Get Potted in a Desert Cottage Garden

Desert Cottage Garden by Barbara Wirth

Do you like cottage gardens? Have you ever grown one? … in the desert? Cottage gardens are an informal design style with dense plantings using floral, foliage and even edible plants. I would not say it is my style – a little too wild and unorganized for me and my more linear brain. However, the…

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How to Change the Soil in your Pots

How to Know When to Change the Soil in your Pots  Warning! This is a long article. Take it slowly and try to absorb the process. If you have any questions, please email me right away! Before we start, let me make one clarification. We don’t use soil or dirt in pots. There are specialty…

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The Right Plant for the Right Place and Time

Summer container garden jumbo pots by the spotted Desert

How to Choose Flowers and Plants for your Desert Pots The biggest challenge for new and experienced gardeners alike is in the desert’s harsh climate and knowing what plants to use in your garden pots. You must select suitable plants for your climate in the right season for your specific situation. Duh – obviously, correct?…

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Winter Color for your Desert Container Garden

Pots with winter flowers in blues, white and yellow

Growing up in upstate New York, we had our fair share of snow. As a kid, I loved the snow –- sledding down the high school terraces, building snowmen. You know – typical childhood fun! I yearned for snow days off from school. We’d listen to the radio for school announcements and be disappointed when…

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Shades of Purple for your Winter Desert Pots

A Winter KISS Design for Full Sun in Your Desert Pots (KISS – Keep It Super Simple!) Plant this pot design from the back to front (as pictured) or start with the Osteos in the center for an all-around pot. Why I Love These Plants Osteospermums, Petunias, Pansies and Lobelia provide bold color for your…

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March in Your Potted Garden with Warnings!

Winter Violas Orange Calendula..The Potted Desert

March Diligence Will Pay Off 3 Reasons to Hold Off Planting Summer Flowers 1. It’s always too cold in March to plant summer flowers. In the next couple of weeks in desert communities, nights will be in the 40s, plus or minus 5 degrees, depending on your elevation and micro-climates. Summer annuals need a solid…

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April in your Desert Container Garden

Winter Violas in a Blue Pot by The Potted Desert

Happy Spring! Mature Winter Potted Gardens in a Desert Home In the above picture, two larger pots are thriving with winter color. The left pot (20″) has huge yellow “Rocket” Snapdragons, blue Lobelia, yellow Violas and white Candytuft. The right pot (24″) has a Foxtail Fern and is otherwise filled with red Geraniums. These cobalt…

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May in Your Desert Potted Garden

Summer pot that holds up all summer in the desert

Don’t Miss These Tips for May in your Desert Container Garden Prevent tipping pots in the wind An easy-care summer pot design Your May Checklist Rose Care in the heat Windy City – No, Not Chicago      Tips to safeguard your HOT Potted Garden  I love watching wind farms! There is something graceful and mesmerizing…

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