Author: hannosgarden

The Blue Beaked Yucca, scientifically known as Yucca rostrata, is one of the most striking and sculptural plants used in contemporary and desert landscaping. Native to the arid regions of Texas, New Mexico, and northern Mexico, this slow-growing yucca is appreciated for its architectural shape, drought tolerance, and distinctive silvery-blue foliage that stands out in any garden setting.

Characterized by its tall, narrow trunk and dense crown of stiff, narrow leaves, Yucca rostrata forms a dramatic silhouette that looks almost sculpted. The leaves, which can reach up to two feet in length, radiate symmetrically from the plant’s center, creating a globe-like canopy with a soft, elegant texture. Their powdery blue coating not only gives the plant its signature color but also helps it conserve water in harsh climates.

One of the greatest advantages of the Blue Beaked Yucca is its resilience. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, it thrives in full sun and well-draining soil and requires minimal maintenance. It is also surprisingly cold-hardy for a desert plant, tolerating temperatures as low as 0°F to 10°F depending on conditions. This adaptability makes it suitable for xeriscapes, rock gardens, modern architectural landscapes, and southwestern-style designs.

In late spring to early summer, Yucca rostrata sends up tall flower stalks adorned with clusters of creamy white blooms that attract pollinators and add seasonal interest. While the tree grows slowly—often only a few inches per year—its longevity and structural beauty make it a rewarding addition to long-term landscape plans.

Whether planted as a focal point, used in grouped arrangements, or incorporated into minimalist designs, the Blue Beaked Yucca brings elegance, texture, and visual drama to outdoor spaces. Its sculptural presence and low-water requirements make it an exceptional choice for gardeners seeking both beauty and sustainability.

Every year, as the days grow a little longer and the air warms just enough to hint at spring, many of us feel that familiar pull—the irresistible itch to start a vegetable garden. It often begins as a simple thought: Wouldn’t it be nice to grow my own tomatoes this year? Before long, you’re paging through seed catalogs, imagining raised beds, and dreaming of crisp cucumbers and sun-warmed strawberries.

The vegetable gardening itch is more than seasonal excitement—it’s a response to the natural rhythm of the year. After winter, people crave reconnection with the outdoors, fresh food, and the satisfying hands-on work of tending something alive. Gardening offers all of that and more. It’s grounding, creative, and surprisingly therapeutic. There’s a special joy in poking tiny seeds into soil and watching them grow into something nourishing.

This year we are growing tomatoes, strawberries (‘Everbearing’ and ‘Surecrop’), Walla Walla onions, pumpkins, beans (climbing and bush), Marionberry, rhubarb, peppers (Anaheim and Poblano) and herbs. I will add carrots, ‘Bright Lights’ chard and beets to our garden, shortly.

I kind of gave up on vegetable gardening for the past few years because we have so many rodents (rabbits, ground squirrels, rats and mice) that decimate some of our vegetable starts. (The pumpkin, cilantro and zucchini plants are already destroyed.) But this year I got the vegetable gardening itch.

Starting a vegetable garden doesn’t require a huge space or prior experience. A few containers on a sunny patio or a small backyard bed is enough to grow herbs, lettuces, tomatoes, and peppers. The key is simply to begin. Choose a handful of vegetables you love to eat, pick up a few packets of seeds or starter plants, and let curiosity guide you.

What makes the gardening itch so rewarding is its promise of future abundance. The work you do now—preparing soil, planting seeds, planning your layout—pays off in months of crisp harvests and delicious meals. Each sprout becomes a little victory, each ripening fruit a reminder that your efforts matter.

So if you’re feeling that familiar tug toward the garden, embrace it. The soil is waiting, the season is waking up, and there’s no better time to dig in and grow something wonderful.

If you’re looking for some guidance about growing a vegetable garden, the Old Farmer’s Almanac Vegetable Gardener’s Handbook is pretty helpful.

I picked up five quarts of these California native plants in July of last year from Mad River Gardens Nursery in Eureka, CA. They made it through the winter AOK and are filling in nicely. There are lots of different colors of penstemon – I’m planning on picking up a variety of colors from another nursery in April.

Tag information: Penstemon heterophyllus – ‘Electric Blue’ – California native with brilliant gentian blue flowers May – September. Attracts butterflies. Drought tolerant. Zone 6-9. Full sun. Height 24″.

I made a trip to Green Thumb in Ventura and picked up three more gallons of Electric Blue. I also picked up this pink variety (below), grown by Native Sons.

We adopted Chance from Hoofs and Woofs Animal Rescue in Valley Center, California. (You can also like this rescue on Facebook.) Chance is a gorgeous, 12-year-old, 15.2 hh, foundation stock Quarter Horse and very sweet. He loves grandma the most.

One of our plans for 2020 was to add chickens to the garden. (The COVID pandemic turned out to be a nice coincidence because we could focus on these projects.) We knew we wanted a very large chicken run connected to a coop made from a shed kit. We started with 27 chicks; three of each breed.

I decided to enclose the orange trees so the chickens would have some shade. They can’t (shouldn’t) eat the oranges, but they will probably enjoy eating the blossoms. These trees weren’t in great shape when I started building the run. But each time I mix concrete, I water the trees and now they are looking pretty healthy.

This is basically the finished product. Our chicken run is 25′ x 15′. We used redwood posts and rails and then coated them with food-grade mineral oil.

We’ll be back…

Some other nice ones: