The Gardeners Guide To Cactus Book Review
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In this post I share a book review featuring The Gardeners’ Guide to Cactus by Scott Calhoun.
In this post I share a book review featuring The Gardeners’ Guide to Cactus by Scott Calhoun.
In this post I hope to inspire you to get out and see the United States and share your experience. You will find images and a few travel tips for those heading to the southwest. Arizona When arriving in Arizona I was captivated by all the dessert plants and hardscaping. My first visit to the southwestern state known for the Grand Canyon I couldn’t believe how it really didn’t feel too hot. The temperature was in the high 80*’s but because it is so dry but comfortable. When you begin to move about you realize it is hot. This was a trip where layering of cotton clothing to protect skin and a good sun hat is a must. Other natural sites include Saguaro National Park, protecting the cactus-filled Sonoran Desert landscape. Tucson is the University of Arizona territory and home to the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. You can find the Arizona Extension Office information on my site. This is a great resource to find out how to garden or gardens to visit in the state. Images From My Trip in 2012 Images from my trip to Arizona for a Garden Writer Event where I was a guest with Corona Tools. I had the honor of working as their Ambassador promoting their latest tools. The images are featured on their website, publications, and social media campaign of the garden writers. These images are from my personal experience on my first trip to Arizona in 2012. I think my best photos were in the hotel and the landscaping when I was walking about by myself before heading off to the event to work. The below images are from the hotel in Arizona. The Westin La Paloma Tucson with fascinating landscape. Obviously, it was amazing because Id didn’t’ get any photos of my room! LOL I’d love to go back and get photos of the amazing sunset… someday hopefully soon in our RV. If you enjoy Arizona Gardening you may enjoy this book I have in my collection ‘ The Gardener’s Guide to Cactus by Scott Calhoun. Tour Images During the Symposium 2012 the Garden Writers would load up in buses and tour select private and public gardens. Below are a few of my favorite photos from this event. Fruit Trees in Arizona. I am so very mad I didn’t get the name of where we were and of course I didn’t have an iPhone at the time so no GEO TAGGING. However, I am very sure this is where I fell in love with the idea of having my own citrus trees in Ohio. On The Tour it was interesting to see how Arizona gardeners enjoy relaxing outside in their gardens… I am guessing not so much but their houseplants love it! See the images below – don’t you think they need some cushions or something on that chair? Maybe a snake would enjoy it too much. I told you… my best photos were at the hotel! It was a sign I work best freelance on my own capturing the world. WOW… can you imagine owning this in your landscape? I have a smaller version that will still poke ya in my Ohio garden. You can read more about it on my Prickly Pear Post. Reference for Future Trips Here are a few links I’ve been reading for my next trip to Arizona. I hope you will check them out and take some note for an adventure as well. The Desert Botanical Garden: Our work: You may not know that the cactus family is the fifth most endangered group of organisms identified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), but 23 scientists and conservationists are working hard to understand, protect and conserve these treasured lifeforms and the other desert plants that make our deserts unique. https://dbg.org/ Grand Canyon: https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm Let’s Connect Have you been to the great state of Arizona? In conclusion of this post I would love to hear from you so be sure to comment on the post. Share your thoughts and ideas about gardening in the west. In the near future I hope to travel back to the great state of Arizona to check out more gardens. If you could recommend any sights to see please connect with me. Happy Garden Travel,
In this post I share a fun purple kale with southwest flavor recipe. There are so many new varieties of vegetables on the market today. Purple kale can be found locally and you can even purchase the seeds to grow your own. Check out my growing tips and seed recommendations below. Purple Kale with Southwest Spin Recipe Fresh is best … always use fresh produce when creating a dish. That is why I recommend exploring new varieties you may only have access to when you grow your own. Do not limit yourself to basic kale. Many of the new varieties on the market have a smoother and richer flavor. Another option for this recipe is a purple or giant red mustard. If you use about 1/3 of a cup mixed with traditional greens you will never go back to basic green kale again. For this recipe you will need the following ingredients: purple kale romaine lettuce avocado slices garden fresh tomato slat and pepper to taste (optional) 1 cup of prepared quinoa / brown rice blend with southwest seasons sour cream (optional) vinaigrette Purple Kale with Southwest Quinoa Bowl Printable Recipe Don’t limit yourself to exact ingredients used in this recipe. I recommend a southwest flavored quina and rice mix. If you don’t have a mix handy just make your own by adding cumin, garlic and cilantro. If you do not have purple kale you can always use a little of the mustard greens I mentioned earlier. I hope you take advantage of the print option below. Recipe inspired by what I grow in the garden. Printable Recipe Card Purple Kale with Southwest Spin Recipe Ingredients 1 cup of clean and torn purple kale 1 cup of clean and torn red romaine 1 avocado sliced 2 fresh tomatoes sliced salt and pepper to taste 1 cup of prepared quinoa / brown rice blend with southwest seasons Instructions Prepare the quinoa and brown rice mix as direct. Add southwest season to the mix and let cool. Prepare veggies by washing and chopping. Mix greens in serving bowl topped with tomato slices, avocado slices. Adding quinoa mix on top Seasoned with cilantro and pepper topping. Squeeze fresh lime on top before serving. Let’s Connect Do you grow kale or use it in your recipes at home? I’d love to hear from you so leave a quick comment below. Be sure to bookmark my website so you don’t miss all the new recipes and gardening tips coming this month. Happy Gardening,
