Stories, insights, and updates from the voices of Southwest Utah.

Tucked into the desert landscape, Joey and Zach’s garden offers a living example of what can emerge when creativity and stewardship grow side by side.

When you first arrive at Kolene’s home, you quickly realize this garden is unlike any other. Instead of lush flower beds or carefully planned borders, the landscape unfolds as a winding collection of stones - each one placed with intention, each one carrying its own story. Pathways of rock guide you through the space, leading past agaves, fruit trees, and unexpected treasures gathered from the surrounding desert.

Here in Brio, one backyard quietly breaks all the rules — and in doing so, creates its own kind of paradise. Officially dubbed “Tom and Deb’s National Recreation Area,” this nine-year-old garden proves just how much can be grown, enjoyed, and shared on a standard lot in Southern Utah’s challenging climate.

Hidden on five acres at the edge of Ivins, Kathy and Gary’s desert garden tells the story of what began as a simple wish for a minimalist landscape. Over the decades, it has evolved into a living tapestry of cactus, agave, natural pathways, and open views framed by the red rock of Red Mountain.

As you approach Marilyn’s home, the garden gently welcomes you in — fragrant herbs, soft pathways, and mature trees creating a landscape that feels both peaceful and thoughtfully designed.

We can’t believe how lucky we are to have found Trase! The layers of his story reveal unmatched dedication to home and community service, continually raising the bar at every turn. Visitors to his garden will be educated, filled with inspiration, and encouraged to do good things.

When Colleen and Jerry Winters moved to St. George in 2014, their yard was already landscaped - tall Italian cypress trees, structured beds, and a traditional lawn.