Xtremehorticulture of the Desert

 Summer pruning focuses on removing or robbing the tree of its "invested" new growth. It can help keep tree smaller and reduce the...

Q. I need a hedge to block the dog area from view. Are there any drought tolerant, full sun bushes that can handle extra nitrogen in the soi...

Jojoba ( Simmondsia californica ) Do you want practice managing a plant that does not need much water by pruning it? Try this Sonoran Desert...

 Buying and planting citrus, subtropical and tropical trees, in the Eastern Mojave Desert can be a challenge. First is finding a good locati...

Q. I am writing regarding the purchase and planting of a ‘Eureka’ lemon tree. Of main concern to me is where to plant the tree, where to pur...

In this episode of Desert Horticulture learn that visual and nonvisual types of damage that occur to landscape plants, (vegetables, fruit an...

Q. I'm finally having my empty backyard landscaped. It's the typical subdivision super hard "soil". Should it be amended s...

Windy Weather Windy weather, like we had over a past weekend, is very damaging to plants. (Notice I said “is” and not “can be”?) Light winds...

Q. Will a caper bush ( Capparis spinosa ) grow in Las Vegas? Where might I buy one? I called a local nursery and got nowhere. A. Briny cap...

Q. I read somewhere that putting crushed up eggshells is good for the garden, so I have been doing that. I also throw tea leaves and coffee ...

Q. What do I do with all the partially used chemical fertilizers in my garage? Chemical storage. A. Most mineral fertilizers can be applie...

Q. I want to replace all my chemical fertilizers with organic formulations. The problem is that I’m not finding any organic fertilizers for ...

Q. I have an ornamental flowering plum that produces fruit. I want to spray it to stop the fruit production and the messiness it brings. Las...

Q. At our wildlife preserve near Midland, Texas, I found ephedra plants (Mormon tea) that looks like it might be diseased. Other plants in t...

Q. My African sumac tree has a fungus in it. I am thinking of cutting off the whole main branch because of the disease but it’s a guide bran...

I think it was the cleric and economist Robert Malthus who developed a theory that large populations of organisms would slowly make their ow...

Q. I have a California pepper tree near my pool that’s constantly dropping leaves into it. I am wondering if I can lower its height so it wi...

  USDA Amends the National List for Organic Crops and Handling Final Rule Published The Organic Foods Production Act created the Natio...

Q. Being I have several neglected outside plants that need attention, I cleaned their dead growth and replaced any soil missing with new pot...

Q. Can I use burlap for shade cloth? Burlap fabric   A. Don’t use burlap as a solid piece in place of shade cloth for permanent shade. It ...