First look for seedlings that have volunteered from self-sowing perennials or annuals.

Then reward their independent spirit by replanting them so they will spread to other parts of the garden.

Plant dwarf evergreen shrubs that grow slowly and stay tidy to avoid summer pruning and staking.

For Summer replace patches of lawn that won't stay green in the heat of the summer with a boulder-and-rock mulch or a drought-resistant ground cover.

Add a watering wand with an on/off switch to the end of your hose. This tool makes quick work of watering pots and baskets.