Month: April 2021
Aloe, There!
April is Diversity Month–a time to recognize and celebrate the beauty of unique cultures, backgrounds and traditions. Today, we look at a plant used in numerous countries and cultures. It grows in several different areas of the Garden and, because it does well in so...
Sustainable Landscapes
Have you ever thought about creating a sustainable landscape? What is a sustainable landscape anyway? By definition according to American Society of Landscape Architects, “The design, construction and maintenance practices that meet the needs of the present without...
Calculating Your Carbon Footprint
Many of your daily household habits–energy use, transportation, waste disposal, etc., cause greenhouse gas emissions, which make up your carbon footprint. Explore this simple exercise to understand your carbon footprint and how to offset it. What Size is Your Home?A...
Summer-Sustainable Gardens
It’s only April, but sizzling temperatures are approaching quickly. Get your garden summer-ready with these April planting and preparation tips. Ocotillo Plant your ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). Ocotillo do best being planted from March through May; these are...
Diversity Through People and Plants
During Diversity Month, the Garden is sharing stories of people, their relationship with plants and the important role diversity plays for both. It may not seem so obvious to urban dwellers, but throughout history, people and the plants they live among have been...
Pining for Pineapple
Pineapples in the desert Arizona has many seasons that are perfect for fruit growing. You can often smell the blooming flowers from fruit trees that will soon become oranges and lemons. Some cactus fruits even look like a tiny pineapple. Bromeliads, tillandsia and...
A Disappearing Icon
Saguaros Under Threat No feature of the Sonoran Desert is more recognizable than the iconic saguaro cactus, soaring in height above all other species of cactus in Southwest West. Yet, these desert sentinels are under threat, due to a rapidly changing climate that is...
The Orange Home Presents: DIY Paper Towels
Tired of the cost, waste and effort of buying paper towels week after week? You’re not alone. Jessica Bui of The Orange Home shares her easy and delightfully sustainable guide to DIY reusable paper towels. Bonus: neutral tie-dye? Yes, please. Back to...
