This episode about gardening in the desert southwest came about thanks to many viewers requesting we cover such a topic on our show. While we do travel the country to share how people garden in all different areas, we had never dedicated an episode to the challenges and unique growing conditions of the desert southwest.
One of the many stunning views at the Desert Botanical Garden
As this episode makes clear, gardening in the desert southwest isn’t difficult. It’s just different. You almost have to unlearn what you know about gardening as it relates to timing and understand that here in the desert, Mother Nature is on a different schedule.
And like nearly all places we visit, working with the existing soil while continuing to improve it with the proper amendments goes a long way to gardening success here.
Special thanks to Brian Kissinger, Director of Horticulture at the Desert Botanical Garden. He allowed us behind the scenes into his private garden oasis, affectionately known as Casa Encantada. Ironically, we learned about his garden after our first trip to Phoenix. After seeing pictures of his amazing garden and landscape, we made a return trip specifically to include this segment in the show. It’s a real life application of just how beautiful and lush a desert garden can be when using the proper plant choices and paying attention to where they’re sited in the landscape.
Links to places and topics covered in this episode:
We have watched this show over again a number of times—more than any other. I especially love Brian Kissinger’s own garden and I’d really like to find out more about it. Has he or anyone else written it up in greater detail for any publications?
Thank you so much for doing this show. We’ve visited the Desert Botanical Garden several years ago and would like to return. That and Mr. Kissinger’s garden were definitely the highlights for us in this show.
Hi Mike. So glad you enjoyed that show. I don’t know what may exist about Brian Kissinger’s personal garden that has been made public. I hope you will reach out to the Desert Botanical Garden and ask if he has any more information that is available. It really is spectacular.
Beautiful show, thank you Joe
Thank you Carl. Glad you enjoyed the show. Have a great fall in the garden.
Former Tucsonan here as well, so I was really glad to see the attention you gave to the southwest and sonoran desert on this episode. What was the name of the gentleman who was raising organic foods in his yard? I really enjoyed his talk.
David,
The man you asked about is Ken Singh. He really has great tips about the soil and how important it
is for growing crops. This is true no matter where you garden.
What is that red yellow orange calla lily plant. It was spectacular! Is it hard to find in a nursery? I love your show, I stumbled on it this past winter and have it set to record every episode. I live in NYC but garden 3 weeks at a house on Cape Cod and really enjoy it. I wish I could do it everyday, and admit I’m a little jealous of all of you for having your own garden! Some day …
George, I’m not sure which plant you are talking about, the red/yellow looked like a sculpture and I don’t recall any orange/yellow plant they talked about. If you are really looking for a red/yellow Calla lily, here is a link for a source. They carry lots of great plants.
https://www.highcountrygardens.com/flower-bulbs/calla-lily-bulbs/calla-lily-flame
Thanks for watching!
Happy gardening.
Yes ! Been trying to find a plant like the one in the video that’s tall, thin & red, yellow orange colors. Is it a sculpture or plant? Cannot find any cactus or succulent, tall or short that looks like that. It’s beautiful w/ the sun behind it.
It’s 2:32 mins into the video including the 2 commercials at the beginning. I did a screen shot. There’s a white house behind it & 2 large cactus & (date palm?) to the left of the it. Beautiful.
Ali, I think the plant you are talking about is a sculpture. No watering required and year around color! Thanks for watching.
Thank you, Joe. It was driving us crazy trying to find a succulent like that ! I thought it might be a sculpture. Disappointed that it’s not a plant tho. We would’ve been the only Texans w/ one !!
thanx Jo the web site is great! I will be using it
What is the music in this episode, especially during the Agritopia segment. Thanks.
Hi Larry. That is Tony Anderson I believe. If you search for him on Spotify or your favorite music player you should find him. He has many great scores with a similar sound.
Hello. Thank you very much for your shows, I look forward to watching them every week on pbs here in Kansas city.
You touched upon water irrigation in this episode (806 – Gardening in the Desert Southwest). Can I ask what brand of irrigation system you were showing on this episode?
Thanks again for a great show and your invite on gardening.
Thomas
Hi Thomas. Thanks for your comments and glad you enjoy the shows. The brand of irrigation product demonstrated in the show was Rain Bird. They make a lot of easy to find products for the home gardener and professional. You can find their products at Home Depot and Lowes, etc.
I have lived in tucson all my life , never have i,ve seen my understanding like i have seen it through your eyes in southwest gardening, i have been reborn. thank you for your show. Armando
Thanks Armando! Happy to assist.