I’m Sam! I grew up in the UK and now live in the desert Southwest of the USA. When I’m not indoors, I’m outdoors, and I try to be there as much as possible. Growing flowers is my greatest gardening passion, but I won’t say no to some raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, beans, or leafy greens.
I have a certificate in landscape design and have been gardening for over 15 years, from small home gardens to large formal gardens and kitchen gardens.
My current garden is quite small, so I’m experimenting with growing cactus from cuttings, as they’re particularly resilient to heat and aridity. Cactus fruit makes great syrup, too, though I have yet to produce my own.
I also have some tomatoes and peppers on the go this year as well as some amaranth and loofa ready to plant (2025).
A kitchen garden I helped to plant and maintain a few years ago as a volunteer.
Outside of gardening, you can find me hiking, snapping photos with film cameras (possibly repairing them), or undertaking a design project.
Fresh Eating, Preserving, and Planning for Small Spaces
We’ve covered a good number of considerations that you should make when planning what, when, and where to grow.
In this final article, we’ll explore ways to manage yields, store food and herbs, and offer tips for gardening in tight spaces. We’ll also discuss planting strategies, storage techniques, and ways to keep your harvest fresh longer, whether you’re in a small apartment, a large backyard, or somewhere in between.
Eating Fresh vs Storing It’s important to consider how you’ll use your harvest....
Succession Planting & Growing Season Strategies
“How much should I plant?” is just one of the many questions to ask when planning your garden. Another is “How can I best use my garden space?” This is what we’ll cover in this second article.
Many gardeners will plan one thing to grow in a row or an entire garden bed. However, with some careful planning, you can make use of the time before those plants go in and after you take them out....
Planning the Harvest – What to Plant and When
“How much should I plant?” is a natural question—and one with no universal answer. Your garden depends on what you like to eat, your climate, and how much time and space you have to tend it. But asking the question is the first step toward a rewarding harvest.
Let’s explore some thoughtful ways to decide what to plant, when to plant it, and how to shape your season around your needs....
Keeping Cool: Planning Shade for your Garden
All plants, bar a few specific exceptions, rely on sunlight for growth. Photosynthesis is when the chlorophyll in plants (the green pigment in leaves, stems, etc.) uses carbon dioxide from the air and water in the soil to produce sugars, which the plants use to grow.
But, just as you can get sunburned from too much exposure to the giant ball of gas in the sky, so can plants. Days with a high UV index and extended periods without clouds or rain can stress plants, causing sunscald, leaf burn, and dehydration....
Digging Down: Creating a Sunken Garden
Staying Hydrated Water is essential for plant growth. Too little water (or too much), and your plants won’t make it. In hot, arid climates, sunken beds are a preventative measure against warmer weather (catch the rhyme there?).
By sinking the bed below ground level, you take advantage of naturally cooler soil, improved moisture retention, and better wind protection. Sunken beds can be a game-changer for gardeners in dry regions, making it easier to keep plants thriving with less water....
Tips for Growing in the Southwestern US Desert
Thriving Where It’s Hot Gardening in the Southwest desert comes with unique challenges, but also the opportunity for near year-round gardening. With the right strategies, you can grow a thriving, productive garden, whatever the weather. By selecting heat-tolerant plants, optimizing shade and soil conditions, and managing water efficiently, you can harvest bumper crops of veg year after year.
When to Start The vibrant bloom of wildflowers marks the arrival of spring in the Southwest, the warm, sunny season in between the nippy winter and the scorching summer....
