Hello, It sounds like you have a couple of questions. About the plants in the pot getting blown out. When you first put the plant into the pot it is not going to be well attached but if you could put it in a sheltered position for a couple of months it will hopefully give it enough time to spread its roots and fill in the pot which should keep it firmly attached to your container. About the stuff that died this winter. I am looking for a tree and went to moon valley nursery and was surprised at all the plant material they were selling that is not hardy in a cold winter here. When I commented about it I was told that it was okay because they have big oil heaters they use to keep thier plants alive through cold spells. Hmmm, do they give a heater along with every frost sensitive tree they sell? I think not. Where your branches on your tree are dry start breaking them off and look inside, if it is all brown it is dead there but if you have green inside it is still alive. Keep breaking until you hit the green. If you don't your tree is dead. Do you know what kind it is? I have two trees that have not broken dormancy yet but thier branches are pliable not stiff so I know they are alive. They are acacia pendula a. shafneri and everything else is going like gangbusters. A lot of stuff sold here either isn't hardy to the cold, doesn't like the heat and sun, or dislikes the alkaline soil and water we have. That said there are a lot of plants that love it here and if you plant those you can enjoy the beauty that comes with healthy, happy plants. But your yard won't look like a Chicago or Florida landscape. Maria

Hiya, Looks like you really have your work cut out for you. It might be really helpful to visit some established gardens in Vegas to learn more about what really works down there. I visited the Gardens at the Springs Preserve when I was at a Landscape Confrence 4 years ago, and have remained on their mailing list. I can't belive the scope of classes, tours and demonstartions they offer, it's absolutely wild! It is under 4 acres and is very walkable, and everything is well i.d'd Looks like it has been established at least 10-12 years, so you can see some nice, fairly mature specimens. I believe it is sponsored by the SNWA(S. Nevada Water Authority.) Reno needs to catch up I'm afraid; we have a botanical garden at Rancho San Rafael park, but its pretty feeble by comparison. Larger than its Vegas sibling, but less info is disseminated.Maybe things will change w/ the new director Bill Carlos who recently came aboard. Here is a link to the Gardens at the Springs Preserve: http://www.springspreserve.org/html/gardens_visitor_information.html I don't know what the topography + architecture is like at your parents new house (probably a stucco ranch, flat as a pancake?) but you might want to introduce some mounding with some rocks/boulders. Quite a few interesting gropundcover and perennial plants will enjoy growing in this type of situation, plus it makes it easier for your folks in that they don't have to bend + kneel so much. Also investigate container gardening (on a separate drip zone). I saw some really cool planters in Vegas, that thrived in a patio setting. Some were very elaborate and had ornamnetal grasses combined with different annuals that trailed out of the pots.Very luscious! Good luck in your gardening adventures down south! Here is a link that might be useful: Gradens @ Springs Preserve

I have grown melons here in Las Vegas. Below is a vegetable planting guide for the area that has melon planting times Here is a link that might be useful: Desert vegetable planting guide

Thank you..here is alittle bit more info.. Hello; I am a 32 yr old married lady from IL. Been married for 14 yrs.With 2 kids...my boy is 11 yrs old Cole(boarder coliie/lab mix) and my girl is 4 yr old Mia(retired greyhound).. I was born in the Northwoods of Rhinelander,Wis and lived there for the first 7 yrs of my life and the rest of the time I lived in IL. My dream is to move to a 2 acre piece of land in the mountains and build a log cabin to live in. I want to be able to have a garden and maybe a few chickens and a horse..But still be able to enjoy plenty of wildlife(like deer,moose,ect) and maybe have a small lake nearby where I can hear the calls of the Common Loons.. I do not hunt but have lot of family that do..I would not beopposed to trying it..I do love to target practice with my vary of guns and love going to the local gun shows when posssible..As for other outdoor activities camping and fishing are enjoyable things for me. My husband is not like me at all..he's a modern techy..and couch potatoe.. So I would like to meet ladies with the same interest as myself. As for my career--as of right now I am unemployed..But am am registered Pharmacy Technician..so looking for a job in that field for now...my dream career would be owning a used bookshop in a small town. Hubby would like to operate a chess store in the same building with a cafe in between them both. Hope to make new friends here... PS..Is there a scheduled chat night and time?? Lisa