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Tag Archives: Drought Tolerant Gardening
California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum) Adds Fall Color to High Desert Gardens
I took a lot of chances on planting California native plants slightly out of their natural range. Most of them didn’t make it. One of the successes, among my favorites, was California fuchsia (Epilobium canun). I planted mine where the … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged California fuchsia, Drought Tolerant, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Drought Tolerant Plant, Dry Gardening, Epilobium canum, Fall Color, Fall Planting, Garden, Habitat for Humming Birds, High Desert, High Desert Gardening, High Desert Living, Home, Humming Birds, Hummingbird Trumpet, Low Impact Design, Mojave Desert Garden, Permaculture, Permaculture Garden, Southwest, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Garden Plant, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Water Conservation, Water Wise Plants, Xerophytic Gardening, Zauschneria californica, Zauschneria canum
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Rock Outcrops | Observations and Thoughts for a Desert Rain Garden
Rock outcrops show us how lush, green plants such as native cherries can flourish in a desert during a major drought without expensive irrigation water. Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat
Tagged California Native Plants, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Environmental engineering, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Living, Landscape architecture, Landscape Design, LID, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Outcrops, Permaculture, Rain Gardens, Rainwater Harvesting, Rock Formations, Stormwater, Stormwater management, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable environmental design, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Living, Water Conservation, Water harvesting, Water in the Desert, Water Wise Plants, Xerophytic Gardening
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Simple Starter Compost Pile | Wire Basket
A simple way to start a compost pile is to create a wire basket. Take a sheet of mesh fencing such as chicken wire, hardware cloth, or chain link fencing that is readily accessible. Overlap the sides of the mesh … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Compost, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Garden, High Desert Living, How to make a compost pile, Kitchen Garden, Permaculture, Protect plants from chickens, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, Use Compost Basket to Protect Young Plants
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How Some Animals Can Help Compost
Good scavengers for the backyard composting include pigeons, rabbits and chickens. Continue reading
Posted in Back Yard Farm, Garden Habitat, Soil
Tagged Backyard Chickens, Chickens, Compost, Decomposers, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Garden, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Pigeons, Rabbits, Scavengers, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, The Essential Compost Pile
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What is Compost?
According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, compost is “a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land.” Simply put, compost is what is left behind by organisms that eat dead things. Biologists call these … Continue reading
Posted in Soil
Tagged Compost, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Garden, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, Water Conservation, Water harvesting, Xerophytic Gardening
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Summary of My Training and Experience Regarding Compost
My introduction to compost was a gift from my Dad. As a farm boy and soil scientist, he had an avid interest in compost long before it became trendy. Some of my earliest memories were of him turning and tending … Continue reading
Posted in Soil
Tagged Compost, Compost Masters, Dad, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Education, Experience, Family, Garden, Gardening Resources, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Stormwater, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Living, The Essential Compost Pile, Training, Vegetable Garden, Water Conservation, Water harvesting, Xerophytic Gardening
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Fried Egg Plant aka Matilija Poppy Adds Sizzle to Mojave Gardens
My mother introduced me to Matilija poppy when I was a teenager. She planted one in her front garden. The poppy didn’t exactly like where she put it, so it literally moved. It spread by underground stems to where … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged Clonal Plant, Depressional Wetland Plant, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Drought Tolerant Plant, Ecological Gardening, Fried Egg Plant, Garden, Great Design Plant, Gully Plant, High Desert Living, Horticulture, Key Point Plant, Landscape Design, Low Impact Design, Matilija poppy, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Perennials, Permaculture, Plant for Sunset Zone 10, Plant for USDA Zone 8B, Romneya coulteri, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sunset Zone 10, Sustainable Garden Plant, Sustainable Gardening, Swale Plant, Tree poppy, Underground Stem, USDA Zone 8B, Water Wise Plant, Water Wise Plants, Wild Flowers, Xeriscape, Xerophytic Gardening, xerophytic landscaping, Xerophytic Plant, Zone 10 Xeriscape Perennials
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Surprise Visit From Pest Management Team Member
California Herps Page for Yellow-backed Spiny Lizard – Sceloporus uniformis I was quite surprised to find a friendly visitor in my dining room this afternoon. A rather calm lizard was basking on the tile floor. My cat walked by … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat
Tagged Backyard Farm, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Living, Integrated Pest Management, Kitchen Garden, Lizard, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Pest Management, Scloporus uniformis, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, Vegetable Garden, Xerophytic Gardening, Yellow Backed Spiny Lizard
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Local Gardener Skips Soil: Hydroponics Garden
Turning the desert into an ‘oasis of healthy eating The Victorville Daily Press released an interesting article about a local gardener who uses hydroponics to grow his vegetables. Good read. By Rene Ray De La Cruz Staff Writer Posted … Continue reading
Posted in Kitchen Garden
Tagged Backyard Farm, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Gardening Resources, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, Vegetable Gardening
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Desert Natives Nursery Delivers
If you are tire of spending money on plants that don’t belong here and ultimately die, a local nursery operated by horticulturists with expertise in the local ecosystem is a wise investment. For what I spent taking risks on plants that never stood a chance, I would have been better off spending more money per plant on plants that do well under local growing conditions. Continue reading
Posted in Garden Community, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Low Impact Design, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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Value of Ancient Ways – Dialog with Pat Spray Regarding His Native American Ancestor’s Use of Key Hole Gardens
For all our stunning scientific advancements, listening to grandparents talk about traditional ways is well worth while. Sure, some traditions worked out better in the long run than others. As we push the limits on technical advancements, we are learning which traditions are keepers. Native American agricultural practices that endured through thousands of years without environmental collapse are worth in-depth study. Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Biodynamic Gardening, Compost, Desert Gardening, Desert Soil, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Erosion Control, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Living, Indigenous Gardens, Landscape Design, Low Impact Design, Native American Gardening, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Permaculture Garden, Soil Conservation, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Living, Three Sisters Vegetable Garden, Water in the Desert, Xerophytic Gardening
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Free Water in the Desert
So, I’m not the only crazy person out there who sees free irrigation water in “flooding problems” I found a great series of links to videos on stormwater and rainwater harvesting. If you want to grow more than rocks in … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat
Tagged Backyard Farm, Best Management Practices, Biodynamic Gardening, Bioswale, Desert Gardening, Desert Soil, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Dry Gardening, Ecological Gardening, Floodwaters, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Gardening, High Desert Living, Horticulture, Infiltration, Key Point, Keyline, Keyline Channel, Landscape Design, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert Garden, Natural Resource Conservation, Ornamental Gardening, Passive Irrigation, Permaculture, Permaculture Design, Permaculture Garden, Post Construction BMPs, Rain Gardens, Rain Water Harvesting, Rainwater Recycling, Road Runoff, Runon Management, Stormwater, Stormwater Harvesting, Stormwater Infiltration, Stormwater management, Stormwater Retention, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainability, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Living, Swale, Water Conservation, Water efficient, Water harvesting, Water in the Desert, Water Management, Water Stewardship, Water Wise, Xerophytic Gardening
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Houzz Article Features Good Overview of Earth Friendly Gardens
Benjamin Vogt of Monarch Gardens contributed a well written article that presented features to consider and benefits of earth friendly gardens. My favorite, was his use of swales. 5 Ideas for a More Earth-Friendly Garden https://www.houzz.com/jsGalleryWidget/gallery/65260850//title_on=yes/width=620
Mojave Roadside Swale Blooms After Desert Rains
I maintained the grade of the roadside swale and added landscaping to solve problems: flooding of the intersection, unauthorized “off-roading” across my front yard, and unauthorized cement laying in my corner. An additional benefit has been free irrigation water in an area where water is very expensive. Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Biodynamic Gardening, Bioswale, Biotechnology, Depressional Wetland, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Dry Gardening, Eco-engineering, Ecological Gardening, Facultative Wetland, Facultative Wetlands, Floodwaters, Garden, High Desert Living, Horticulture, Key Point, Keyline, Keyline Channel, Landscape Design, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Natural Resource Conservation, Ornamental Gardening, Passive Irrigation, Permaculture, Rain Gardens, Rainwater Recycling, Stormwater, Stormwater management, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Living, Swales, Water Conservation, Water efficient, Water harvesting, Water in the Desert, Water Issues, Water Management, Water Stewardship, Water Treatment, Water Wise, Water Wise Plants, Wetlands, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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Mojave Aster
Mojave Aster, is easily one of my favorite plants. It features large blue flowers with a yellow center. When it opened it’s flowers in my garden this morning, I had to share it with you. My Experience Growing Mojave Aster … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Dry Gardening, Garden, High Desert Living, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Sustainable Landscaping, Sustainable Living, Water Conservation, Water Wise Plants, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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More Awesome Links for Key Hole Gardens
Keyhole gardens are basically raised beds with an access path and built in compost column. After I published Keyhole Gardens are a Proven Strategy for Working With Caliche in Arid Regions, I got a ping back from Mr. Jon Moore … Continue reading
Posted in Kitchen Garden
Tagged Backyard Farm, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Landscape Design, Mojave Desert Garden, Permaculture, Sustainable Gardening, Vegetable Garden, Vegetable Gardening, Water in the Desert, Xerophytic Gardening
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Iris Thrives in Mojave Gardens
None of the iris that I purchased bloomed so far this year. The iris that were given to me, on the other hand, have been spectacular. When I compare iris that thrived to iris that either died or failed to … Continue reading
Keyhole Gardens are a Proven Strategy for Working With Caliche in Arid Regions
I learned some wonderful strategies for working with caliche layers under poor soils from the local gardening community. Keyhole gardens are one of the approaches. I have seen several interpretations of the keyhole garden posted on Facebook. Then some Julie … Continue reading
Posted in Kitchen Garden
Tagged Backyard Farm, Desert Gardening, Desert Soil, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Growing Vegetables in the High Desert, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Landscape Design, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Water in the Desert, Xerophytic Gardening
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Growing in the Zone
When I am selecting plants that I am not familiar with, knowing which zone my garden is in, can be really handy. Continue reading
Posted in Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Backyard Farm, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Vegetable Garden, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Xerophytic Gardening
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Article in a nut shell, locally native milkweeds are good for monarchs. Tropical and non-native milkweeds may bloom at times that disrupt monarch migratory schedule. Additionally, non-natives may invade natural habitat and destroy native plants needed by many species.Milkweed Can Be Bad For Monarchs?
Source: Milkweed Can Be Bad For Monarchs?
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, LID, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Organic Farming, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Sustainable Gardening, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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Source for Milkweed. I am not familiar with this nursery. I am bookmarking it for future references and thought that I should share it with you.Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) Hello Yellow | Milkweed Plant | Plant For Monarch Butterflies
Asclepias Tuberosa – Carefree, long-lived N. American native both deer and drought resistant, and the only plant the monarch butterfly will lay her eggs on. Source: Asclepias Tuberosa (Butterfly Weed) Hello Yellow | Milkweed Plant | Plant For Monarch Butterflies
Posted in Garden Habitat
Tagged Asclepias Tuberosa, Butterfly Garden, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Garden Habitat, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Low Impact Design, Milkweed, Mojave Desert Garden, Monarch, Monarch Butterflies, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Plant Nurseries, Sustainable Gardening, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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This article supports use of infiltrating roof run off and road runoff in rain gardens. More could be gained than free irrigation for native and drought tolerant gardens. Storing Extra Surface Water Boosts Groundwater Supply During Droughts | UT News | The University of Texas at Austin
Although years of drought and over-pumping have depleted groundwater in Arizona and California, a new study shows the situation has created underground reservoirs where extra surface water can be stored. Source: Storing Extra Surface Water Boosts Groundwater Supply During Droughts … Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Infiltration, Mojave Desert Garden, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Post Construction BMPs, Rain Gardens, Stormwater, Sustainable Gardening, Water harvesting, Water in the Desert, Xerophytic Gardening
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Banana Yucca Blooms for Easter
Happy Easter! Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, Mojave Desert, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Xerophytic Gardening
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Holly Leaf Cherry Provides Dark Green Foliage With Little to No Irrigation
Native to California, the holly leaf cherry is a tough shrub to small tree that provides dense evergreen foliage, food for birds, shade, and depending on the location, privacy. Continue reading
Posted in Garden Habitat, Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Bird Attraction, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Evergreen, Garden, High Desert Living, Holly Leaf Cherry, Mojave Desert, Mojave Desert Garden, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Privacy Screen, Prunus ilicifolia (Nutt. ex Hook. & Arn.) D. Dietr., Shrub, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Tree, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Xerophytic Gardening
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Firecracker Penstemon Adds Pop to Mojave Gardens
Of all the plants that I have purchased to date, firecracker penstemon has given me the biggest bang for my buck. Continue reading
Posted in Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged Attracts Bees, Attracts Hummingbirds, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, High Desert Living, Low Impact Design, Low Impact Development, Mojave Desert, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, Xerophytic Gardening
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Botanic Gardens: Spring Plant Sale
On the weekend of April 2nd and 3rd, nearly 10,000 plants and more than 600 varieties will be available for you to purchase. Continue reading
Tagged Botanical Garden, Botany, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Events, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Kitchen Garden, LID, Low Impact Design, Master Gardener, Master gardener program, Mojave Desert, Native Plants, Organizations, Ornamental Gardening, Permaculture, Plant, Plant Nurseries, Post Construction BMPs, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Sustainable Gardening, UC Riverside, Vegetable Garden, Where to Buy Plants for Desert Gardening, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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“Angelita Daisy”
“Angelita Daisy”, (Tetraneuris ivesiana Greene), provides color and food for bees almost year round. Continue reading
Posted in Ornamental Gardening, Plant List
Tagged Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Living, Mojave Desert, Native Plants, Ornamental Gardening, Plant, Success Gardening in the Mojave Desert, Town of Apple Valley, United States, Water Wise Plants, Xerophytic Gardening
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Free Days at Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens
Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden is a great place to view and purchase plants that grow well in Southern California. Their collections and nursery include plants that do well in the Mojave Desert. Their botanists are also a great resource. … Continue reading
Posted in Ornamental Gardening
Tagged Botanical Garden, Botany, Desert Gardening, Drought Tolerant Gardening, Events, Free, Garden, Gardening Resources, High Desert Gardening Community, High Desert Living, Native Plants, Organizations, Ornamental Gardening, Plant Nurseries, Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, Spring, Wild Flowers, Xerophytic Gardening
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