flowers, I didn’t think it was possible to grow them here in the low desert of Arizona. I’m glad I was wrong. Learning how to grow ranunculus is easier than you think. The stunning rose-like blooms with tissue-thin petals almost don’t look real. Ranunculus blooms come […] Read more…
Looking for a flower that doesn’t mind the heat? Tithonia (also known as Mexican sunflower) is a drought-tolerant and heat-loving annual plant native to Mexico and Central America. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds love the bright blooms. Tall branching plants bloom for several months (right up until frost), and make an excellent cut flower. Learn how […] Read more…