If you live in El Paso you know heat. That means outdoor living in the backyard landscape is a year around activity. Even if you live in a small post war tract house, expanding your interior spaces into an outdoor patio sheltered from the punishing sun can create a favorite new hang out. With so much Spanish style architecture, from historic neighborhoods to brand new housing, there are plenty of opportunities to create a new landscape that extends this style into design of swimming pools, seatwalls, pergolas and drought resistant planting.

For anyone in Socorro with its contemporary subdivisions and wide open spaces, creating a family environment in the backyard keeps everyone safe, happy and very well fed. Among the Hispanic community here, grilling isn't just a weekend event but an everyday thing. You'll want a beautiful ramada to shade your dining patio and keep dad happy turning asada on Sunday afternoons. Landscaping that features a vegetable garden is a wise investment in fresh salsa and chiles every summer.

Just to the north lies Las Cruces, New Mexico, where the Organ Mountains rise up to frame this city in beautiful snow capped peaks all winter long. Exploit your views with a carefully designed patio or elevated deck to better relax after a long day at work. If you enjoy an older home in the Santa Fe style, consider extending the look indoors into an easy care outdoor living area where splashing fountains and hanging plants provide a cool place to wait out the heat of the afternoon. Spreading out from the banks of the Rio Grand, this area is flood plain with deep, rich soils that support agriculture, and they'll provide perfect ground for a new xeriscape, organic garden or traditional flower filled courtyards.

Sandwiched between the White Sands National Monument, Hollowman Air Force Base and the Sacramento Mountains to the east many parts of Almagordo, New Mexico have fabulous views. Turn your backyard into a shaded oasis with large shade trees and a swimming pool where everyone can gather in comfort during the warm months. For when it's cooler, install a fire pit where the whole family can spent time outdoors enjoying the stars on clear desert nights.