Upcoming Special Events

2010-03-09T16:53:00.000-08:00

It's a busy spring and we've got three very special events planned. We hope you take advantage of all of them.

Special Event - Meal Tasting - Thursday, March 25, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. - We love sharing cool things with you, so we're excited to introduce The Gardener's Kitchen, a new local enterprise making healthy, delicious ready-to-bake meals. The Gardener's Kitchen creator Jordan Stejskal will be here sample two favorites - Stuffed Green Chilies and Veggie Lasagne Rolls. Come by on your way home or as you run errands and taste these great meals. Jordan will have her full menu available if you want to put a couple in your freezer. Home cooking never tasted so good or was so easy! Read more about The Gardener's Kitchen here.

Spring Veggie Plant Sale - April 10 a.m. to noon. Yeah! Gregory Ware from Dos Arbolitos nursery will be here selling his tasty vegetable and herb starts in the Southwest Gardener courtyard. These plants are grown organically in the Phoenix area so they are well acclimated to our desert climate. Pick up seedlings for your garden - don't miss out.

Special Event - Make 1,000 Cranes
To Benefit Phoenix Children's Hospital - April 17, All Day. Our goal: Fold 1,000 cranes in a day and raise money for PCH. The Origami Crane is a symbol of luck and many believe that if you make 1,000 cranes your wish will come true. This event honors Sadako Sasaki, a victim of leukemia after the WWII bombing of Hiroshima, and benefits Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Origami Master Brian Harrison will teach you to create Origami Cranes. Then, we invite you to fold as many as you can. Lessons will be scheduled in half-hour blocks. Let’s fold 1,000 cranes in one day! All the cranes will be strung together and displayed at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and the proceeds from your lesson will go to the PCH Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders. The workshop donation is $15, so call 279.9510 today to reserve a time slot. Bring friends, everyone is welcome!

Dazzling Wind Spinner

2010-02-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

We love the way this spinner makes us dizzy.

Two pinwheels that measure 23" in diameter and are separated by a 7" inch rod sit on top of a stake that stands 69" tall after you've planted it into the ground. When the wind blows the wheels spin and the effect is amazing. Encased ball bearings make the wheels go fast - whee!

Eight of these windy wonders just came into the shop, and they won't last long. Each is $99

Wiinter Veggies

2010-02-03T15:38:00.001-08:00

One of the joys of living in the Phoenix area is that we get to grow things here just about year round. Everything currently in the garden was grown from seed.

Here are a few snapshots from Amy's raised-bed garden. These were taken in mid-January.

As you can see, the Bright Lights Swiss chard is prolific. She tends to let it get a bit big before harvesting, but it's still yummy. You can use the chard in soups, saute it with some garlic, olive oil and a squirt of lemon, or fold it into some eggs and cream cheese for a yummy omelette.

There are also two DiCicco broccoli plants and a tangle of Cascadia snap peas. The broccoli is just now starting to form heads but the snap peas are about a week away from being harvested. Our guess is that she'll just munch through them before they even make it to the kitchen for a salad or stir-fry.

Just before the rain last week, a spring mix leaf lettuce was planted in front of the chard from seeds purchased at Greensgrow Farms in Philadelphia last summer. It's beginning to sprout and we're hoping the weather stays cool for most of February so we don't have a bolting problem.

What's growing at your place?

Rio Salado Habitat Clean-up

2010-01-20T10:33:00.000-08:00

Calling all volunteers!

Please join the good folks at Rio Salado Habitat for National River Clean Up on Saturday February 6th, from 8 a.m. until noon. Be part of the national effort to keep our waterways clean and healthy, and spend the morning helping to remove litter from the Salt River habitat. With 33 storm drains lining the project, there is lots of street litter. After spending the morning cleaning up, you'll never use plastic bags again!

Volunteers are needed (in groups or as an individual) to participate in this fun and rewarding day. Stay after the clean-up for a free pizza lunch as well as "unique trash contest" with prizes sponsored by REI. Light refreshments will also be served at 8 a.m. check-in. Pre-registration is required, so please e-mail Rebecca Smart at rebecca.smart@phoenix.gov 602-262-6863 if you'd like to help.

Date: Saturday, February 6th
Time: 8:00 a.m. registration and check-in (light refreshments served). 11:30 a.m. pizza lunch.
Where: Rio Salado Habitat - 7th Ave Trailhead (2801 S. 7th Avenue, Phoenix 85004).
What to bring: Work gloves and a reusable water bottle. Wear closed-toed shoes.

Great Gifts for Gardeners

2009-12-09T20:10:00.000-08:00

As we head into the final weeks before the holidays, we'd be remiss if we didn't suggest some of our favorite gardening tools as possible gifts for the gardeners in your life. We've used almost all of these and we love them. Everything here is available for purchase at the Southwest Gardener shop, 2809 N 15th Ave. Phoenix, AZ. Some are also available online. Just click on the image.

First on the list is the Circle Hoe. This little tool is perfect for weeding in rough, hard-t0-reach spots. It's lightweight and sharp.

Next, we love the Kitchen Compost Holder. This handy bucket holds several days worth of food scraps, tea bags and coffee grounds so you don't have to trudge out to the compost pile every night. It's tidy, fits inside a kitchen cabinet and the filter blocks odors.

Snip-its make deadheading and trimming flower stems a snap. Just pop them on to your thumb and index finger and you've turned your hands into razor-sharp scissors. Kitchen gardeners will use them to trim fresh herbs.

This handsome Copper Rain Gauge is an attractive way to measure rainfall. When water flows into the blue tube it floats up to show water accumulation. We know, we know, we live in a desert, but honestly, next to the heat all we talk about is rain. A great gift for dads.

Indoor plant enthusiasts will appreciate a Moisture Meter. This easy to use device helps determine the watering needs of potted plants.

You know what all gardeners appreciate? Gloves. They can never have enough. Our favorites are the West County gloves with their sturdy palms and velcro wrist closure. West County also makes a glove with long gauntlet sleeves that protect arms from thorny roses, trees and bushes.

Stacking joints are a thoughtful gift for anyone ready to build a raised garden. These eco-friendly joints are the corners for any shape garden bed and allow you to build a garden to your desired height. Just add the timber and fill in with soil.

If you're stumped, you can't go wrong with an
Adjustable Rake, an easy-to-use Composter, Plant Nannies and Ollas. Plant Nannies and Ollas have become customer favorites when it comes to watering systems. Or consider giving a gift certificate to one of our expert gardening classes. There are sessions on growing tomatoes, herbs and keeping chickens.

If you're trying to grow a young gardener, consider this child-sized kit with six tools, a watering can and a brightly colored bag to carry it all. You'll get lots of help and your child learns the pleasures of gardening with you. The perfect gift!

Call us with any questions 602.279.9510 or e-mail us at info@southwestgardener.com

Happy Holidays!

Dress Up Those Backyard Walls

2009-08-10T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here in Arizona, we don't have traditional wooden fences. We have six-foot high, concrete block walls that surround our backyards. These bright, solid barriers beg for some decoration, and homeowners have started to take heed. Many are painting those walls in vibrant shades of red or blue, allowing the plant life in front of them to literally "pop" into view. People are also decorating with mosaics and murals.

We think these three hand-crafted iron pieces make a unique statement on your block walls. The Yucca fits perfectly with our desert scenery, the Cattails piece is right at home in a landscape with a water feature, and the Daisies are just plain happy.

The pictures are small, but these iron pieces are an impressive size and built to last. They are on display now at the Southwest Gardener shop on 15th Ave. in Phoenix. The folks who make these pieces have also sent us some square shapes with beautiful leaf patterns - ginko, maple and vines. They would make a perfect niche piece or a nice trio when hung together.

Caring for Hummingbirds

2009-07-01T20:24:00.000-07:00

This is the time of year when those of us in the desert southwest need to pay particular attention to the hummingbirds. It's hot, really hot, so there's not a lot blooming that these wonderful creatures can eat. The Costa's and Anna's who live here all year need a bit of help from their human friends.

Food
Hummingbird nectar is the easiest thing in the world to make. You can also buy it, but here's a good recipe.

1 part sugar
4 parts water

Bring the sugar and water to a boil, just enough to dissolve the granules. Cool and store it in the refrigerator. It should last about two weeks. Never use honey or artificial sweeteners. Also, never use red food dye because it can hurt the birds.

If your birds don't lap up the nectar in a day or so, replace the food with a fresh supply, especially in hot weather, and wash the feeder with hot water every few days. If you see black spots in the feeder, it needs washing with hot water and mild soap that is easily rinsed out. Black spots mean mold and that can make your birds sick.

Our best advice is to start by filling your feeder only halfway to see how much the birds can eat in two to three days.

The Bee Dilemma

Some feeders seem to attract bees more than others - we're not sure which ones or why. We just know that occasionally we get a call asking how to get bees away from a feeder. The thing to remember is that bees and wasps like the same kind of nectar as hummingbirds.

If you find you have a bee problem it's probably because hummers lap the nectar, they don't suck, and in lapping a small amount of nectar ends up on the outside surface of the feeder near the ports. The best thing you can do is wipe off the feeder with a wet cloth. You can also try moving the feeder to a different spot in your yard. Rest assured, the birds will find it.

If and when ants become a problem, invest in an ant moat. A moat is a small, inexpensive vessel that's easily attached to most feeders. It goes between the feeder and the ant source - usually a tree - and the little pests can't get across.

Attracting hummers
Out here in the southwest we have hummingbirds all year round. There are two migratory - Black-chinned and Broad-tailed hummers - and two here all year - Anna's and Costa's. All you need to do to attract them is have some tubular shaped flowers in your yard - any color will do.

Shrubs such as (all common names) Arizona yellow bells, valentine bush, fairy duster and butterfly bush are favorites as are the flowers hollyhocks, penstemen, lantana, hibiscus and firecracker plant.

Hummingbirds are very territorial, so if you have two or three fighting over a feeder, put a second feeder across the yard. To entice them to a new feeder, pick a flower from one of your yard plants and insert it in one of the feeder holes. They'll find it quickly.

Now sit back, near the window of your cool, air conditioned home, and watch these energetic birds enjoy your hospitality. They will dart and buzz and fly backwards and forwards. It's quite a show. Next thing you know, you'll recognize them as your birds.

Tomato talk

2009-05-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

Amy's tomatoes are in growing strong and beginning to ripen. She got a bit overzealous, as you can see, and brought home more than she should from our spring tomato workshop. She also had one plant survive through last summer and into the winter. When it got nipped with a bit of frost she waiting until early spring and pruned it lightly. It, too, is bearing fruit.

She tried something different this year, adding a Garden Peach variety to her collection. This tomato is a native South American fruit mainly from Peru, where they are known as Coconas. (Thanks, Wikipedia for that bit of info.) The small, bright yellow fruit is the standard globe shape of a tomato. So far, her plant is prolific. It is similar to a peach in color and is supposed to have a mild, sweet flavor. The most interesting characteristic so far is that the skins are soft and fuzzy, like suede and the stems feel moist all the time.

As you can see, this is an overcrowded raised garden bed. There are 4 tomato plants, about 2 dozen zinnias (because you have to have color during a Phoenix summer!), a basil plant and 3 cucumber vines (started from seed) . She's hoping those cucumbers pollinate well. That has been a challenge in the past.

We'll keep you posted.

Pots in the Landscape

2009-04-01T15:43:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I was fortunate to join a friend on a tour of three exclusive gardens in the Phoenix area. Wow. They were all unique and they were wonderful. One was very contemporary in its design with all kinds of spiky plants and planting arrangements. Another was truly a personal arboreteum. The gardener is a plant collector and propagator and the collection was unrivaled. There was even a rainwater harvesting system. A third gardener had reclaimed some prime desert and the restoration was full of mature cactus, desert trees and shrubs with hundreds of wildflowers.

What I really wanted to share, though, is the use of pots in these landscapes. Pots are difficult in our climate yet all three properties had used them in imaginative, colorful ways. In some cases just as adornment, in others to complement a plant. Here are a few favorites. Enjoy!

Disposable Fly Trap

2009-03-02T15:47:00.000-08:00

We love the way the Rescue Disposable Fly Trap works to keep our yard continuously "fly free". Inside the trap there's a powdered mixture of safe ingredients that flies find attractive. You just pop open the trap, add water to the fill line and hang the trap bag from a tree. Within minutes flies are lured inside the trap, where they can't get out.

They key is to hang the trap about 20 feet from your outdoor eating areas because the food and smells flies find yummy aren't something you'd enjoy. Nevertheless, Rescue works great to clear a large area of flies for about a month at a time. When the trap is full you just toss it in the trash.

We've got one near the compost pile and the trash cans and it works great. We sit outside for weekend meals and in the late afternoons without having to swat away annoying flies. Rescue Disposable Fly Traps are available in the shop at Southwest Gardener.

Oh Ya!

2009-02-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

This may look like a plain old clay jar to you, but it's really an Olla (pronounced oi ya), an unglazed clay pot, buried among plants and filled periodically with water. This ancient watering system was brought to the Southwest by Spanish settlers and was adapted by Native American gardeners. Here's how an olla works: Water seeps through the clay, and plant roots grow around the urn, clasping the container to absorb its leaking moisture. The open end of the olla extends above ground so the urn can be refilled as water is absorbed. You can place a small rock in the neck of the ollas to avoid evaporation.

Olla irrigation virtually eliminates runoff and evaporation, allowing
the plant to absorb nearly 100 percent of the water. Modern systems, including drip irrigation, lose water to evaporation, and they tend to clog. Olla gardening also helps gardeners who can’t irrigate frequently because of water conservation ordinances or time constraints. We are happy to offer these for sale at Southwest Gardener. A big thanks to Donna at the Arizona Herb Association for connecting us to a terrific supplier.

Ollas will work in the ground, raised beds or in pots. Here are pictures of them being used in an urban garden setting.

Curtis W. Smith, an extension horticulture specialist at New Mexico State University makes these recommendations.

Choose low-water-use, non-woody herbaceous plants. Woody plants can break clay urns as their roots grow in diameter.
Match olla size, and shape to plants' water needs, root size and root distribution.
Cluster ollas and plants to maximize water-use efficiency.
Match olla diameters with the diameter of plant clusters. Use shallow, broad ollas, for clumps of grasses and annuals.

New Garden Gear

2009-01-22T15:19:00.000-08:00

We are very jazzed about some new products we've got in the shop.

The Goundhog is a rake like no other. It's got a C-Shaped head that catches all the debris that normally falls out of the sides of a standard rake. Then when you've got a pile of leaves or yard waste, you turn the rake over and scoop up the pile with it for a quick toss into your waste can. The shaft is made of durable fiberglass and the handle is cushy. We haven't found boxes big enough for shipping, so it's not on the website - yet. But, it is available in the shop.

Many of you have seen Earth Boxes on HGTV and have asked us to be a local supplier for them. They are now in stock at the shop and they are pretty cool - perfect for folks in apartments or townhouses with no space for a garden. Also perfect for people who just want to keep the garden on the patio. Earth Boxes are a self-contained, self-watering garden for veggies or flowers. They come with casters for easy moving, organic fertilizer and aeration screen. Users claim they double your yield and cut water use dramatically. That sounds like a good plan for us desert dwellers.

We love these new little Garden Scissors by the folks at Dramm. They have the most comfy, ergonomically correct handle we've seen on garden scissors along with a guide for your index finger so there's no slipping from a gloved hand. The blade is stainless steel. Best of all they come in a bunch of bright colors - so you don't loose them in the yard! This is the perfect tool for kitchen gardeners. You can order these from our website.

For all you Fox Farm fans, we're now carrying the Big Bloom Liquid Plant Food. This organic elixir of earthworm castings and bat guano is known for the large, multiple blooms it helps to promote on plants. Users say fruit is sweeter and blossoms more fragrant when they regularly apply this blend. It's available in the shop along with the Fox Farm Marine Cuisine, Vegetable & Fruit, and All-Purpose powder blends.

Call us at 602.279.9510 for questions about any of these goodies.

It's Planting Time!

2008-08-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

We're cheering because it is just about planting time here in the Sonoran desert and the 2009 seeds from Botanical Interests have arrived.

There are lots of new varieties and whenever possible we have ordered the Certified Organic variety. It all looks good but the Snap and Sugar Peas, Swiss Chard, Lettuces, Beets, Broccoli, Radishes and Bunching Onions are just begging to be planted. This is our long growing season so you'll will want to get started. For a full list of what to plant now, click here.

You'll also be happy to find you can now get Sweet Peas in a super-size package, so you can plant more. Wedding Blush is the variety - it is beautiful.

On the fertilizer front, we are bringing in the organic Fox Farm products. The Peace of Mind fertilizers are ph-balanced with premium ingredients such as feather meal, fish meal, bat guano and humic acid, which helps with seed germination.

Best of all, Fox Farm adds 20 species of beneficial microbes to help convert fertilizers into food that fights of plant diseases. The Tomato & Vegetable formula is easy to use, and provides gentle, slow-release feedings all season long. There's also a Marine Cuisine blend with good fine ocean-based ingredients like crab meal, shrimp meal, seabird guani and kelp. Try it on your most demanding houseplants, trees and shrubs. It's like a power bar for your plants.

The Perfect Composter

2008-07-01T14:16:00.000-07:00

We love this composter. It's a GeoBin and Amy's been using a version of it for about six years. It has held up well and makes plenty of good, rich compost that she adds to her raised bed vegetable garden every year. Lots of folks are home gardening now and it seems like everyone is asking about composters.

We love the GeoBin so much we want to share it with you. So we are offering a special introductory price on GeoBins ordered from Southwest Gardener by August 30, 2008. Our plan is to place a special order for a pallet of GeoBins to be delivered in early September. If you order and place a 50 percent deposit on a GeoBin by Aug. 10, you'll save 20 percent off the retail price of the composter, which is normally $42. Your cost for an early-order GeoBin is $33.60 plus sales tax if you live in Arizona. If you decide you'd like a Compost Crank with your GeoBin we are happy to offer you the compost crank for 15% off when you order your GeoBin.

Call us today at 602.279-9510 to order.

Little Man Loves Spring

2008-04-03T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lynn's favorite piece of garden art , Little Man, stands tall among her Bachelor Buttons, Bells of Ireland, Nicotiana and Nasturtiums. Little Man was brought to the U.S. by an acquaintance who visits artisans in Vietnam and returns with fun, funky work he's collected there. We often offer the work at Southwest Gardener.

Wild About Lupine

2008-02-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

Some years we hit the wildflower jackpot, and this year is a true winner. Here's what happens when the desert gets steady winter rains, mild temperatures and a bit of luck (always luck with gardening). These Arroyo Lupine - Lupinus Succulentus - were scattered as seed in mid-October in Amy's central Phoenix backyard. The seeds were watered about every 10 days until mid-November and have been totally ignored until now. This stunning display is 3 weeks old on March 12. What you can't see is that the Lupine extend around the right side of the red Eremophila Bush (commonly known as Valentine). BTW, the Valentine is a wonderful landscape plant - cold hardy, an early spring bloomer and its dark green leaves offer an unusual contrast with the other arid-adapted plants. Plus, hummingbirds love it.

Here's some info on Arroyo Lupine, courtesy of Wildseed Farms: "This plant is a hardy annual native to California and the western U.S. The amount of fertility and moisture generally dictates the height of the plant. Flowers are concentrated on an upright spike with rich purple blossoms." Best of all, this seed prefers most clay or heavy soils in full sun.

A big thanks goes to my friend Maggie Cobb for generously collecting and sharing her Lupine seeds. Maggie collects seed pods each year in big paper bags and then listens as the pods pop open inside the bag. It sounds just like popcorn.

In Phoenix these seeds are best planted in the fall and we always carry them at Southwest Gardener.

New Treasures for Spring

2008-02-04T14:25:00.001-08:00

We just got back from a major market. Shopping is hard work (stop snickering), but we try to have fun, especially when it comes to new discoveries. While we admire everything we buy, we each tend to have our favorites. Here are some things that are in the store now or will be here soon. E-mail us at info@southwestgardener.com or call the store toll free at 877-315-9301 if we can answer any questions.

Recycled critters: Lynn says these are her favorite new garden art. A variety of animals are constructed from re-used, colorful and rusty metal. There are roosters and rabbits, pigs and goats, coyotes and roadrunners. We are sure you have never seen anything like these.

Happy Glass: For Amy, it is all about bling - she loves the way glass looks in a garden. We were lucky to meet a glass-blowing couple from Iowa who make what we call "squiggles" that go on a stake. They are colorful, curvy pieces of glass that will look great in among slipper plant or tall grasses.

Spring Bags: You will flip for our gorgeous bags made of reinforced silk and adorned with flowers. These treasures come in an assortment of colors and shapes - there are big totes and small totes, backpacks and small sling bags to hold just a credit card, lipstick and cell phone - perfect for a night on the town. There are also matching silk jewelry boxes which would make great Valentine's or Mother's Day gifts. You just have to see them all to choose!

Skeeter Screen: This natural fragrance formula reed diffuser is an easy, effective and safe way to deter mosquitoes. You just slip the reeds into the bottle provided, then the oils are naturally absorbed by the reeds and released into your outdoor environment. Or, if you prefer a repellent you can take camping or to the beach, use the Croclight Candle in a tin. Both are citronella free.

Ceramic Tiles: These irresistible red ceramic wall tiles will hang indoors or out. The botanical relief designs stand out on these highly glazed 10 x 10-inch tiles. Hang one or use multiples in a grid for a "wow" effect.

Candleholders: Come see the variety of wall, tabletop and free-standing candleholders for your home and patio space. We also found the prettiest ceramic candle luminaries with lids that stand 15 inches tall. They all make quite a statement.

Farm Market Bags: We know many of you regularly frequent farm markets (we love seeing you there) so we got these charming canvas bags to help carry that load of local fresh food. Choose from three motifs: A farm basket of groceries, a big head of lettuce or a classic blue bike.

Glass Hummer Feeders: Our glass-blowing artist friends also made us some stunning hand blown feeders for hummingbirds. The design is terrific because they have put a tiny ball bearing in the feeder spout to help stop dripping. Smart thinking!

Plant Nannies: These self-watering systems are the perfect tool for those of you with houseplants or who travel a lot. Set the terra cotta reservoir in soil then fill the top with water. As the soil dries, water is released deep in the root. Here is the fun part. Plant Nannies come in three styles and sizes - one lets you use a plastic soda or water bottle as the top, another comes with a pretty glass ball water holder and the third is set up to hold a recycled glass wine bottle. What a perfect hostess gift, a bottle of wine and a Plant Nanny for her garden!

OXO Garden Tools: We love OXO tools in the kitchen and the garden line has proven to be just as sturdy and economical. This year there is an adjustable hand rake for those really hard to reach places in your landscape. The houseplant tool kit comes with everything you need - snips, trowel, cultivator, scoop and saw-tooth transplanter that all fit neatly into a handy carrying case. OXO also makes a comfy pair of bypass shears and floral scissors.

Terrific Toys: This is the perfect time to be outdoors so we gathered in a few of our favorite playthings for children. Pocket Kites are great for a day in the park or on the beach. Bouncy Balls are cheerful and fun to follow. Or introduce your youngster to an old-fashioned jump rope.

Hose Nozzles: Lynn found these really nice spray hose nozzles late last year and customers love them. One is a standard trigger spray nozzle, one offers a wide fan spray and the third is a watering wand that allows you to stop water flow when you need it.

A Great Plant Guide

2007-11-26T13:22:00.000-08:00

As planting season nears remember to pick up a copy of Kirti Mathura's book "Arizona Low Desert Flower Gardener." This gem is a great planning tool for all areas of your garden. It will help you with the challenges of finding just the right plant for your available space. Its unique layout and easy-to-see illustrations let you visually mix and match plants to find the texture and color you need.

We try to always have "Arizona Low Desert Flower Gardener" on hand at the shop. You may want to pick up a few copies because this you'll want one as a reference tool and at least another for your favorite gardener.

We've Got a New Look!

2007-09-09T15:25:00.000-07:00

After 9 years we decided to close for the month of August to do a little patching and painting, and the results are fantastic. We were also able to expand so the store now faces into the courtyard of our quaint building. Here's a picture of the outside and one of the inside as you first enter. Isn't it great?

The inside is wonderful, too. The space is colorful, light and airy, and our customers are raving about how easy it is to see all the new treasures. We attended a show this summer featuring hand-made in the U.S.A. pieces and the new artwork is stunning.

We just re-opened this week and we're looking forward to seeing you all soon!

Platters make great gifts

2007-07-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

It's the dead of summer but lots of folks have stopped in for wedding or commitment gifts and nice things to take friends and relatives you are visiting while escaping the heat.

One popular item is the desert platter handmade by local artist Jim Sudal. These stunning pieces are thrown from red clay and then glazed in one of three patterns: an agave, aloe or prickly pear. The color and texture is beautiful. They look great hanging on a wall or sitting in a plate stand and come in three sizes. Jim lives just down the street in Scottsdale and works his magic from his home studio.

Another option has been the Southwest-styled doorbells in bright red and green hues. The designs include saguaro cactus, quails, kokopelli, chili pepper or just nice hand-glazed tiles. We carry house numbers that match the doorbells at the store.

Mosquito control is vital

2007-04-10T10:27:00.000-07:00

Springtime is great. Flowers are blooming, breezes are light and the night time temperatures make you want to sleep with the windows open. The only downside I can think of are the mosquitoes. This is their breeding season and with them comes the possibility of a serious illness - West Nile Virus. Stagnant water, dead birds and green pools are all breeding sites for the mosquitoes that carry the virus. In Maricopa County, fogging takes place to control mosquitoes but only in those places where their activity is heaviest.

The easiest way to avoid West Nile Virus is to avoid getting mosquito bites. Here are a few simple steps you can take.

1. Wear mosquito repellent when you are outside. Also put on long-sleeved shirts and long pants.

2. Eliminate mosquito breeding grounds in and around your yard. That means make sure your birdbath water is changed daily, that there aren't any saucers of standing water under your potting bench or plants, and that your pool or pond is properly maintained.

3. Check your screens on windows and doors for holes and get them repaired.

At Southwest Gardener we've found Mosquito Dunks to be a very safe, effective biological control for mosquitoes. Each dunk kills mosquito larve for up to 30 days. The dunks are safe for use in fish habitats, flower pot saucers, bird baths, rain barrels, roof gutters and animal watering troughs. The dunks can also be broken into pieces for use in smaller water areas. They cost $6.50 for a package of two.

About one in 150 people infected with West Nile Virus will develop serious illness, so it's not something to ignore, but with a couple of simple steps you can go a long way to protecting yourself and your family.

For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/wnv_factsheet.htm

Big, beautiful roses

2007-04-03T15:31:00.000-07:00

Hey rose lovers. Make sure you drive past the Valley Garden Center on 15th Ave. and Palm Lane this month. The roses are in full bloom and they are gorgeous. I'm not an experienced rose gardener, but I'm always amazed at the size and color of the varieties they grow at the Center. The rose garden is located two blocks north of McDowell Road in central Phoenix.

Our favorite things

2007-02-23T17:42:00.000-08:00

Our buying experiences this winter have been great and we have things we don't think you will see anywhere else.
Serene Fountains - Add water to an environment, and a natural sense of peace seems to arrive. Our new ceramic jar fountains are glazed in soft colors and adorned with leaves, lotus pads, and simple abstract designs. The larger models are perfect for an outdoor setting or a birdbath. The small fountains offer a soothing experience.
Birdbaths and pots - A birdbath is a simple way to attract wildlife to your garden. Our new U.S.-made ceramic birdbaths are eye-catching with their stunning relief designs of hummingbirds, lavender and yellow finches. The soft glazes enhance the bases and there are even pots to match.
T. Stone bells - Terry makes these clay bells and they continue to be a popular gift item. These bells are made from clay dug right here in Arizona and we have four distinct styles.
Bird stakes - Add some colorful birds to your garden this spring with these pretty plant stakes. Look for chipper robins, goldfinches and cardinals.
Wall decor - So many of you ask about ways to decorate your block walls that we are always on the lookout for interesting iron wall pieces. Come in and see our selection of trellises and beautiful iron wall medallions, metal palm fronds and clusters of metal flowers.
Outdoor carpets - Rugs for outdoor spaces is probably the hottest outdoor trend right now and we have found a nice line. Made of recycled polypropylene, they are incredibly durable and easy to clean. You can just hose them off. Better yet, they have a UV protectant to help them resist our desert sun. There is one on the store on display.
Do-it-yourself kits - Cool kits from the people at Poetry Stone let you make your own stepping stones, garden plant markers and really cool stone face kits. You can fashion a Greek god or a serene Buddha that could adorn a pot or be used as bookends or even a wall hanging.
Helmut critters - These eye-catching ladybugs and turtles are made from recycled military helmets with their dents and all!
Rock Solid Love - A big, beautiful iron heart with a smooth river rock at is center. Nothing conveys love so simply. This freestanding sculpture is available in two sizes.
Colorful cactus - By the time you read this our friend Sergio will have delivered a new shipment of his colorful metal cactus and flower sculptures. The best part is they have no spines!

Goods for the garden

2007-02-23T17:38:00.000-08:00

Books - Four books from Sunset have great ideas, plans and pictures to inspire your gardening. Water Gardens covers just that, ponds and pot water gardens; Landscaping with Stone looks at paths, walls and rock gardens; Container Gardening offers ideas for striking arrangements; and the Western Landscaping book offers how-to advice on everything from structures to plants to artful decoration.
Hummer info - A new book out from the Western National Parks Association called Hummingbirds answers all your questions about these magnificent birds. It is filled with colorful pictures but our favorite feature is the illustrations of how these tiny birds fly. Very cool
Atlas nitrile gloves - These tough, breathable gloves were first recommended to us by Master Gardener extraordinaire Pam Perry. They are lightweight, durable and fit like a second skin. We promise.
Radius tools - Oh, oh, oh, you are going to flip over this new line of tools. Radius tools are truly ergonomically designed to maximize your grip and reduce stress on your wrists and hands. They are easy to hold and lightweight but they are durable. Come grab one and see for yourself. We have cultivators and a long-handled transplanter.
Adjustable hats - We added Sloggers hats to our extensive lineup of head and face protection. They are nice, light cotton and are adjustable. Best of all they offer UPS sun protection of 50.
Garden clogs - Check out the adorable garden clogs with the cutout flower pattern on the vamp. They also just happen to match the Sloggers hats. These flexible shoes also have a great sole grip to avoid slips and are available in red, blue and bright green.
Pharm Solutions - This insecticidal soap is now certified as 100 percent organic so you can rid your plants of thrips, whiteflies, aphids and other pests safely and effectively. All ingredients are pure and natural.

Web Special Interest Items!

2007-01-25T19:54:00.000-08:00

Friendship Bell - This bell rings with the joy and laughter of friendship, and like an outstretched hand it offers the peace and safety of a trusted relationship. This cast bronze piece lets friends know that all are welcome in your home. A wonderful wedding or commitment gift.
Great Gnomes – This is a true Gardener’s Gnome, even better looking than the ones Amy saw on her trip to Germany. He’s made of cast Aluminum and stands 13 inches tall. His buddy, the Farm Gnome, stands a bit taller at 14 inches high. Each prefers to be outdoors, tending a garden and we bet you have the perfect spot.
Mosaic Garden Bench – This iron dragonfly bench adds whimsy and color to any garden setting. The seat has a lily pond pattern while brightly patterned dragonflies dance on the backrest. Best of all, it’s comfortable for sitting. Hooray.
Here Kitty, Kitty – Meet Boo the Birdwatcher, Felicity the Flowery Feline and Patty Fat Cat. Each is cast in durable stone with an antique gray finish that works well indoors or outside. And they each come with their own distinct personality – just like the real thing! Add link.
Garden Incense – A best-selling item on our website, heavenly sticks of outdoor incense by Votivo come in scents that are almost better than nature. Whiff of Fuji Apple or Pear will have you thinking you’re walking through an orchard.
Desert Platters - Artist Jim Sudal’s ceramics truly reflect the spirit of the Southwest. Each of his platters is hand-thrown so no two pieces are exactly alike. Clay and glazes are non-toxic and completely food and plant safe. There are tree great designs: Agave, Aloe and Prickly Pear.
Just for You! - It’s no secret dry air is tough on your skin. Ranch Hand Cream is a solid balm that does wonders to soothe dry, cracked hands and feet. Plus, your cuticles, elbows and knees will thank you. Trail Boss Bar does the same with the added benefit of arnica and St. John’s Wort to ease pains and bruises. All-natural ingredients melt right into your skin.
Weather wondering – Here in the desert we all seem obsessed with the temperature (which is kinda strange given that it’s usually either oppressively hot or just plain nice.) To get an accurate reading on outside temps from inside your home any time of the year, try our great mosaic thermometer recently featured in Phoenix Home & Garden magazine.
Buddha – There’s a bold new Buddha in town and he’s sitting here at Southwest Gardener. He’s a bright, happy fixture in the store, plus we think he’s cute. We like his countenance and hope you do, too. Add link.
St. Francis – Our beautiful St. Francis continues to outsell any other statuary. He’s a true delight in any setting. Originally carved from wood this handsome version is cast in stone resin to withstand the elements. He’s great in a garden or a home and stands 25 inches tall.

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