August 28, 2009

Palm Springs style gardening

You know Maureen Gilmer—syndicated garden columnist, host of DIY network shows, landscape architect, garden designer, author of many books, brown hair and so tall?

Gilmer has a new book out, Palm Springs-style Gardening (Sunbelt Publications, Inc.) that channels the landscape styles of sexy Sinatra poolside gardens to the early Spanish-inspired ranchos to help any homeowner living in a hostile environment cope with the demands of desert gardening.

Hostile yes. Palm Springs has shell-laden sandy soil, extreme temperature fluctuations, wind and little water. What you know about gardening doesn’t apply here.

For example, did you know that if you water plants during mid-day that hot soils become even hotter? Me neither!

Good information for hot climate gardeners, extensive plant lists, and design ideas finish off the book.

whatever
South Coast Air Management District—High-polluting leaf blower and lawnmower exchanges underway. Get in, get the details.