A witty, informal guide to gardening in the high desert, which begins with the author's philosophy and a short history of gardening. Features chapters on: Landscape planning, Xeriscaping and Firescaping; Intelligent water use; Composting and mulching; Propagating; tools and planting tips; Identifying weeds and controlling pests; Rock and container gardening; Fruiticulture, vegiculture, and floriculture; Tree and shrub care; Herb growing and use; Identification of poisonous plants; Pampering house plants.