What Desert Plants Are Making You Sneeze?
If you live in the desert southwest and suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be blaming the wrong plants for your misery. Learn which plants are most likely to cause … Read more
Myths & Misinformation
Don’t be fooled by gardening myths and misinformation. Here at Southwest Gardener we love to “dig deep” to find the truth based in science and “best practices” according to the experts, not the latest social media fad. So here you’ll find articles on gardening topics that are commonly misunderstood.
Purslane, Portulaca, & Moss Rose: What’s the Difference?
There are three plants commonly grown as annuals that go by the interchangeable common names “purslane”, “portulaca”, and “moss rose” — it can be confusing! Learn the difference between them, … Read more
5 Reasons to Skip Neem Oil (& what to use instead)
Neem oil is a natural, versatile insecticide that breaks down fast in the environment and can treat many common insect pests. But it has some big drawbacks, too, including issues … Read more
Desert Clay Soil: Unique Problems & Solutions
Growing plants in the desert is already challenging, and growing them in clay soil can make it even more difficult. Learn how to tell if your soil is clay, the … Read more
Rocks in Your Pots? Don’t Do It!
You’ve probably heard that you should put rocks, gravel, or styrofoam peanuts in the bottom of your plant containers to improve drainage or act as filler. But this gardening myth … Read more
Variety, Hybrid, or Cultivar: What’s the Difference?
When you read plant labels, you’ll notice that many plant names are more complicated than just genus and species. This indicates that they may be a variety, hybrid, or cultivar. … Read more
Why Even Desert Succulents Like Some Shade
Assuming that all 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 … Read more
Invasive Desert Landscape Plants (Do Not Grow!)
Anyone who has lived in the southwest for some time has heard about invasive plant species such as buffelgrass and stinknet. But there are several landscape plants, including some extremely … Read more
Mulch in the Desert: Gravel vs Wood Chips
In the desert southwest, gravel is often the default mulch used to cover yards. But there are also advocates for using wood chips instead. What are the drawbacks and benefits … 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 ultimately wastes … 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
When is Your Last Frost Date? (and why it matters)
Knowing your area’s last frost date is something that every gardener and homeowner should know. It can keep you from inadvertently damaging or killing your plants. But most “last frost … Read more