From Father Kino's garden

That big mesquite in the middle is native, but much of the rest of what you'll find at Desert Survivors Nursery is descended from plants brought in by Spanish missionaries.

From Father Kino's garden

Guava trees were brought to the Sonoran Desert from the tropics.

From Father Kino's garden

Mission figs, also introduced by the missionaries, grow from grafts or cuttings.

From Father Kino's garden

Grapes were brought in to be used in making sacramental wine.

From Father Kino's garden

Grapevines require support - a trellis system, or just a tree branch will do.

24 HOM Kino

A small bunch of grapes grown from grafts or cuttings grows at Desert Survivors Nursery.

Students dash for cash, fun

More than 400 people watched the sun rise over the mountains Saturday while preparing to start the 27th annual Manzanita Desert Dash in Sabino Canyon.

Students dash for cash, fun

Water needs grow beyond farms vs. cities

YUMA — The water in the Colorado River could fill the needs of all the homes and offices in Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas and much of Southern California, but much of it irrigates vast fields of wheat, alfalfa, cotton and vegetables.

It's a good time of the year for composting

From Halloween jack-o'-lanterns to skins from avocados used for New Year's Day dip, you'll likely have more food scraps than at any other time of the year.

It's a good time of the year for composting

Store-brand grocery survey: Wal-Mart edges Fry's

When it comes to shopping store brands, Wal-Mart and its Great Value brand are tough to beat if you want to save money. (Click on lower image at right for a .pdf file of survey results.)

Store-brand grocery survey: Wal-Mart edges Fry's

Private-property rights need protection

Years ago, Mark Twain said, "Buy land, they're not making it anymore." It's a wise admonition, unless you live in one of the many states that disregard private-property rights.