Sam Liddicott

Soil problems can be difficult to diagnose. When plants struggle, it is not always obvious whether the problem is poor drainage, low organic matter, compaction, exhausted biology, or some combination of these. Most soil improvements fall under the broad category of soil amendments, but these amendments generally serve two very different purposes: conditioning and rejuvenation. Put simply, is your soil biologically active but physically unsuitable for plant growth? Is it structurally sound but biologically depleted?...

Gardens can be more than places to grow food and flowers, although these will always bring me joy. Many plants offer practical uses in cleaning, crafting, storing, and even building everyday household items. In this article, we’ll introduce five plants that are well-suited to home gardens, depending on climate, and how they can be processed into useful tools and materials. Luffa Luffa (also spelled loofah) is an annual vining gourd in the cucumber family....

It’s been a warm winter. I didn’t keep an exact count of the frosts, but there were only about half as many as last year, and though the rain started out good, it dropped off rather quickly, and we’re already below average for the year. Here’s hoping for a good monsoon season. As for what I’ve been up to, here’s a snapshot. I trimmed all the trees this winter. I’ve been working on my skills and trying to keep the trees more ‘full’ looking while still being safe and accessible for me and for the birds; there are a couple of nests this year....

Greywater is water that has already been used for something else in a residential or commercial setting. Bathtubs, showers, sinks, and washing machines are common sources of greywater. Reusing a portion of this water in the garden is a practical way to conserve freshwater resources and reduce overall household water consumption, especially in regions facing increasing water scarcity. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of greywater use in the garden, how to apply it safely, and key considerations to help you navigate what can be a complex but highly useful area of sustainable gardening....

Whether you’re in the arid Desert Southwest or in the temperate regions of Europe, summers can get hot, the rainfall a little more sporadic, and even the most tolerant plants can begin to struggle. Fortunately, there’s a simple, time-tested solution that’s making a comeback: ollas. Used for thousands of years, this low-tech method relies on unglazed terracotta pots buried in the soil to deliver water directly to plant roots. By creating a steady, subsurface source of moisture, ollas help regulate soil conditions, reduce evaporation, and discourage weed growth....

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is neither a true cactus nor a succulent, but a desert shrub with a distinctive, thorny silhouette and brilliant red flowers. It can drop its leaves during dry spells and quickly leaf out again after rain. Ocotillo is essential to hummingbirds, adored by bees, and used by many desert animals. The Ocotillo family is small, with just 11 species, and Fouquieria splendens is the most widely recognized. They are native to North and Central America, with a distant sister family in Madagascar....

Grasses are versatile plants that can be incorporated into your garden in dozens of ways. They come in a variety of colors, growth habits, and sizes. They’re a key part of many natural environments and are an excellent complement to vegetable gardens, patios, and those awkward spots where nothing quite fits. Additionally, there are thousands of grasses native to the major continents, meaning there’s a grass for just about everything....

There are hundreds of types of columnar cactus (Cereus, Pachycereus, Cephalocereus, etc.), ranging from the impressively tall and majestic Saguaro to smaller, cluster-growing San Pedro. These plants thrive in dry climates, need very little water, and reward growers with striking flowers. Columnar cacti are relatively simple to propagate, though the method can vary. In part 3 of this series, we’ll cover the ways to increase the number of columns in your garden and care for the parent plant after you’ve taken a cutting....

There are over 200 species of agave in this diverse genus of succulents. They are part of the asparagus family, and most are monocarpic, meaning they flower only once. Agaves bloom on tall stalks that resemble oversized asparagus spears, producing seeds and sometimes bulbils. Agaves are incredibly resilient plants and a staple in desert and xeriscape gardens. Their thick leaves, fibrous roots, and carbohydrate‑rich cores allow detached pups and bulbils to survive long periods with minimal water while they establish new roots....

Paddle cacti (genus Opuntia) are recognizable for their round-to-oval shaped segments, which are called cladodes, or pads, hence the name. They are incredibly resilient, drought-tolerant, and an important host plant for dozens of species, and a reliable source of fruit and nectar. They are also very easy to propagate, so let’s get into it. Clever Adaptations Paddle cacti grow in distinct segments that are designed to detach. Each pad is a self‑contained reservoir of water and stored energy, and the joint between pads is a natural break point....