It’s the last day of May. I can expect each Tucson afternoon to hit 100 degrees F, or close enough. It’s a good time to…
Photos by Anna Van Devender unless otherwise stated. Escaping the Southern Arizona heat in June is a Van Devender family tradition. Driving to Yellowstone in…
In the five seasons of our Sonoran Desert, the main times for rain are winter and Monsoon summer. April (end of spring), and the first…
The melon’s parents grew on a commercial farm, likely in Yuma. It was delivered to Basha’s or Albertson’s, then consumed by my family, sometime in…
When my 11-year-old gets up early and joins me on the back patio to read in the rain while I sip my coffee and watch…
“The worms are alive!” I practically sang upon confirming that red wigglers moved within cool, moist soil in my portable worm bin. They were laying…
Desert gardening, on a practical level, means gardening in an arid environment. Desert gardening, on a personal level, means gardening in and with the place…
“Did this stick come from a TREE?” asked my 4-year-old. He accepted my affirmation thoughtfully, then inched along the trail again with an 18” pine…
The trees are thirsty. The kids are restless. The day is young, and one that will heat up quickly. I turn the hose on a…
We eat our breakfast outside. Every summer morning around 6:30 my two young boys and I schlep a simple meal to the backyard, pick a…