Lots of people in Flagstaff know Frank Branham as the owner of The Cottage restaurant, which he ran for 22 years along with his wife, Nancy. But probably not as many people know him as the innovative gardener that he is. His backyard garden, in the pines and irrigated almost entirely by rainwater, is one of the gardens included in the Aug. 9 garden tour sponsored by the Coconino Country Master Gardener Association.

Frank and Nancy bought their unique house, featuring a hexagonal design, in 1992. Nancy had spotted it in her early days as a realtor. Nancy wanted to grow flowers, so Frank bought her a pick axe for her birthday to get rocks out of the native soil. Although Frank’s father had gardened when Frank was young, he himself didn’t become interested until he got frustrated trying to f

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