East Valley Tribune - Outdoors

Arizona Gardening: It's not too late to plant summer squash

Fri, 09 May 2008 22:59:03 -0700

Q: Is it too late to plant summer squash? If not, are they difficult to grow?

Visit an oasis on a tour of landscaped ponds

Fri, 09 May 2008 20:26:15 -0700

The Greater Phoenix Pond Society's annual tour isn't just a way to show off some society member's best work. It's also a recruiting drive. "That's how we get out membership," says group member Bill Reeves. "We have a half-dozen people each year that go through the tour, then join."

SLIDESHOW: See images of Bill Reeves' backyard oasis

Plant of the week: Cosmos

Sat, 03 May 2008 01:04:47 -0700

Cosmos feature daisylike flowers dancing atop tall, lacy-leaved stems. There’s a lot to like about this sun-loving flower.

Arizona Gardening: Dry air takes the life from houseplants

Sat, 03 May 2008 00:57:40 -0700

Q: What can I do to prevent or correct the brown edges of my houseplants?

Melons grown at home are far superior

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:07:16 -0700

Imagine a fruit whose seeds have been passed down through the ages from the hands of Pliny, Charlemagne, Marco Polo and Columbus. A plant so desired that it was mentioned in the Bible by Hebrews led by Moses and depicted on wall paintings discovered among volcanic ruins near Pompeii.

Arizona Gardening: Dilution can wash away pollution

Sat, 26 Apr 2008 04:21:47 -0700

My neighbors backwashed their pool and it flowed into my yard. The grass and several of my plants have died. What can I do remedy the soil contamination?

Plant of the week: Trixis

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:04:36 -0700

The plant: It's no surprise to learn that this cheery yellow-blooming perennial is a member of Asteraceae or the sunflower family. Trixis comes from the Greek word trixos meaning "three-fold," referring to the three-cleft outer corolla lip of the flower.

A once-novice rosarian puts her best blooms forward

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 18:12:46 -0700

There will be no mercy for Lynn Twitchell and her beloved roses this year. When the Gilbert resident arrives at the Mesa-East Valley Rose Society's 51st annual Rose & Arrangement show Nov. 17 , she will no longer be a novice.

Arizona Gardening: Ask questions before hiring lawn help

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:04:31 -0700

Q: What should I look for when hiring a lawn maintenance company? Do they fertilize my plants, fix irrigation emitters and heads? Are they true arborists, and can I trust them to properly trim and prune my shrubs and trees?

Arizona Gardening: Trees need winter fertilization

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:04:40 -0700

Q: What should my fertilizing and irrigation schedule be for my fruit trees during the cool season?

Scottsdale home includes space for roaming tortoise

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:04:45 -0700

Gil Gillenwater just returned from his annual trip hiking from the south rim of the Grand Canyon to the north rim, and his backpack and other gear are still strewn about the master bedroom of his Scottsdale home.

Preserve garden cuts for soups, pestos and vinegars

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:07:41 -0700

With the fall gardening season in full swing, gardeners will soon have an abundance of fresh herbs ready for harvest.

Owners create a backyard oasis fit for teens

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 18:33:28 -0700

When Matt Cody, president and founder of Cachet Homes, arrives home from a busy day at the office, he comes in through the back door.

Water wise: Now's the time to examine irrigation system

Fri, 12 Oct 2007 16:03:06 -0700

As we settle into fall gardening season, it's a good idea to check your irrigation system to make sure it's functioning properly and set up to deliver the right amount of water to your plants and trees.

Plant of the week: Trumpet creeper

Fri, 28 Sep 2007 16:48:16 -0700

Trumpet creeper has been called "rambunctious" and "a thug" by home gardeners far and wide, but we desert gardeners adore plants that survive and even thrive through our brutal summers.

Fall the right time to read up on landscaping

Thu, 20 Sep 2007 22:44:55 -0700

As the fall gardening season approaches, you may want to brush up on your planting and maintenance know-how or seek inspiration for your flower beds and landscaping.

When the weather cools, take the fun outdoors

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:42:38 -0700

Looking for an afternoon of family fun? Try your backyard. Yard games are a simple, exciting way to entertain. And when the weather starts to cool down, it's the perfect time to get outdoors and play.

Subtle illumination works best for landscapes

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 05:39:53 -0700

Less is always more in landscape lighting. Amped floodlights that blind your neighbors (and make your house visible from the sky) are out. Subtle illumination is in.

As temperatures drop, it's time to plant seeds

Sat, 01 Sep 2007 04:38:26 -0700

Fall is like a second spring for East Valley gardeners who look forward to planting vegetables, fruits and herbs as temperatures begin to cool.

Prevent headaches with a home inspection

Sat, 18 Aug 2007 04:20:39 -0700

I moved into my house about a year ago, and at the time my real estate agent suggested I have the home inspected again just before my one-year warranty expired.

Storage evolves to play changing roles

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 12:20:04 -0700

Multifunction is the name of the game in outdoor storage. A backyard shed can't be just a backyard shed. A storage chest should be strong enough (and elegant enough) to sit on.