Christine Alexander

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

With origins as far back as the Bronze Age, hedges were used to corral livestock to protect crops, defend land from invaders, and, eventually, define the boundaries of property and gardens. Chinese privet (Ligustrum sinense) was introduced into the United States in the early 1800s, and a neatly trimmed privet hedge quickly became the signature of a well-maintained garden.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

When it comes to landscape design, patios are the most requested hardscape element from my clients, and for good reason—they serve as a central hub of activity and a visual anchor for the rest of the garden. They’re also one of the best places to unleash your creativity with materials. Why do I say that? A patio, at its most basic, is just a flat space on the ground where you’re going to do some low-impact stuff, like sitting around making s’mores.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

Spring is a time when many gardeners begin to prepare for the summer season. However, you don’t need to focus solely on summer veggie gardening. There are several vegetables that are reliable, fast to mature, and cold tolerant that can be grown now. With their bright flavors and quick growth, these four spring crops are sure to please a winter-weary palate. Wake up your spring salads with a blend of pungent mustard greens like ‘Red Giant’, ‘Miz America’, and ‘Green Wave’.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

While biochar is by no means new, it is relatively new to the world of horticulture as a mainstream soil amendment. But what is it exactly? Biochar is a substance that is created by burning organic material in an oxygen-deprived environment. This results in a highly stable form of carbon. Scientists call it “recalcitrant carbon” because it can remain in soil for decades, perhaps even millennia. Biochar has been used by indigenous peoples in the Amazon basin for at least 2,000 years.

2 weeks ago | finegardening.com | Christine Alexander

Creating a sense of place has been a recurring garden theme for years now, and it lends authenticity to any setting, especially here in the Southwest. For me, nothing does this better than the use of succulents, both locally native ones and those that are well-adapted from far-off places. This may be one of the few unifying garden themes that rightfully extends across our Southwest region, from the California coast to South Texas.