And while we’re at it…the Boyce Thompson Arboretum is having its spring plant sale through March 25, 2012!

(I won’t get into how dang lucky we are to have not one, but TWO major gardens in the Phoenix area! Each offers a completely different, but equally excellent experience.)

Anyway, if you’re into desert gardening, then pick up some xeriscape plants at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Plant sale hours coincide with arboretum hours (8:00am to 4:00pm daily) and runs through March 25.  I’m sure they’ll provide gardening tips, too, and members do receive 20% off plants.  Another good reason to join!

The best time to plant in Phoenix?  Generally speaking, it’s October…a tough thing for this Minnesotan to come to grips with. But now October is like spring to me!

To help you succeed, there are some really great plant sales staffed by experts who can help you figure out how to plant whatever you buy!

• Desert Botanical Garden:  Saturday, October 16 (7:00am to 5:00pm) and Sunday, October 17 (9:00am to 5:00pm)
• Boyce Thompson Arboretum:  Friday, October 8 through Sunday, October 24
• Maricopa County Master Gardeners “Perennial Divide” Plant Sale:  Saturday, October 30 (8:00am to 2:00pm)

Better yet, join the Desert Botanical Garden and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum and you can get into the plant sales the day before and buy plants at a discount…and you’ll support the great work that’s being done by these two organizations!