We know gardening can be TOUGH here at high altitude. We’ve got short growing seasons (only about 100 frost-free days), huge temperature swings, and poor soil. But there’s some good news–with a little planning, we absolutely CAN grow things like peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes. Check out 4 things you can do in February, below!

Many places across the Southwest are experiencing record drought and heat waves. Not only can it be a huge stress to your plants, but we can deplete our finite water resources very quickly. Let’s look at 6 ways to help our plants during heat waves AND be waterwise!

Potatoes are some of the easiest and most fun veggies you can grow in your garden. They don’t require much attention, there are tons of varieties you can’t find in the grocery store, and it’s a super fun treasure hunt come harvest time. Did you know you can grow them in bags?! Awesome for gardeners with small space or poor soil. Check out my 5 easy steps for growing potatoes in grow bags below.

There are many similarities between Albuquerque and Flagstaff in terms of high altitude gardening. Most gardeners in both cities deal with huge temperature swings, a good amount of wind, and being closer to the sun, which can result in sun scald or differing sun requirements than low-elevation locations. Having been raised in Albuquerque, it’s interesting comparing the two climates and different gardening conditions between the two. I’ll dive more deeply into some high-altitude gardening observations following my recent visit to Albuquerque last week.

You may be wondering what all goes into a Garden Consultation and why you might need one. I have a lot of new folks joining in, so make sure to check out my blog where I talk about my background and gardening experience. Whether we do a virtual or in-person consultation, we cover the same core principles: you’ll learn what you can grow successfully in your space. And we do that by getting started with a conversation about your garden goals through a consultation.

Wow—this past weekend was phenomenal, all thanks to our local Flagstaff community. You all showed UP! Thank you so much to all who came out and supported the kickstart of my seedling sale and Elevated Gardening. It was absolutely wonderful to meet so many amazing folks in our community.

You may be wondering what the difference is between a landscaper and a Garden Consultant. Don’t they do the same thing? Well, not really. Now I can’t speak to being a landscaper, but I do know that landscapers tend to have a plan in mind and execute said plan based on their company’s protocols. Garden Consultants approach their clients with a shared understanding of learning and growing gardens based on their clients’ needs.

As an undergraduate at the University of New Mexico I had the hardest time choosing a major. I just had too many interests! Not one of them included becoming an edible garden consultant or a business owner though. Maybe you’re wondering how I got here and why all the pieces have fallen into place to create my perfect gig.  I’d love to take you along for my story. 

It’s VERY early spring and the time for garden planning & seed starting is upon us. Depending on where you live you might have already started planting your seeds for transplanting in the spring. Knowing when & how to start seeds (both indoor and outdoor) can be a little tricky, but with a little knowledge and practice you can get the hang of it in no time.

Peppers...grown in a can?! There’s this little international challenge that takes place every year where, you guessed it, people compete to grow peppers in cans. Are you ready to try yet? Check out more info below on FAQs, rules, and tips.

Deciding which vegetables, herbs, and flowers you want in your garden is the fun part, but then comes the task of planning and planting. Buying young plants (sometimes called transplants) is definitely an option, but as you become more and more involved in growing you might choose to start your plants from seeds. Once you know what you want to plant and when you want to start planting, you can get down to business.