Gardening on the Moon ( GOTM ) » Desert Gardening

Garden Sprouts – March 9, 2010

jbross — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:53:48 +0000

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

Two long-established roses earn Earth-Kind distinction.

Earth-Kind roses must pass a rigorous trial to earn that designation. These roses share many excellent qualities that make them attractive for rose lovers of all ilks. Cecile Brunner and Reve d’Or have been given the Earth-Kind designation in 2010. To learn more about the Earth-Kind program click this link

http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/roses/

http://agnews.tamu.edu/showstory.php?id=1741

Getting Clivias to Rebloom - There are few plants that are more stunning than a well-grown Clivia. A fully loaded crown of Clivia blooms is a site to behold. While Clivias might provide a bit of a challenge, this article tries to remove the mystery of keeping them healthy and getting them to rebloom.

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2010/02/19/getting-clivias-to-rebloom/

Holy radicles batman! A different and perhaps more effective approach to seed germination. I have used this method with increased success so I can vouch for it.

I must also add that OUR ENGINEERED GARDEN is a very interesting blog demonstrating many unique techniques applying science and engineering to the art of gardening.

http://engineeredgarden.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-germination-method.html

Russian sage is a perennial favorite with a large following. This is one tough plant which puts on quite a show and makes the bees happy!

http://homesteadgardens.wordpress.com/2010/02/17/betsys-favorite-perennials-russian-sage-is-high-on-the-list/

Container garden ideas – Container gardening offers a great deal of flexibility. Pots can be easily moved to alter growing conditions as the sun becomes stronger during the summer months or as surrounding plants fill out and provide too much shade. Potted plants can also be moved to areas where color is needed and then returned to another location at a later time.

http://www.blisstree.com/motherearthsgarden/planning-your-container-gardens/

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

Planting Time

We had purchased the snail vine earlier and kept it in a sheltered part of our landscape. It was very top-heavy and we wanted to avoid having it knocked over.

The snail vine awaits in a sheltered spot!

The first step was to center the vine and plant it between the two sections of the trellis.

The vine had many twisted tendrils which wrapped around each other and it took great care to separate them without tearing.

Looking closely, you may be able to see the intertwined tendrils.

It took much care and patience to separate all of the tendrils without tearing them.

Once the tendrils were separated and laid out, they were tied to various parts of the trellis using old nylon hosiery. This provides some movement for the plant and does not cut into the tender parts. The tendrils were tied to the corresponding side of the trellis.

Below is a picture taken later in the summer once the snail vine had filled out. By the fall, the trellis was nearly invisible.

The snail vine has an interesting flower shape. Here is a close up. I have been told that they are fragrant, but I really can’t say I have noticed that aspect.

This was certainly a worthy project and we enjoyed watching the products of our labors as the plant thrived. Once the spring arrives, we cut the vine nearly down to the ground, give it some compost/fertilizer and watch it repeat the performance (we hope)!

Read Part I of Plant Stabbings and Other Issues

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

Garden Sprouts – February 20, 2010

jbross — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:34:48 +0000

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

Follow Jeff on Twitter for daily garden tips and news!

Pity the poor Mesquites or in my case, the Palo Verde. This is a story of the desert garden “pest” – mistletoe. This mistletoe, however is nothing like the winter holiday plant with the same name. This variety is deadly to desert trees. It is a parasitic plant that destroys its host over several years. You can read about it at “By George! A Blog!” at the link below. [Pictured is a sample of Mistletoe on a Palo Verde.]

http://communitygardensoftucson.org/blog/?p=119

The desert is an amazing place. In the middle of the summer with the 110 degree days, it is difficult to find things other than a few cactus growing in the desert. The early spring, however, is a different story. In a rainy year such as this one, wildflowers abound and they put on a display that rivals some of the finest gardens. Manet would have loved to paint these beauties. For those in the Tucson, AZ area, there are numerous resources to help you find and enjoy the best of nature’s displays.

http://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/

How long do garden seeds stay fresh? That is the perennial question (pun alert). After all, don’t you usually have seeds left over after planting season? Nobody wants to waste seeds or money. Here is a resource to help you determine whether the seeds you have are still viable. This post from the Gardener’s Rake has other links to help gardeners learn to properly store seeds from year-to-year.

http://thegardenersrake.com/how-long-do-garden-seeds-stay-fresh

MSNBC has a very nice animal slide show for those who like that sort of thing; I do! Somehow it seems that many gardeners are also animal lovers. Dogs seem to love gardens and cats enjoy “hunting” from behind the strategic crevices created by plants and flowers. Remember to bell the cat to save the birds!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34422149

Ground covers can be used to protect the soil from rain (and look good in the process). This is one category of plants that doesn’t seem to get a lot of press yet these plants can play a crucial role. Keep in mind that some climbers also make good ground covers as well!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/03/AR2009090304123.html

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

The Story

We moved into a house where we were the first people to live there. Essentially it was a new house. When builders put these “spec houses” on the market, they want them to look as nice as possible at the moment they finish. What often happens is that plants are put into tight places where they look good at the moment, but when they mature, the will be cramped or hinder passageway. We found ourselves facing that situation with a slight variation. Our plants have spines and tended to stick people as they walked by. Many things in the southwest pinch, sting or stab. Here is one picture of the situation before we began the project. Notice how a couple agaves lean into the walkway with their spines which became a nuisance, if not worse, to passersby.

Our goal was twofold. We wanted to partially shield the view of the vacant lot across the street and provide a focal point near the entryway to the casita. We were in the market for a trellis to hold a vine that would provide the screening and color we were seeking. We had purchased two trellises the year before at one of the home improvement big box stores, but alas they stopped carrying that trellis and all others were too thin and not “artistic” enough. We looked and looked, but could not find a suitable trellis. We even went as far as visiting a blacksmith to see if we could have one made. That would be no problem if we wanted to pay for a custom trellis. We decided to continue to look. Luckily, we live in Cave Creek, AZ where there are many artist studios and craft shops. After looking quite a while we finally found something that held promise. It was a metal display rack that was slightly damaged. Although it was costly, we felt it was a good deal for the money.

[ This is a detail on the trellis we purchased for use! ]

We wondered if we would be able to modify it to meet our needs. It was a four-fold copper and metal screen that was used to hold sale items. It would have to be cut into separate bi-fold sections to serve as the trellis we envisioned. Let the games begin! The first thing was to get out my hacksaw and cut the masterpiece into two sections. This went smoothly and only caused a modicum of sweat and consternation. Now for the real fun. I am a strong believer of preparing a $100 hole for a $5 plant. The rule of thumb in the desert is to prepare the soil in an area of 3-5 times the circumference of the pot and to the same depth as the pot. Since we were going to be planting a vine and we were confined to the space at hand, I decided to modify the soil to a depth of one foot and for the entire length and width of the planting area. This would give the vine which would grow tall and wide plenty of room. Part of the challenge is to remove all of the stones that are in the dirt used to raise the level of our house to achieve a floodplain variance. There are tons of stones in our soil; literally. The first thing I built upon moving in was a framed, wire mesh sifting device to assist us in removing the stones and it has seen plenty of work.

[ Here I am picking out some landscape rocks to save for use and leaving others to be discarded. ]

My wife and I first removed all of the decorative stone that was used as mulching and covering material. Below is a shot of that stone. We stored the stone on top of drop cloths we had saved for this purpose.

Next, we removed all of the soil to the depth of one foot and sifted it little by little. We then mixed the dirt with composted manure and sand and placed it back into the space. Obviously we had to add quite a bit of material to make up for the rocks removed. We repeated this process until we were finished.

[ Dirt was stored on drop cloths. ]

[ This is how the dirt appeared (right side of plastic lid) prior to our sifting and amending. ]

Below is photo of our cart with the amended soil in it. We added sand, composted manure and the dirt from our yard and mixed it very well. The drainage was excellent when we are finished.

[ The cart with improved soil. ]

After improving half the soil, we used the top of one of our storage bins to mark the modified planting bed on the left from the untouched bed on the right as shown above. Whenever digging in our landscaping as well as most landscapes in the Phoenix, AZ area, one has to be very careful not to cut the water lines. Here is a picture of the exposed water lines that we carefully avoided. If there is an accident, we can repair it without too much difficulty, but t is always wise to avoid the extra work.

[ Above - Notice the water lines toward the bottom of the picture. ]

Once all the dirt was sifted, amended, returned to the bed and both sections of the trellis well-placed, we stood back for a moment to admire our work. The board (pictured) was use to level and space the trellis.

[ Mary admires the trellis as we prepare for the fun part of the project; planting! ]

Read Part II – Plant Stabbings and Other Issues –

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

Garden Sprouts – February 5, 2010

jbross — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:28:56 +0000

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

I didn’t realize that there was a cadre of gardening enthusiasts who practice winter sowing. Winter sowing is the concept of placing the seed outside during the winter in a particular fashion that will encourage it to sprout earlier and grow into a strong plant. It involves some planning, but isn’t much different than other types of “sowing.” Check out the story to read all the details.

http://www.container-gardening-for-you.com/winter-sowing.html

Make a squirrel-proof bird feeder! Nothing can ruin bird watching fun at the bird feeder more than a couple of marauding squirrels. They are clever and pesky and they don’t give up easily. I spent over $100 a number of years ago on a “squirrel proof” bird feeder pole. It had a money-back guarantee and it did work. The problem was that a bear came into our yard and bent it into a pretzel while eating all of the seed in our bird feeder. I didn’t replace it. Here is a way to make your own squirrel proof bird feeder.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Small-simple-horizontally-mounted-squirrel-resista/

Why a walk through the garden may be a good idea even if nothing is actively growing! I loved to walk on the frozen snow where my plants grow in the spring. I would imagine what the garden looked like during the growing season and dream of the upcoming year. This article explains why you SHOULD be walking around your garden during the dormant season.

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2010/01/27/check-for-frost-thaw-heaving/

NYT Talks seeds and truths about those little packets of HOPE. Don’t you hate when someone exclaims how easy it is to grow a particular plant that has caused you nothing but trouble? Get the “skinny” on various plants from the New York Times!

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/garden/21seeds.html

Sansevieria – A Plant for Every Location – Sometimes known as Mother-In-Law Tongue (sorry Mom!) or snake plant! This unheralded plant doesn’t get much respect, but does well and asks for little in return.

http://muskogeephoenixonline.com/blogs/MollyDay/2009/11/sansevieria-plant-for-every-location.html

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – January 20, 2010

jbross — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:18:54 +0000

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

Want to see the 2010 All America Selections Plants? Check the link below.[Note: zinnia pictured is not one of the winners. ]

http://www.all-americaselections.org/Winners.asp

This is the time of the year when garden plans are being made. Here is some information about setting up community gardens. Start now to have a great harvest next year. Get involved with family and friends and perhaps make new friends.

http://hyperlocavore.ning.com/

I grew up in NYC and loved it. I can remember sleeping on the fire escape of our apartment building and the flit guns to take care of the mosquitoes (yes, I am that old!). Even then we had gardens in the big city. Urban gardening is making a comeback. Here is a movie about urban gardens in Brooklyn, NY. If you live in a city, you can garden too!

http://www.vimeo.com/6137263

Noelle, the AZ PLANT LADY, provides tips for growing roses. Also check out her January, 2010 posts to learn about planting roses in the desert during the appropriate planting time. You will learn a lot and enjoy meeting her family.

http://azplantlady.blogspot.com/2009/09/fall-rose-tips-for-desert-garden.html

Oh, no! Body snatchers are eating the locals! A video of the Great White Shark (Bullfrog) of the desert. Another government mess created by people who didn’t think ahead.

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/bg-3020902/fearsome_frogs/

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

Copyright (C) Suntex Communications, 2009. Reprinted from the October 28, 2009 issue of SEEDS with permission of the publisher .

What is an Earth-Kind Rose?

By Stacy Estep
Johnson County Master Gardener

“Earth-Kind” is one of the most prestigious plant designations bestowed by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. It is based on years of extensive field research conducted by Texas A&M horticultural experts. Only a few, very special cultivars (i.e. “varieties”) possess the extremely high levels of landscape performance coupled with the outstanding disease and insect tolerance/resistance that are required in order to receive this designation.

The Earth-Kind Rose Research Program (Phase I) started in the early 1990s with a sponsorship from the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association to find roses suitable as low maintenance landscape plants for Southern gardens. The identification of disease-tolerant, low-maintenance roses that would be handsome shrubs, even without blooms, and provide the extra benefit of flushes of fragrant blooms was of primary importance.

Phase II of the research program, which is funded by the Houston Rose Society, is designed to identify a collection of low-maintenance roses meeting the Earth-Kind criteria that will grow beautifully in every state in America.

Earth-Kind Rose Research (Phase I and II) continues to be conducted by horticultural scientists with Texas AgriLife Extension and the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Dallas, Texas. Hundreds of rose cultivars have been evaluated in this monumental research project.

In order to receive the coveted Earth-Kind designation, test cultivars must pass two very demanding hurdles. First, they must do well in multi-year, randomized, replicated research plots at Texas A&M in Dallas. Second, they must perform equally well in statewide and national field trials. Research protocols require the selected rose cultivars to be evaluated on these criteria:

* Grown on their own roots.
* Be salt tolerant.
* Be tolerant of poor soils.
* Be tolerant to a wide range of soil pH values.
* Be heat, drought, and wind tolerant.
* Be tolerant to rabbit injury.
* Be winter hardy without protection.
* Perform at high levels with no commercial synthetic or organic fertilizer and with no applications of fungicides, insecticides, or miticides on the plants.
* Require no deadheading.
* Require little pruning.
* Perform with greatly reduced supplemental watering.

It was not expected that the test plants would never get blackspot or be damaged by insects. The criteria required that the plants not be significantly impacted by the presence of such conditions. In order to receive the Earth-Kind designation, roses under evaluation could not drop more than 25% of their leaves more than once a year. Earth-Kind Roses may experience minimal leaf drop, but have the ability to quickly shrug off the disease and/or insect damage without intervention.

Currently 19 roses have met these criteria:

* Belinda’s Dream
* Caldwell Pink
* Carefree Beauty
* Climbing Pinkie
* Ducher
* Duchesse de Brabant
* Else Poulsen
* Georgetown Tea
* La Marne
* Marie Daley
* Madame Antoine Mari
* Mutabilis
* New Dawn
* Perle d’ Or
* Red Knock-Out
* Sea Foam
* Souvenir de St. Anne’s
* Spice
* The Fairy

All 100 roses currently being evaluated can be seen in the The National Earth-Kind Trial Garden. The garden is located on 2.5 acres in beautiful Gussie Field Watterworth Park, 2610 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch. This four-year research study consists of 100 cultivars replicated four times for a total of 400 plants. The experimental design utilized in this flagship study is by randomized complete blocks which is considered the strongest design possible for field research. Although the focus of the Earth-Kind program has been on roses and landscape management, trials will soon expand to include Earth-Kind perennials and Earth-Kind shrubs.

If you live in an area that has a climate similar to that of Texas, you may want to subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.promit.com/subscribe.aspx?lid=2

Gardening on the Moon, gratefully acknowledges Suntex Communications for permission to reprint the article.

The original article and newsletter can be seen at this link:
http://www.texasgardener.com/newsletters/091028/default.htm

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – January 5, 2010

jbross — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:44:30 +0000

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

Low light, easy care houseplants – Six Indoor Plants That Love The Dark. For those who have difficulty growing houseplants, this article will provide clues to some of the easiest to grow. Readers are also pointed to those plants that need little light or attention. This is much better than artificial plants!

http://thegardenersrake.com/six-indoor-plants-that-love-the-dark

This link from the Apartment Therapy website provides a group of low-maintenance plant projects which represent some of the best of 2009.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/gardening/easy-lowmaintenance-plant-projectsbest-of-2009-104817

Drought tolerant Correa ‘Ivory Bells’ flowers from Autumn to Spring. I am always on the lookout for plants like this to try in the desert garden. My experience has shown that some correas have difficulty handling the intense heat and rays of the summer sun of the Sonoran Desert.

http://greenforks.com/2009/10/correa-ivory-bells-choosing-to-flower-from-autumn-to-spring/

This article details several of the largest , smelliest and most bizarre flowers in the world.

http://gardeninggarden.com/2009/11/03/the-largest-smelliest-and-most-bizarre-flowers-in-the-world/

on Flickr" />

Plant Suggestions for 2010 from the White Flower Farm. Anyone who has gardened in the northeast will most likely be familiar with the White Flower Farm. I have visited on several occasions and they are one of the foremost plant distributors on the east coast. It is always interesting to learn of their recommendations for new plant material.

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2009/11/14/plant-suggestions-for-2010/

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

Many of those who view my blog are garden aficionados and know a great deal about a wonderful variety of plants. There are two columns listed below. One has numbers and one has letters. Can you match the letters to the correct numbered item? How many you can match correctly? A link to the answers will be at the bottom of the post.

Bonus Question – In addition, all of these plants have at least one thing in common. Not something obvious like “They all have leaves, or roots, etc.,” but something different or unique. Do you know the common characteristic? The answer to this question will also be included in the link below*.

Good luck to all of my gardening “expert” friends!

**********************************

1. Lantana camara	a. Golden Pathos
2. Devil’s ivy	b. Mansoa alliacea
3. Moth Orchid	c. Saintpaulia
4. Hedera Helix	d. Spathiphyllum
5. Parlor Ivy	e. Feston Rose
6. African violet	f. Heartleaf Philodendron
7. Christmas Cactus	g. Hippeastrum
8. Yellow Goddess	h. English Ivy
9. Garlic Vine	i. Schlumbergera or Zygocactus
10. Peace Lily	j. Phalaenopsis

**********************************

For the answers, click HERE

* The referenced article is the source for the above information.

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – December 5, 2009

jbross — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:43:08 +0000

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

This post is not that unusual. We had friends in NJ who had this problem on a yearly basis and although Ladybugs are good, there’s a pointat which…

When it comes to Lady Bugs, can there be too much of a good thing? This video starts with short commercial; sorry!

http://www.cnn.com/video/?JSONLINK=/video/us/2009/07/11/vanderveen.ladybug.infestation.kusa

This is the time of year when gifts may be on the minds of many readers. Here is an article to help identify Gifts for Gardner’s – Look here first for some unusual garden-gift ideas!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/29/AR2009102905110.html

This is a fun recipe that has numerous variations. Chocolate cake in a mug is fun to try even if it isn’t the best chocolate cake. If you have a chocolate craving, it can satisfy!

http://dyingforchocolate.blogspot.com/2009/05/5-minute-chocolate-cake-in-mug.html

Top 10 Poisonous Plants – Do you know about these poisonous plants which may be around your house or workplace?

http://www.livescience.com/strangenews/top10_poisonous_plants-1.html

How to Lick a Slug – Why it is important to have children learn and become interested in nature. It is ALMOST as important as reading; really!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/opinion/02kristof.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1249221713-saubWvZIZtVIdAs7gkZPRQ

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

Desert Herb Garden II – November 4, 2009

jbross — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:32:10 +0000

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

The desert herb garden comes alive once again in the fall months of October and November. During the tour of the herb garden, we were treated to a wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors.

Read Part I of the Desert Herb Garden Tour, November 4, 2009

The colorful red-orange Ornamental Pomegranate flower.

One of the surprises was the Ornamental Pomegranate. While I wouldn’t want to deal with the falling fruit, in an appropriate area it would be very attractive. The bright orange-red flowers are quite striking.

The amazing large Purple Hyacinth Bean.

The Purple Hyacinth Bean was perhaps the most striking plant in the herb garden. It was huge! Between the bean pods and the flowers, the amount of purple on display was significant. This plant would be an attention-getter in any setting. One caveat, however, is that the seed pods (beans) are poisonous! The dark green leaves and purple highlights make this a very attractive plant.

A close up of the Purple Hyacinth Bean.

Another outstanding performer this time of year (as well as most of the spring and summer) is the Queen’s Wreath vine. This plant was sprawling across a large section of the garden using neighbors as a foil for its pink display. The bounty of small pink flowers put on quite a show.

Queen’s Wreath enveloped in a blanket of pink flowers!

Of course this is the desert and no desert herb garden would be complete without a mix of a few aloes. The purple Russian Sage along side the Aloe make a fine contrasting display and keep the bees very happy!

Russian Sage with contrasting silver-green Aloe.

Interestingly, the garden had Sesame plants which provided a bounty of seeds for birds and people alike. In the desert, one needs to be fast to beat the animals to the bounty or at least use some intervention to save the “pay off.”

The Sesame plant.

A close up of the Sesame seed pod.

This day the Tacoma stans ‘Orange Jubilee’ was one of the showiest specimens of this particular plant that I have seen. The beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers against the dark green leaves and blue sky was a knock out!

A beautiful orange display of the Tacoma sans ‘Orange Jubilee.’

Another occupant of the herb garden space was a white hollyhock that was experiencing a rejuvenation and putting on its display of white! October, November and early December are wonderful days in the desert herb garden.

An elegant white Hollyhock strutting its stuff!

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – November 20, 2009

jbross — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:41:39 +0000

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

It may be very hard for some readers to believe that AZ is noted for exporting roses. In the Sonoran Desert environment, many of the David Austin roses do very well with modified care.

http://www.cultivatinglife.com/David-Austin-Roses.html

Click for list of recommended roses for the desert garden.

Click to see photos of some of the recommended roses for the desert.

Onion Recycling – How to have scallions on demand with this simple bit of gardening frugality! An onion recycling tutorial.

http://mybyrdhouse.blogspot.com/2008/05/onion-recycling-tutorial.html

Many areas of the US are facing water shortages. Save money (and water!) with rain barrels. You may also want to find a local permaculture organization.

http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2009/06/04/how-to-save-money-water-with-rain-barrels-dfa/

For those who enjoy watching and cultivating visits from hummingbirds, the Sonoran Desert is a good place to set up shop. There are many hummingbirds that make their home in this tough environment. If you plant brightly colored tubular flowers, you are almost guaranteed regular visitors.

Here is one method of getting a very close up view of hummingbirds coming to feed at a feeder; wear a hummingbird feeder hat!

http://vimeo.com/2643504

One way to add some whimsy to the garden and ask your friends to “have a seat” is to plant a garden chair. This PDF formatted tutorial provides step-by-step instructions. The hardest part will be locating a suitable chair!

http://www.resene.co.nz/homeown/gardens/WeekendGardener_15.pdf

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

Desert Herb Garden I – November 4, 2009

jbross — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:06:01 +0000

Written by Jeff

A wonderful thing about living in the Sonoran desert for gardeners is that there are so many “seasons” with which to work. OK, the summer really isn’t too workable since we are busy trying to get our plants to survive. As a matter of fact, the people are trying to “survive” the heat as well.

We do have two distinct planting seasons however and this provides much opportunity for renewal and new-plant exploration. As part of the November 4, 2009 Master Gardener Update, Carolyn Hills (a master herb gardener and chicken-raising expert) gave attendees a tour of the demonstration herb garden. As the tour progressed, she provided hints about each of the plants and their possible uses.

Of course there were some plants that weren’t herbs that had to be admired as well. As you will note from the following photos, there are numerous plants growing and rejuvenating themselves in the fall growing season in the Sonoran Desert garden.

There were several varieties of basil. After all, what would an herb garden be without basil? Below is one basil plant that has been held over several growing seasons and has very woody stems.

Unkown basil variety with woody stem

Of course there was plenty of basil to go around and it was a good thing as the bees were extremely busy.

Basil in bloom with pollinators hard at work!

I was unfamiliar with Hibiscus sabdariffa, but I was immediately taken in by the beautiful seed pods. This particular plant is used in various cultures to make tea with “special properties”.

More information about Hibiscus sabdariffa can be found here.

The datura grows freely in the Sonoran desert and it’s “protected” because it is poisonous to most animals. This naturally showy native has been hybridized and the garden had a mature purple datura in full bloom. Below are two pictures of this beauty!

Close up of the Purple datura flower

More information about the native datura can be found here.

There was another purple stunner in the garden this day as well. It was a purple pepper plant (variety unknown). I am glad Peter Piper didn’t have to pick a purple pepper or we would all be speaking with twisted tongues!

This purple pepper is as pretty as many flowers

Also putting on a showy display were several pockets of garlic chives; good to eat and pretty to look at!

Garlic chives a dainty contrast to the rest of the garden

If you are in the Phoenix area and you care to visit the desert demonstration garden, it is located at 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix, AZ 85040. You may contact the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension at (602) 827-8200.

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – November 5, 2009

jbross — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:54:16 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

AZ Plant Lady provides some instruction in pairing textures, colors and shapes in the desert landscape; a good read with inspiration.

http://www.azplantlady.com/2009/10/beautiful-plant-combinations.html

Make Your Own, Ummm…Fake Your Own Sundried Tomatoes via Park Seed

http://images.parkseed.com/parksgardens/pem001289/ParkNews8pem001289ai.html#sundried

Ten Amazing or at least Interesting plants; especially the Romanesco Broccoli.

http://www.supertightstuff.com/02/08/pictures/tight-pictures/top-10-amazing-plants/

25 No-Cost (or Low-Cost) Garden Tools

http://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/tools/no-cost-or-low-cost-garden-tools/

Some think the desert is devoid of seasons. Surprise; not so! Five Seasons of Tucson, AZ.

http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/tucsonecology/climate/seasons.htm

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Easy Composter

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – October 16, 2009

jbross — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 12:56:56 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Those living in the desert are always seeking plant material that will survive the harsh conditions and lend themselves to Xeriscape gardening. The article referenced begins with “Yellow Bells,” and provides links to other suitable dessert plants at the bottom.

http://phoenix.about.com/od/desertplantsandflowers/a/yellowbells.htm?nl=1

Experience Hodding Carter’s foray into organic fruit growing and other garden adventures and learn some frugality tips along the way.
Extreme Frugality: No More Mr. Nice Guy – From Gourmet magazine’s website. Unfortunately the magazine is no longer being published.

http://www.gourmet.com/food/2009/06/extreme-frugality-no-more-mr-nice-guy

There are few places with more pests than the Sonoran desert. We have ample supply of spiders, scorpiens, ants and crickets to name a few. 18 Tips for a more green pest management strategy – Pick up several new ideas!

http://webecoist.com/2009/06/12/18-tips-for-super-green-pest-control/

Learn to make a birdbath from flowerpots. It might look good with plain, aged terracotta as well. Patricia’s Pots shows you how. http://www.patriciaspots.com/birdbathhowto.htm

Get ready for next spring. Find out why Epsom Salt can be a gardener’s friend – Garden Benefits, Why It Works, Garden Usage Tips.

http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/garden_usage_tips.htm

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

From Gardens that Bake to Gardens That Shake – Part I

jbross — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:05:10 +0000

Written by Jeff

Details are in the hover notes – move cursor over image

It was indeed a great escape although we didn’t know it at the time. We left for Minnesota for a few days to visit family and friends and get in a bit of hiking. While we were gone, temperatures in the Cave Creek area of Arizona set new records for heat. We, however, were hiking along the shores of Lake Superior where temperatures were in the very cool fifties and forties and wind-chill added even more to the coldness.

As we arrived, we were thanked for bringing the rain which is quite amusing. We had less than three inches of rain in our desert since January where rain is scarce to begin with and we were being given credit for the rain showers that scattered across Minnesota for three of the five days we were there. Ironic! (Minnesota needed the rain as they were in the midst of a summer drought.)

Nevertheless, we were not to be deterred. What do gardeners do on vacation? They visit gardens. This was the first time in 2.5 years that we were in gardens of the northern climes and we were glad to see some old floral friends and new discoveries.

We began our garden adventure at the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, but it was a rainy, nasty day. The flowers were still beautiful, but the rain turned this into a drive-thru experience which is not the best for examining gardens. Here is a picture of one of their fall displays near the entrance.

One of the Arboretum’s Fall Displays

All was not lost on this day however as we found this unique bottle tree (not to be confused with the popular bottle brush plant) in the parking lot of Surdyk’s Liquor store.

We began another day at the farmers market where a variety of bouquets were available for purchase.

Sunflowers,

dahlias

and a variety of mixes (some with these prickly ball-type plants that research revealed was a native of southeast Africa and is in the milkweed family; Asclepias physocarpa, commonly called Balloon Plant). Read more about this unusual puff of prickly green at Wikipedia.

There were also large varieties of gourds, squash and peppers to feast one’s eyes upon.

The quilts, artistically arranged, fit in well among the flowers!

To be continued ….

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – October 1, 2009

jbross — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:43:30 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Some find tree pruning perplexing. Here is a site to help. I recommend always using the “1,2,3″ or “3-Step” method to avoid damaging the tree.

http://www.tree-pruning.com/index.html

Undecided about which plants to divide in the Fall? P. Allen Smith has some ideas for you to consider.

http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=16665

Could it be that they finally found a “cure” for Kudzu? If you’ve seen it eating the South, you know why this is an important event if true!

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/jul09/fungus0709.htm

Hibiscus flowers are a favorite in the AZ desert and apparently elsewhere as well. We have to “humor” the javelina which try to devour our hibiscus plants, but when strategically placed, they offer an excellent display over a long growing period.

http://bit.ly/liXUg and http://gardentenders.com/projects/420

Who says an aquarium has to be all about fish? All over the world planted aquarium enthusiasts practice the art of underwater gardening. Keeping tropical fish is one of the largest hobbies in the United States. This would be a way to combine both passions; gardening and aquariums.

http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-aquascaping-pictures,0,6101092.photogallery

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Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – September 18, 2009

jbross — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:59:10 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

One thing that may be missed when making the move from New Jersey to the Sonoran Desert is the wonderful fall change of leaves. Luckily, Arizona is a large state and there is ample opportunity to see the leaves change. Two resources to help determine the best time to visit the AZ north country are the Fall Color Hotline at 1-800-354-4595 and the Weather.com foliage color map.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/driving/fallfoliage/regiondetail/az3

In the Sonoran desert there is still plenty of tomato growing time in our “second season.” If tomatoes are a favorite, you might want to review how to build a TORMATO. Even if your tomatoes are done for this year, read about this special growing device and perhaps you can create a couple during the winter months for use next spring/summer.

http://www.itsatormato.com/

After waging the battle to grow those special herbs and spices, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to use them for as long as possible? Drying herbs may seem confusing, but there are simple rules to follow that will help you succeed. P. Allen Smith shares his advice and “know how” with gardeners in this informative video.

http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=8&video=924

Hiking is one of our favorite seasonal pastimes and in the southwest, it pays to know about treating rattlesnake bites. We had a thirty inch diamondback on our patio last year taking advantage of the cool tile on a very hot afternoon. This link will provide some basic information about rattlesnake bites. My advice is be careful and be alert at all times when hiking in their territory.

http://freeoutdoors.com/blog/?p=739

I think this is a really cool, artistic project that I can almost guarantee will raise your garden credentials and elicit numerous oohs and aahs. I am talking about making concrete leaf ornaments. If you develop this skill, you can even make a bird feeder by cupping one a bit more and placing some see there. Perhaps a mini-pond can be made as well.

http://www.concretegardenleaves.com/concrete-leaf.htm

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

Powdery Mildew: A Garden Problem Solved?

jbross — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:06 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

For those who might have the problem of powdery mildew, here is one solution proposed by Landscape Designer Thomas Mickey which he learned from “The Avant Gardener.” Read the entire column at The Garden Rant: A Question of Maintenance – http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/2009/09/guest-post-thomas-mickey.html

“1 tablespoon dormant oil, 1 heaping tablespoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoons insecticidal soap (I used regular liquid dish soap since the amount was so low) per gallon. Sprayed the concoction a few times over several days. Worked just great. A real consequence of maintenance!”

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – September 1, 2009

jbross — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:28:25 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Do you have potting bench envy? Did you always want to have a nice, organized potting area? Well, I can’t promise the organized part; that would be up to you. Here are some plans for a reasonably easy-to-build potting bench for those who want to turn their neighbors green in more ways than one! One nicety provided is a download of the plans in colorful PDF format!

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/2429/build-a-potting-bench

There are few things as satisfying as growing something that finds its way to the dinner table. With herbs, the satisfaction can last even longer as spices can be saved and used for many months. P. Allen Smith demonstrates how to make oils, vinegars and sachets from homegrown herbs.

http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=16584

The National Geographic article, Plants That Will Suck Your Yard Dry, begins by stating “Nearly 2 billion people already live in water-stressed regions…” Learn which plants they recommend avoiding if you live in one of these regions and learn about a few plants that can tolerate and even thrive with less water.

http://www.thegreenguide.com/home-garden/garden/drought-resistant-plants/

It seems to me that one thing most gardeners enjoy almost as much as gardening, is looking at photographs of other gardens. Culling ideas from photos is a major interest even if one just admires a variety of color combinations. Here is the Kew Gardens Garden Photographer of the Year winners. Click the categories below the main picture at the site to see more!

http://www.igpoty.com/competition01/winners.asp

If you want an easy and inexpensive way to calibrate your in-ground sprinklers, follow these instructions from WikiHow.

http://www.wikihow.com/Calibrate-Your-Sprinklers

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – August 14, 2009

jbross — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:14:28 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Dangerous Plants-While house and garden plants may seem innocuous, some of them can be lethal under certain circumstances and many can just make a person very ill. It is always good to be aware of which plants may be harmful to humans and pets. This site may load slowly.

http://webecoist.com/2008/09/16/16-most-unassuming-yet-lethal-killer-plants/

Slate Flowerpot - A slate board flowerpot is a cute idea from Martha Stewart. I saw these early this spring at World Market and didn’t initially realize why chalk was attached to the flowerpot and then it dawned on me. This would make an interesting party gift.

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=240e0bf9b90e4110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&xsc=eml_crd_2008_03_27

Quick Irrigation System -If you are in the need for a quick-and-dirty irrigation system, this might just be the answer. While it might serve on a temporary basis, I am not convinced that this would be a long-range solution under many circumstances.

http://www.wikihow.com/Set-up-an-Inexpensive-Irrigation-System

Build a Lattice Screen - Lattice screens can be very useful for blocking unsightly air conditioners or trash bins. This lattice screen bills itself as “easy.”

http://www.canadiangardening.com/how-to/projects/easy-to-build-lattice-screen/a/1319

Grow Your Own Pineapple – When I tried to grow a pineapple from the top of one we used for a desert, I thought it could be approached just like the top of a carrot; boy was I wrong! There is a unique process that needs to be followed to achieve success and avoid causing the pineapple crown to ROT. Yikes! Children will find this a wonderful activity.

http://yougrowgirl.com/grow/save_pineapple.php

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – July 30, 2009

jbross — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:29:01 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

The Reader’s Digest provides a list of what it considers to be “10 Essential Herbs to Grow.” Each plant is described in a couple of short paragraphs detailing the use of each herb and some planting tips. Links to some recipes follow. Unfortunately, this is presented in an annoying layout that forces a new page click for each herb, but for those who want to see if these would be their ten essential herbs, it is worth a quick look.

http://www.rd.com/advice-and-know-how/10-herbs-to-grow/article132247.html

P.Allen Smith highlights Calibrachoa Superbells Red/Million Bells. In the desert these did very well in the spring, but the strong UV rays of summer and the rabbits have taken their toll. They are still alive and hanging on in the Phoenix area, but it is a struggle. In other areas of the country they should be superb!

http://www.pallensmith.com/index.php?id=1645&plantid=3609&plant=Calibrachoa

This is an interesting idea about garden markers (especially for herbs) made from polymer clay. If you have trouble keeping the markers in your garden looking neat and legible through the growing season, try these special accent markers.

http://www.reesedixon.com/2008/08/herb-garden-markers.html

I hadn’t heard the term microgreens prior to this post, but it sounds tasty. I enjoy sprouts and very young vegetables when they are mixed with other vegetables and served cold during the summer.

http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2009/02/05/sprouts-and-microgreens-edible-houseplants/

Being a creative artist is hard enough when using most materials, but when creating art with media that is alive it is an ultimate challenge. Not only does the artist have all of the requirements of any other artist, they must also worry about the health and welfare of that living material. These are amazing ventures into the world of “tree art.” I think you will be impressed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWX51_1UF3A

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The Desert at My Door

jbross — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 13:34:51 +0000

Written by Jeff

John Alcock wears many hats and while wearing each of them he seems to find a good deal of humor and obvious wonderment. On a recent day Mr. Alcock was addressing the Maricopa County, AZ Master Gardeners to discuss his front-yard desert landscape. It wasn’t always a desert landscape, but he decided that it needed to be restored to a more native environment to reduce the amount of labor and resources needed to take care of it. At one time, there was a Bermuda grass lawn in the front and as Mr. Alcock noted at the start his presentation, “Phoenix is not Bermuda!”

Mr. Alcock has numerous credentials that classify him as an “expert” in the ecology of the Sonoran Desert. He is professor Emeritus in the Life Sciences department of Arizona State University and he has written books about the Arizona desert; Sonoran Desert Spring and Sonoran Desert Summer.

As he began his presentation, Mr. Alcock pointed out the way in which Bermuda grass was making inroads into the wild areas of the desert and has become an invasive plant in several areas, especially along riparian zones.

Referring to Edward Abbey, author of Desert Solitaire, he took minor offense at Abbey’s assertion that Arches National Park in Utah was the prettiest place on earth. Much of the research done by the John Alcock focused on areas of the Usery Mountains which he claims is as beautiful as any place on earth when in bloom or during certain stormy periods.

Throughout the presentation, it was very obvious Mr. Alcock has strong negative feelings about certain types of landscaping:

Monoculture – a large mass of only one flower or plant. During the spring in the desert, this can be seen when certain yards appear full of African Daisies or Lantana with little or nothing else in cultivation. (While from an aesthetic point of view, I might disagree with part of this argument, from a gardening point of view it makes good sense. If a pest or disease enters the garden and finds your monoculture plant a wonderful host, it will cause a significant problem and potential catastrophic failure. It also sidesteps proven garden design principles such as vary the texture and color of landscape materials.)

Zeroscape – This is a yard or area with no plant material at all. (I have seen some very creative yards done mostly in hardscape of varying proportions, but having some plant material would provide more interest and serve the environment well.)

Bougainvillea made the list of no-nos as well. (I happen to like Bougainvillea especially when the plant gets large and flowers profusely as it does several times a year in the desert. Yes, this is not a native plant, but it is well adapted and provides long-lasting color. )

What Mr. Alcock proposes instead is “looking to the desert” for inspiration. He began to dismantle his non-xeriscape yard in the late 1980s and worked on it through 2004. One quickly realizes that Professor Alcock doesn’t worry about consistency, rigorous schedules and many of the gardening fine points. He fertilizes whenever he decides it is the correct time. I am not certain that many would whole-heartedly emulate Mr. Alcock’s front yard, which was completely desert-landscaped by 2004. It survives primarily on natural rainfall with only a rare supplemental watering. Once a plant has taken hold (about six months) it isn’t watered on a regular schedule.

Of course there are certain desert plants that are pretty and they were highlighted by Mr. Alcock (comments after plant names are mine):

Penstemon – These come in a variety of colors and the hummingbirds seem to favor them. Another benefit is that they seem to self-sow readily and transplant well when done in the fall or early spring.

Chuparosa – This bush can get straggly, but it definitely attracts the hummers who like the long, thin, tubular red flowers. Kept tidy, it can make a very nice display. I have seen some that were nothing but masses of orange-red flowers.

Globe Mallow – This plant can be seen growing on the side of the roads in some very hot locations. It has a somewhat short blooming period, but when it is bushy and in bloom, it puts on a spectacular display of orange flowers. I have also seen some pink Globe Mallows, but they are hard to find and a real treasure in any garden.

Lupine – Another plant that grows wild in the desert during the spring. They are pretty even when not in flower because of their interesting, velvety leaves.

Fairy Duster – While the presenter highlighted this plant, I must say that the only variety I think is worthy is the Baja Fairy Duster that has puffy, red flowers. The native pink Fairy Duster always looks like it is past its prime as the light pink flowers appear to be fading soon after they bloom.

Chia – Yes there really is a Chia plant. These are not spectacular bloomers, but have an interesting growth form which can serve as a point of interest in the garden. Click for more information about the Chia plant.

Creosote Bush – This is one plant that will take care of itself. I love to walk in the desert after a rain and smell the pungent odors emitted by the different plants especially the Creosote Bush. The flowers are not spectacular, but in a year when they flower heavily, the cotton-like clusters of the faded flowers are decorative.

Ironwood Tree – It is ironic, but until this year, I really didn’t appreciate the Ironwoods in all of their pink splendor. This year they bloomed prolifically and they seemed to be everywhere. I agree that this tree is a keeper and the bees seem to love it as well.

Desert Foothill Palo Verde – This tree puts on a nice show when it is in bloom. The tiny yellow flowers provide plenty of interest to the bees and the trees come alive with a buzzing sound. I prefer not to prune these heavily and leave them in a more natural form, but more often than not, they are pruned to please man, not nature. When heavily pruned to a top-heavy canopy, they are prone to being uprooted during the “monsoon” season storms. Click for more information about the Desert Foothill Palo Verde.

Mr. Alcock then transitioned the discussion by relating how he grows his vegetable garden in the front yard because it is the only adequate exposure he has. Front yard gardens can be attractive if done right and if kept neat. He enjoys two distinct planting seasons. The fall planting season (starting in October) finds cool-weather crops in his landscape:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Swiss Chard (his specialty)
Spinach
Dwarf Oregon Snowpeas – “Mammoth Melting”

Plant residents in the summer (end of Feb., beginning March) veggie garden are:

Zucchini – (hand pollinate until the bees discover them – they have male and female flower)
Eggplant
Basil
Tomatoes – (Yellow Pear although not the best) “Check the Too Many Tomatoes cookbook for more information.

As noted above, Mr. Alcock is very knowledgeable about a variety of desert flora and fauna. There are numerous types of bees that find their home in the Sonoran desert and he knows them well. Besides the Honey Bee, there is the “digger bee“ (Centris pallida) which makes a nest by burrowing into the ground almost a foot deep. This is no easy task; just ask a desert gardener. We have shovels, but the poor bees need to use their mandibles! The brood cell is filled with nectar and other sustaining items. Only one egg is laid in each nest and then the process is repeated. This generally takes two or three days for each brood cell. The female lives for a month. The male digger bees can sense when a female is going to emerge from the nest and they begin to dig down to find her. Unfortunately for the first one on the scene there is no Mr. Nice guy here and a number of males compete to be the first to find the female and fly off to mate with her. The spring hatching activity takes place over a period of about two months.

A fact that Mr. Alcock noted was that only female bees sting. Males don’t have stingers.

Palo Verdes provide targets for Carpenter Bees and wasps. Desert Senna also is of interest to the carpenter bees. I never realized that bees have so many predators. Mr. Alcock showed a slide of a Brittlebush stalk with bees lined up head to rear covering a good length of the stalk. Against the darkening sky, the antennae were clearly visible. This turns out to be a protection scheme. As Assassin bugs and other predators seek a meal, the bees sleep together reducing the chances that any one bee will be singled out for dinner. I wonder what the Vegas odds on that are?

Assassin beetle picture (click on link) – NOTE– This was not the exact species of Assassin bug addressed by Mr. Alcock. There are many different insects with this name.

A few days before this presentation, my wife and I were at our local library and we were admiring the desert milkweed (nothing like the traditional milkweed found in the northern part of the country) and on the milkweed were these small, pretty black and red bugs. I had no idea what type of bug they were, but Mr. Alcock had pictures and explained that this is a “true bug” called the milkweed bug; how appropriate. Apparently they also like Desert Marigolds.

Desert Milkweed bug picture

Throughout the lecture Mr. Alcock peppered the audience with quips and interesting facts. When queried about Lyme disease in the desert, he pointed out that the tick is really not an insect, but rather an arachnid. I never appreciated that! If you enjoy this subject matter and learning more about the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert, I recommend Mr. Alcock’s books. He has a new title coming out soon: When the Rains Come: A Naturalist’s Year in the Sonoran Desert. I am sure you will learn a good deal and be entertained by his wry, humorous style.

References:

Usery Mountain Park -Mesa, Arizona

http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/places/usery.html

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – July 14, 2009

jbross — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:32:08 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Strut your gardening stuff with Park Seed’s Tempting Tomatoes Photo Contest (2009) – Check link for details

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/GP/gatepage/tempting-tomatoes-photo-contest?cid=pem001670

The University of Missouri Extension Center has a fine article describing how to build a compost bin. The article has very detailed information from getting started to keeping the compost pile healthy. A good resource for everything you need to know about composting.

http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=G6956

Back yards are not only an oasis for the garden owner and family, but it can be a haven for birds as well. The Daily Green provides ideas and information to help make your garden a retreat for feathered friends. (At the website, click the arrows at the sides of the picture to advance.)

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/bird-gardens-47022602

Apparently “no dig” gardens are possible as this article explains. I read Ruth Stout’s book many years ago and it was full of good ideas and inspiration. Sad that she is no longer with us.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/04/try-no-dig-gardening-for-your-backyard-vegetables.php

This is a unique idea; rain gutter gardens! I never saw this before and it certainly won’t work for me in the AZ desert, but might work for others in more temperate environments. (Quite a novel idea in the right place like the side of a shed.)

http://www.juneauempire.com/stories/072508/nei_309624417.shtml

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

Garden Sprouts (quick posts from other sites) – June 29, 2009

jbross — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:45:33 +0000

Written by Jeff

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

Here is a way to use welded iron mesh and moderate materials to create a growing trellis that is functional and nice to look at; especially when plants are covering it.

http://www.digginfood.com/2009/03/inexpensive-diy-vegetable-trellis/

This is an on-line garden planner. I haven’t seen many of these and this may be exactly the thing that will help you design your next garden. There are several “canned” plans and helpful tools. If you do give it a try, please leave a comment so others may benefit from your experience.

http://www.smallblueprinter.com/garden/planner.html

For tomato growers, here is an interesting wicking system for keeping them growing long & strong. Lots of downloads, hints and ideas.

http://earthtainer.tomatofest.com/

If your ears perk up when you hear “This spud’s for you?,” then this post about how to grow 100 pounds of potatoes in 4 square feet of space is made for you.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2002347126_potatoes25.html

Gardeners tend to be a thrifty bunch and if you fall into this category, perhaps you would like to create your own seedling pots from newspaper. According to the wikiHow’s post it is rather easy and straight forward. There is a video for additional reference.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Newspaper-Seedling-Pots

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