Happy October from Desert Rose! In this month's blog, we are going to tackle the very large subject of fences. Fences can be used for a wide variety of things, including defining certain areas, keeping animals out of gardens and yards, and most importantly, for privacy. Whenever a fence 6' and over is going up in Santa Fe (county or city) a permit is required, as well as a few inspections along the way. There are several different styles of fence which Desert Rose installs and the goal of this month’s blog is to provide insight into the different types of fencing materials that can be used. The most common and most cost-efficient type of fence is a dog ear picket fence. This is usually bough

Today we check out a backyard that had stacked moss rock flowerbeds full of weeds & grass as well as a raised flowerbed framed with railroad ties which was also overgrown with Russian Sage. Besides a few healthy pinion & ash trees, the rest of the yard was bare. Additionally, every time it would rain or snow, it would create a muddy mess! To get started, we removed the moss rock & weeds from the backyard. The flowerbed was then designed to overlap some of the railroad ties so that it blended nicely. Next, the outline of the landscape block was trenched & an irrigation line was run below the first level of block for easy irrigation access to the flowerbeds. Blocks were then stacked below grad

Q: What happens if I don’t cut my plants back in the winter? A: If plants aren't cut back in winter or early spring, it can provide bugs and diseases a place to hide and winter over. This can contribute to the spread of bugs and diseases to the new growth. Another thing you will notice is your yard will look a little bit messier as the old, dead growth will be present alongside the new growth and will prevent your plants from looking their best. This is particularly true for plants such as grasses, may night sage, daylilies, soapwort, and blue mist spireas. Don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions!

Blue Spruce Stonecrop Sedum reflexum 'Blue Spruce' Zone 3-11 Blue, succulent vegetation that resembles spruce branches add unique color and texture and provide a great groundcover in rock gardens. Plant in part to full sun and in well-drained soil. Water regularly until established. Low maintenance and easy to care for. A fast grower that can quickly spread 18". Blooms in early summer with small yellow flowers. Tolerates moderate droughts. Cut back once the succulent begins to droop over in late fall.

Q: Do I need an air compressor to blow out my irrigation system? A: It depends on what kind of tubing was used when your irrigation was installed. If PVC was used, it is highly recommended that you use an air compressor to blow out the water from the lines. Water inside of PVC during winter months usually results in costly repairs since PVC is rigid and tends to crack. When it cracks, it can shatter or cause hairline fractures for several feet; all of which will not be noticed until your irrigation is turned on in the spring. If polyethylene tubing was used, you don’t need to worry about blowing out the irrigation as long as you properly drain it. Polyethylene tubing has flex to it and can

Donkeytail Euphorbia myrsinites Zone 4-8 Also known as Myrtle Spurge, this grey-green succulent is either seen as a nuisance or prized for its beauty. Can reach 18" wide and 8" tall, quickly spreads through very viable seeds that form after flowering. Spiraling, flat foliage surround tender stems that if snapped ooze a milky, white fluid that can cause serious skin irritation. Deer and rabbit resistant. Thrives in poor soil and rough conditions. Yellow flowers emerge on the heads of each donkey tail. Once the yellow flowers are spent, the center of the spent flower turns red and begins producing seed. With gloves on cut off seeds to prevent plant from rapidly spreading. Blooms once in spring

Happy September from Desert Rose! In this month's blog we are going to go over the process of building a raised flowerbed against an existing wall. A raised bed creates an elevated focal point that can add height to your yard and place some of your favorite, smaller plants at or around eye level. Not only can this add some color to an otherwise empty space, it can also give your favorite plants a completely different look. However, before you start to build the flowerbed there are some things you need to take into account. The first thing you need to consider is what kind of moisture barrier you are going to put down to protect the stucco/wall. The soil will hold moisture against the wall an

Q: How thick of a layer of mulch should I apply? A: It depends on which kind of mulch you are going to use, but overall 2-4" is recommended for moisture retention and weed control.

Blue Glitter Sea Holly Eryngium planum 'Blue Glitter' Zone 4-9 With a flower that slightly resembles a strawberry that has spikey leaves surrounding it, this deep indigo plant will add intense color and texture to wherever it is placed. With minimal foliage on the plant, the abundant blooms distract from the exposed blue stems. Flowers appear in summer. Drought, deer and rabbit resistant. Attracts bees and butterflies. Flowers can be cut and dried and used in arrangements. Can reach 3' tall and 2' wide. Very hardy and thrives in poor conditions. Prefers well drained soil. Plant in full sun and water regularly the first year, but be careful to not over-water. No need to dead head. Hard prune

By far, the biggest benefit to hand watering is the very low up-front cost. There are no parts to buy, no failing components to worry about - just a hose, a faucet, and your time in the garden. Another huge advantage of hand watering is that while you are watering, you can look for signs of disease and pests on each plant. Powdery mildew, spider mites, aphids, and many more problems are much easier to treat when noticed early. The last advantage that hand watering has over an irrigation system is that you can easily adjust how much water an individual plant gets from day to day. If the plant is drooping due to heat, give it some extra water. If the plant is getting too much water, simply wat