How & When to Fertilize Citrus Trees
If you grow citrus trees in the desert southwest, it’s important that you fertilize them to keep them healthy, attractive, and productive. But there’s more to it than haphazardly sprinkling … Read more
Desert Plant Care
There are many aspects of plant care to keep your desert plants healthy and beatiful. Watering is at the top of the list, but there is also pruning, fertilizing, providing shade and cold protection, and more. Here at Southwest Gardener you’ll find in-depth information on keeping your plants healthy and beautiful while, minimizing maintenance tasks for you.
Why Even Desert Succulents Like Some Shade
Assuming that landscape succulents (i.e. cactus, agave, aloes) love full sun is a common mistake that many desert gardeners make. Here’s why full sun can be hard on even the … Read more
How & When to Fertilize Desert Palms
How and when should you fertilize desert landscape palms? Do you really need a special palm fertilizer? Discover why fertilizing is recommended, what to look for in a palm fertilizer, … Read more
Morning or Evening? The Best Time to Water Desert Plants
When should you water your plants — in the morning or in the evening? How much does it matter? Discover what the experts have to say about the best time … Read more
Heat Wave Survival Tips for Desert Gardens
Extreme heat, sun, and wind are to be expected during the summer in the desert southwest. But sometimes, we experience even “worse than usual” conditions that further stress already stressed … Read more
9 Reasons Desert Plants Love the Rain
We’ve all noticed that after a rain, plants perk up. They look greener and brighter. They suddenly put out new growth and flowers, even though they were regularly watered with … Read more
Why Dusty Desert Plants Need a Shower
Hot, dry, windy conditions make for dusty desert landscape plants. And dusty plants are not happy plants. Learn the ways desert dust contributes to plant problems and how simply hosing … Read more
7 Tips for Watering Landscape Cactus (& Other Succulents)
Correct watering is the single most important thing you can do for your landscape plants, including cactus. Cactus are often watered too much, too little … or not at all. … Read more
Why Desert Plants Get Iron Chlorosis (& what to do)
If your desert landscape plant has yellow leaves, it may have a deficiency called iron chlorosis. Learn about the symptoms, causes, and treatments here. If you have a plant with … Read more
How & Why to “Deep Water” Desert Plants
Correct watering is the single most important thing you can do for your desert landscape plants. But most homeowners water “quick & shallow” which stresses their plants and wastes water. … Read more
6 Steps for Successful Spring Planting
In the desert southwest, spring planting can be surprisingly stressful on plants. Here are 6 steps you can take to minimize their stress and get your plants off to the … Read more
How to Dig a Hole in the Desert
Digging a proper hole is the first step in plant care. But digging a hole isn’t that simple in the desert. Putting a plant in a half-baked hole will doom … Read more