Sustainable Backyard Learning Center

by David Salman Islands of taller plants in the groundcovers providing additional beauty and interest in this La Jolla, CA yard. Inspiration For Replacing Lawns in the Intermountain West California,...

by Wendy 'Hachita' Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) in Summer Like any lawn, whether planted with traditional lawn grasses or low water native species, good maintenance practices are essential to keeping...

By David Salman, Founder of High Country Gardens | Updated 4/22/25 Groundcovers are some of our most versatile and easy-to-grow perennials. Groundcovers are usually defined as plants that spread much...

by High Country Gardens We recommend leveling and tilling the planting area, as the soil should be loose and clump-free before planting. Fall is a great time of year to...

Now that it's officially summer, this is a good time to review how to care for your lawn when the heat is on. Lawns act like a natural air conditioner,...

by David Salman, Founder of High Country Gardens Lawns are a permanent fixture in the US, with current estimates of nearly 50 million acres under grass! A lush green lawn looks...

By David Salman, Founder of High Country Gardens Gardeners in the West, and across the country, are learning that you don’t need a lawn to have a beautiful yard. Replacing...

Wildflowers are some of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow. Seeds are a miracle of nature, holding the spark of life inside themselves that can stay viable for many...

  By David Salman, Chief Horticulturist We Americans love our lawns. A nice green lawn can beautify our landscapes, provide a lush place to walk and play, and help to...

By David Salman You can mimic Mother Nature by sowing seeds in winter. We recommend sowing just prior to a snowstorm. Traditionally, we think of the balmy days of spring...

by High Country Gardens Growing a Drought Tolerant Lawn During our geologic past about 20,000,000 years ago, the weather became more arid and the North American grasslands originated as forest...