Earth-Friendly Desert Gardening

Book excerpt: Regardless of your gardening experience, you can easily save money on utility bills, conserve water, reduce yard waste sent to landfills, and create a low-maintenance landscape that is in balance with its natural surroundings. Earth-Friendly Desert Gardening shows how to: Lower utility bills by locating plants where they moderate the sun and wind. Reduce water consumption by choosing plants wisely and watering effectively. Make mulch and compost from yard waste. Manage insects without synthetic pesticides. Create a habitat for birds, butterflies, and other wildlife. Maintain the quality of water supplies by reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. Earth-Friendly Desert Gardening also explains how to: Add edible plants to the landscape. Grow a low-allergen garden. Create defensible space before wildfire strikes. Direct thousands of gallons of rainwater to the landscape. Determine if a graywater system is right for you. The book's information is based on university research and is geared specifically to the unique growing conditions of the Sonoran Desert. The authors are life-long gardeners with years of experience growing plants in the low desert. They guide you through the complete process of creating a landscape from start to finish, covering site assessment, landscape design, plant selection, and plant maintenance. Book jacket.