Kimberly Toscano
Kimberly Toscano is a freelance writer and horticulturalist with an eye on design. Formally trained in horticulture, environmental science, and entomology, she is interested in all things edible as well as garden design and landscaping for wildlife. Kim takes a holistic approach to gardening and landscaping, working in harmony with the natural environment. This includes organic and sustainable gardening practices, careful management of water, and enhancing biodiversity in the landscape.
Before establishing a career in freelance writing, Kim served as writer and host for Oklahoma Gardening, a weekly PBS television program produced by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service. In this role, she shared her expertise through more than 1,000 video segments covering all aspects of gardening, environmental stewardship, and sustainable living. To support her programming, Kim designed over a dozen gardens that were installed at The Botanic Garden at Oklahoma State University, including a formal terrace, an organic vegetable garden, and themed ornamental plantings. Learn more about Kim’s work at www.kimtoscano.com.
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Southwest Regional ReportsEndangered Plants in the Southwest
When it comes to endangered species, plants play an outsized role in conservation efforts. From gorillas to butterflies, plants support a diversity of threatened and endangered species either directly as…
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Regional ReportsLow-Maintenance Plants for Your Region
When we only prioritize plants we want over plants our landscape needs, each season is filled with a never-ending list of chores: pruning, pinching, watering, treating, amending, and fertilizing, with…
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DesignGreat Native Perennials for Your Region
In every corner of the United States, native perennials offer an unparalleled blend of beauty, resilience, and ecological harmony. In "Great Native Perennials for Your Region," we’ve partnered with regional…
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Southwest Regional ReportsHow to Grow Tomatoes in Pots or Containers
Growing tomatoes in containers can yield great results. Container life can also help gardeners overcome some of the challenging conditions of the Southwest, such as low-fertility soils. However, not all…
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Southwest Regional ReportsLawn Replacements for the Southwest
With growing interest in waterwise gardening and water conservation, homeowners are looking for alternatives to water-hogging lawns, which are not always necessary or practical. Turfgrass can often be replaced by…
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How-ToHow to Read and Use the AHS Heat Zone Map for Gardening
Most gardeners are familiar with the USDA plant hardiness zone map, which represents cold hardiness. But cold hardiness only indicates one aspect of a plant’s preferred conditions. Its ability to…
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How-ToTips for Keeping Plants Alive Through a Heat Wave
The plants recommended in this article are very heat tolerant, but even the best-adapted plants need a little extra care when extreme heat strikes. Since heat can stress plants, and…
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DesignThe Best Plants for Areas with Extreme Heat
From temperature extremes to shifting rainfall patterns, communities coast to coast are experiencing the increasing impacts of climate change. In many areas summers are hotter and drier, making gardeners more…
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Southwest Regional ReportsFlowering Perennials for Full Summer Sun
Spring and early summer are lush with blooms, but the height of summer sends many perennials into a period of rest as they wait for cooler days to return. That’s where…
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Southwest Regional ReportsThe Best Annuals for Southwestern Gardens
Annual plants are a garden designer’s secret weapon. Endlessly versatile and extremely showy, annuals add nonstop color without a high price or a lot of work. They are perfect for…
Fine Gardening Magazine
