Sam Liddicott

Rhubarb is a hardy perennial. It’s easy to plant, care for, and harvest. With so many varieties out there, it can be overwhelming to pick the right one, and then choose a good place to plant it. In the first part of this series, we’ll discuss popular varieties and go over how best to plant rhubarb. Popular Varieties There are dozens of rhubarb cultivars, each created for different reasons. Some grow more quickly, others are sweeter, and some are suited to more challenging environments....

Deserts are notoriously harsh environments. Hot and dry (excluding Antarctica), with low rainfall, desert soils are challenging for most plants and take years to naturally build fertility. Deserts are found on multiple continents, from Australia to the Desert Southwest in the USA. Compost is an excellent soil amendment and a powerful way to enrich impoverished soil. But as compost requires moisture and plenty of organisms, is it possible in the desert?...

Trees are wonderful. They provide shade, structure, habitat, and beauty to a garden. But if you’ve planted a tree in your yard, it may not be in its natural or preferred environment. Supporting its growth means helping recreate those natural conditions wherever possible. While trees get around 90% of their mass from carbon in the air, the remaining 10% from the soil is equally vital. So, how can you mimic that natural nutrient cycle and the accumulation of organic matter on the ground at home?...

If you live anywhere with deciduous trees, then you have the key ingredient for one of the best natural soil supplements—leaf mold. This organic material improves soil structure, boosts moisture retention, and supports beneficial soil organisms, making it an essential addition to any garden. In this article, we’ll run through the simple process and break down (pun intended) some of the science behind it. What is Leaf Mold? Despite its name, leaf mold isn’t slimy, smelly, or unpleasant....

We’re finally seeing a slow temperature decline in the Desert Southwest, which is wonderful. We’ve passed our yearly highs, and although it wasn’t nearly as hot as last year (thankfully), July and August brought far less rain, leaving us below average for the monsoon storms. Below-average years are inevitable, of course, but it’s still disappointing. That said, a wet winter is predicted, which is wonderful. Here’s a brief look at what’s happening in my garden right now....

Plants love to grow; it’s what they do. However, sometimes conditions are less than ideal. Fertilizers help to optimize plant growth by maximizing the growing conditions and helping them to stave off pests and diseases. In this article, we’ll go through some easy at-home fertilizers you can make that are more environmentally friendly than most commercial options and can be more affordable, too. What Do Fertilizers Do? Fertilizers are food for plants: they provide nutrients for them to grow and thrive....

Bees are among the most essential—and most overlooked—insects in our ecosystems. With thousands of native species worldwide, they pollinate around 80% of the world’s flowering plants. Unlike honeybees, which were introduced in many places, native bees evolved alongside local plants and are often even better suited to pollinate them. In this article, we’ll go over some of the key issues they’re facing, how your garden can help them to thrive, and what they’ll do for you in return....

It’s been a dry year for the Southwest so far, though things are looking up with a fairly active monsoon season underway. I’ve been helping my garden adjust to the heat, use water more sustainably, and provide better habitat for local wildlife. I’ve lost some plants, but plenty have still thrived. Here’s a look at what I’ve been doing in my Sonoran Desert, zone 9a garden. Some plains coreopsis winning against the heat....

We’ve all envisioned the perfect garden—neatly trimmed beds, clean lines, and not a leaf out of place. Perhaps you’ve admired the stunning show gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show, with their carefully curated designs and lush plantings (I have). These spaces are beautiful and attract a diverse range of wildlife. But step into a wild woodland, meadow, or desert wash, and you’ll notice something different: there’s litter. Twigs, seed pods, spent blooms, and fallen leaves carpet the ground....

Using Woody Cuttings for Plant Trellis Many plants — beans, tomatoes, peas, and more — grow best with support. Trellises and supports can add up in cost, and it’s not always easy to find the right one. Here we’ll run through some tips and ideas for using woody plant cuttings (and plants themselves) as growing supports. If you don’t have any trees or shrubs in your garden, consider asking a neighbour or friend....