June 2012 Picks for the Gardener

Author: Nancy Erdmann

Issue: June, 2012, Page 96

SHADE MAKERKeep cool under this blue re-edition of a classic-style umbrella from Santa Barbara Designs. The floor-standing Montecito has a teak frame and Slate Blue canopy cover. Available in various shapes, woods and fabrics through Inside/Out Furniture, Scottsdale, insideoutfurniture.com.

FLOOR SHOWTucson artist Melinda Curtin has a knack for combining bright colors and bold patterns in her one-of-a-kind floor mats. Painted with fade-resistant acrylics on rubber matting that is triple-sealed for durability, the rugs are ideal for patios. Pictured is Azulejo, measuring 38" square. Custom sizes and designs are available on a commission basis. Curtin’s work is available through Wilde Meyer Gallery, Scottsdale, wildemeyer.com.

PONY UPKnown by many in the Phoenix area for his distinctive handcrafted pots, Mike Cone recently created the footed Pony series. Made of high-fired stoneware, the pieces are nonporous, extremely durable and a perfect match for desert plants. The line includes three sizes and various textures and color combinations. To find out more about the artist and where his pots can be purchased, log on to mikecone.com.

SAVING SEEDSWith the popularity of vegetable gardening reaching an all-time high, a new crop of gardeners is taking a step closer to food independence by saving their own seeds for replanting. In The Complete Guide to Saving Seeds: 322 Vegetables, Herbs, Flowers, Fruits, Trees, and Shrubs, Robert Gough and Cheryl Moore-Gough provide a comprehensive handbook on how to collect, clean, germinate and store seeds. The benefits, they say, are to preserve regional favorites, promote diversity and save money.