DI-Wednesday: Citronella Candles

As much as I like gardening, it would be so much better if it weren't for the bug (especially the mosquitoes, who somehow manage to find me in the desert). Citronella candles seem more attractive than a smelly bug spray, but they've never been effective. Turns out that might be because the ones I've gotten don't actually contain citronella oils. Here's a great DIY to make sure you end up with the real thing from now on.

Monday Inspiration: Backyard Vignette

I just love this cozy backyard vignette--chairs, plants, a path--even a fountain, all in a small space!

Monday Inspiration: Sunset Garden

As you can imagine, I'm drooling over this western garden...it looks so lush and effortless--it must have taken a lot of work!

Great Idea: Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme looks like a great plant to give stepping stones a 'lived in' look, while adding fragrant breezes to the garden. I love the versatility as well--you could easily find it in a country or modern garden.

Tasty Tuesday: Fried Green Tomatoes

Even though I'm from the south, I've never actually had fried green tomatoes. But, our tomato plants are growing up a storm, and I've got to find some recipes to use them all up! This recipe is simple, and looks plenty tasty--can't wait to try it. Enjoy!

Great Site for Low Water Landscaping

The Joshua Basin Water District site is a real find if you're into a water-smart garden, and, like me, are landscape planning challenged. The site has five landscaping plans, complete with placement guides and a list of low water plants.

Monday Inspiration: Tiered Garden Stock Tanks

I love the mod-industrial look of stock tanks for gardening, but I'm ashamed to say I've never thought of this great idea for a tiered garden. The stock tanks have been cut to create overlapping circles and multi-layered planting beds. Genius!

Di-Wednesday: Creating a Garden Path

In my ever-present daydreaming on the perfect garden, I think of having circular pathways meandering around the backyard, giving me time to admire the kitchen garden, the citrus trees, and the variety of cacti. Here's a great and easy garden path DIY from Sunset--nothing too fancy or difficult, but with a spectacular result.

Making a Dog-Friendly Yard

I've got gardening on the brain, and there's no better focus for that than our roughed-up backyard--the main living space of our slightly destructive dog. I'd love to do something that we could all enjoy, and that could remain intact (for the most part) despite interference from our landscaper of a pup. Sunset has some great ideas for dog (and people) friendly spaces.

Monday Inspiration: Mid Century Modern Fence

I love the lines of this modern fence--we've been looking into extending the brick wall around our backyard, (adding about one foot to the top of it for more privacy) and mimicking the style of this fence is perfect for our ranch house. I'd also like to see if we might modify it as a gate or a shorter fence...we shall see!

Rock(s) and Roll!

Things are slow at the shop lately despite the fact that I'm on vacation--the reason: rocks. Big rocks, small rocks. The hubby and I decided that over our mutual holidays we would finally put rocks in the expanse of side-yard next to our house (living in Tucson, rock is what we typically use in lieu of grass--impossible to kill, and requires no water--it's the perfect lawn for me). This landscaping project seemed like a good idea at the time, but when that dump truck drove up and dumped 15 tons of gravel in our alley, I could practically sense the backaches that approached. Now, four days later, we're almost done with the entire thing--and I must admit that it looks pretty darn good. But, as predicted, my back sure does hurt.

In the spirit of sharing, if you should ever decide to xeriscape your yard, here are some tips:

1) Get rocks with jagged edges--yes, you probably won't want to walk on these barefoot, but when you do walk on them the squared edges will lock into each other--much easier to get around the yard. Smooth rocks can slide around and cause slippage.

2) Get the proper tools--a flat-edged shovel with a deep scoop will help you dig into the pile that lays before you. You will also need a wheelbarrow or cart. I suggest a four-wheeled cart like this one--it's much easier to maneuver. And lastly, a good rake is necessary--get one with a flat edge so you can flip the rake over and spread out the pile of rock with the flat end.

3) Get help--this is a big job--promise pizza and beer and get the gang over there--just remember to get extra shovels!

Monday Inspiration: Curb Appeal!

I've got gardening on the brain--in December, we're planning to use our holidays to spruce up our curb appeal, adding some rocks and borders, and hopefully building a small retaining wall and sprucing up the porch with new slate tiles and some paint. It won't look exactly like my inspiration photo, but I love the calming colors of the slate, the gray on the house, and the red door.

Finally, plants that can live with me!

With my aforementioned cats and dog, and my infamous "black thumb" (one of the reasons I love living in the desert--cacti are hard[er] to kill), I've had to forgo house plants in the past. I forget to water them, there's not enough light, and pretty soon that poor ficus is on that big wheelbarrow to the sky.

That's why I'm in love with this recent Etsy Find: Teeny Tiny Plant Terrariums from Tortoise Loves Donkey! Not only are they compact enough to fit comfortably on a windowsill--without the pesky vine hangover that has so attracted my curious cats in the past--but they also only need a misting of water every once and awhile. I'm so excited to be able to add some stylish and affordable green to my home!

Garden Dreaming on a Fall Day

I'm at home sick, dreaming of fresh air and gardening. Gardens have always been my decorating Achillies' heel, trying to balance the Mid Century style of my ranch house, with the water-conscious gardening of the desert, with the complication of some very old bushes and trees that I just don't have the heart to get rid of.

I went looking for images and found the one above, from Fine Gardening, and I love the clarity and simplicity of it. I also love this image of some Mid Century Modern front steps. If only I can combine these into something...I'm sure a eureka moment is coming soon!