Tag: gardening
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Growing Winter Greens in Chilly Southern Arizona
Make the Most of Mild Winters for Bountiful Greens—and a Splash of Color Winter Gardening in Arizona For most gardeners throughout North America, winter marks the season to put away trowels and seed packets as gardens succumb to snow and freezing temperatures. In much of the continent, winter gardening means indoor seed starting at best,…
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The Miracle of the Prickly Pear
A Sonoran Desert Treasure In the heart of the Sonoran Desert, one plant stands out not just for its resilience, but for its beauty, utility, and cultural significance: the prickly pear cactus. With paddle-shaped pads and jewel-toned fruit known as tunas, this desert native is more than just a pretty plant it’s a powerhouse of…
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Sun Position and Its Impact on Gardening in Southern Arizona
Understanding Seasonal Sun Cycles for Healthier Desert Gardens The Sun’s Role in Southern Arizona Gardening Gardening in Arizona is a rewarding challenge, shaped by the intense and ever-changing sun. If you’ve ever wondered why your plants thrive in one season and struggle in another, the answer often lies above: in the sun’s seasonal patterns and…
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Welcoming Fall in Arizona: A Personal Guide from Austin at Garden Social
Embracing Autumn’s Rewards with Family, Community, and a Love for Local Plants Hey there! I’m Austin — a proud Arizona native, father of three wild and wonderful kids, Horticulture in the Sonoran Desert blog writer, and the owner of Garden Social Nursery and Garden Center. My journey into horticulture started as a little boy exploring…
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Monsoon Season – The Sonoran Desert Gardener’s Blessing From Above
Strategies for thriving gardens in a climate of dramatic change By Austin Lynn, Garden Social AZ LLC Gardening in the Sonoran Desert is a practice shaped by extremes: relentless sun, scant rainfall, and unpredictable bursts of sudden, life-giving storms. Each summer, monsoon season arrives, transforming the landscape—and presenting both opportunities and challenges for gardeners determined…
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Unexpected Benefits of Haboobs for Garden Plants and Soil
How Sonoran Dust Storms Can Nurture Green Spaces By Austin Lynn, Garden Social AZ LLC When we think of haboobs—those impressive, towering walls of dust that race across arid landscapes—we often imagine chaos, grit, and damage. Yet, beneath their dramatic appearance, haboobs can offer surprising benefits for garden plants and soil, weaving a story where…
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Berms for Better Watering
Learn how simple berms, raised soil rings around your trees and shrubs, can maximize water retention, encourage deep root growth, and protect your landscape during extreme heat. By Cyrus Jones, Chief Operations Officer Garden Social Community Impact With temperatures consistently climbing well above 110°F in southern Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, our landscape and garden plants need…