Tip No. 1: Plan before you plant. Winter is the perfect time of year for hands-on landscaping and home garden projects. Why hire a pro when you can do it yourself?

First-time gardeners and transplanted residents (folks who grew up somewhere else) are often surprised at the challenges posed by our low-desert environment. Why is the soil so hard? Why are giant caterpillars devouring my pepper plants? Why did the beautiful mesquite tree I planted three years ago suddenly fall on my house? Join the DIY Desert Gardener as he digs for answers!