Tucked away in a private spot in Yucca Valley is the property of Kim Monnie and Scot McKone. These desert dwellers show what can be accomplished in a small space, with their "pocket" garden alongside the home. A carefully curated selection of drought-tolerant plants and trees populate the garden. 

Max Thomas and Robin Maxwell live on a 22-acre parcel in Pioneertown that was burned by the Sawtooth fire in 2006. This is a story of birth and rebirth on the desert landscape. It is also a story of living off-the-grid with solar and wind energy and hauled water and landscaping with native plants.

"Homestead Chic" is what the Mendoza's of Twentynine Palms call their landscaping style, with quirky repurposed art amid rambling native plantings. The landscape has been transformed from a water-hungry design to one more desert-wise. Several native plants are showcased for their hardiness, including sugar bush (Rhus ovata) and bladderpod (Peritoma arborea). Also included is an exploration of their grey-water irrigation system.

The Wold landscape is the inspiring story of a scraped landscape and a learning curve for gardening in Joshua Tree. Permaculture elements such as catchment basins and contour swales surround the home and leverage rainfall to full effect. Here you'll see a selection of native and drought-tolerant plants ideal for our area. The homeowners share a surprising use for problematic caliche soil. 

Join us on a tour of a Landers homesite owned by Mike Lipsitz. Hardscaping, sculpture and long-established plants come together to create a breezy oasis alongside Goat Mountain. Included in the landscape are tall pine trees and a large jojoba orchard. Don't miss the secret message visible only by aerial views. 

Imagine being off-the-grid in 1979. Morongo Valley's Perry and Kathy Derouen did so at their remote homesite. They also drilled a well and carved out their own road.  MBCA is pleased to bring you this video of two modern pioneers, the first in our 11th annual Desert-Wise Landscaping Tour series.