Gardening on the Moon ( GOTM )

Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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The desert has been putting on quite a show. The cactus are blooming as are the wildflowers, trees and shrubs. This period of floral beauty is quickly heading toward an end as the heat trips in to the 90′s more often.

While our Chollas (choy – ahs ) seem very appealing, these are the devil in disguise. The blooming season makes them seem very appealing and perhaps approachable (see photos below), but don’t! I have seen bikers, hikers and gardeners covered with cholla segments which have the nasty habit of attaching themselves to clothing and sticking into the skin of their unwilling hosts. They are doing what comes naturally since this is one way they propagate. They stick to animals and eventually drop off in a new location where they will try to take root.

For those who are tired after spending a day in the garden, but still can’t get enough, here is some suggested reading material; books and websites! I hope you find something worth investigating further!

(Click the links for more information.)

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  Flowering Plants A Pictorial Guide to the World’s Flora

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  Garden book recommendations from garden writers

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Gardening/diggin-it/2011/0329/Great-garden-books-part-1

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  Garden Up – A book about vertical gardening. It appears to be inspirational with many interesting ideas for unique gardening exploits!

http://lifeonthebalcony.com/great-vertical-gardening-inspiration-and-information/

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  Far Out Flora – Recently acknowledged as one of Horticulture’s Best Gardening Blogs award.

http://faroutflora.wordpress.com/

Gardening on the Moon, www.gardeningonthemoon.com, originally published this post