Desert gardening is different from gardening everywhere else. The growing season is both harsh and long. That sounds like it would be a great thing, but it is too hot for most plants and so they die in the hostile climate.

The Desert soil is rocky and hard clay so that presents one problem and the lack of rain always presents difficulties for gardeners.

But there are some amazing plants that can and do thrive in the desert even with the dry hot environment . The fact that with winter gardening the milder temperatures make it the perfect growing environment. winter squash and other vegetables thrive in the desert from September through mid December.

Desert dwellers have become ingenious gardeners. They have learned to work with water gardens and raised gardening beds. These raised garden beds have allowed the soil to be amended and treated with fertilizer. By adding water fountains and water features like ponds the barrenness of the desert is offset by the sounds of the water moving in the garden. Adding in decorative features like windmills and whirligig as well as wind chimes make the garden sound welcoming even when they are being moved with warmer air. The sounds will pull you into the garden. Read on to learn more about each aspect of desert gardening.

Oleander
Purple Sage
Pampas Grass
Lantana
Orange Jubilee
Yellow Bells
Red Bird of Paradise
Bougainvillea

Fall is the perfect time for planting a vegetable garden. Squash and melons as well as corn and cucumbers all do well in the warm fall weather.

It is best if you have a raised bed for your vegetable garden. This can be acheived with mulch as the raising material.

• Hand Trowel

• Spade Fork

• Plug Aaerator

• Spike Aerator

• Cultivator

• Bulb Planter

• Hoes

Conservation is so important when it comes to landscaping in the desert. Water is so important and we can't afford to waste it.http://howtolandscapesite.info/desert_landscaping.html It is not just the water but the soil lacks the nutrients that would allow for easy gardening. Choosing the native plants that are already used to the harsh environment and the large amounts of sunshine they will receive is one of the main lessons in desert landscaping. It is also a plus that you will not have to purchase and use fertilizers and additional nutrients since they are specifically made to thrive here.

This does not mean that you can only grow cactus. In fact that is far from the truth. It simply means that you will need to do some homework on the green and lush plants that can and do thrive here.

Ponds in a desert landscape are both ideal and water efficient. You need to group plants that need the most water at the bottom or the deepest part of the pond for maximum efficiency. Plan on a run off area and a slope in your pond so that you will have that pool of water for the plants to draw from. This stops the daily watering of plants and allows the pond to feed and tend it's own needs. Remember to use the hardy plants that will be able to handle the heat of the area and you will be able to find those at a local nursery. Talking to the local nurseryman will be a great resource in building your pond. They will know what plants can thrive and resist the heat so that your pond can be surrounded by bushes, shrubs and plants that will give your back yard that oasis look and feel.

Bringing fire into the garden with a Kivas or a firepit is one way to extend the outdoor night life once the heat of the summer has ended. To locals having the outdoor room and the celebration of the end of the heat is a right of passage, Most gardens plan a fire element before they place their water feature or their garden beds. The fire is that important. It is important to know where your fireplace or Kivas will be placed so that they are not able to cause harm to the other parts of your garden or your furniture.

Always plan well and plan your placement carefully.