writen by Jeff

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Wait! Don’t Eat that Celery!

With all the environmental problems we are facing it is getting much more difficult to decide what is safe, or should I say safer to eat than other things. Some of our favorite fruits and vegetables are those that are most heavily sprayed. The link below will bring you to a downloadable chart of vegetables which are sprayed with pesticides less than others.

Download pesticide guide

Enough Pumpkin for 1000 pies

It seems that everyone is bragging about their watermelons and pumpkins. Not the fruits, but the plants. The fruits won’t be ready for quite some time. What a labor of love to nurse those “babies” through the hot and perhaps humid summer in hopes of reaping those sweet rewards.

Would you like to grow an award winning pumpkin? One from which you can make 1000 pies?! Read about Jodi Torpey’s experience at the link below!

Enough Pumpkin for 1000 pies

Lavender envelope sachets

I have to admit I am not crazy about the smell (or taste for that matter) of lavender. One thing I do like, however is that out here in the Sonoran Desert there are some varieties that can “ignore” the scorching heat and grow very happily. I know I may be in the minority when it comes to the smell of lavender. If you are a lavender lover, this project seems to be quick and easy. Did I mention it makes a nice home made gift?

Pretty Lavender Envelope Sachets: {How-To}

Find yourself in a Pickle!

A Dilly of a Post – Make Pickles. Many kinds of pickles! 14 kinds to be exact

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

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The weather has turned hot this week and we are not likely to see many days below 100 degrees until the fall.

Many of the winter/spring plants such as geraniums, petunias, etc. have thrown in the towel. Another plant has not exactly thrown in the towel as much as it is “coming home after the ball!” I am talking about the Saguaros. They were blooming extensively over the last several weeks. The wet winter obviously agreed with them and enabled them to store up the energy they needed for such a spectacular show. The picture below depicts how the saguaros look throughout most of the year. Impressive, but the floral jewelry is gone.

Some time during May, the Saguaro’s begin to show their little nubs something like the ear’s of Shrek!

You can see the many nubs below with one flower.

Here is a closeup of the flower with the numerous buds!

Below is a picture of one Saguaro flower after it has fallen from the cactus.

After the flower falls, the fruits develop and turn red. Native Americans used them as a food source and I am told they are very sweet.

Long before the fruits develop completely, birds such as Curve Bills and Doves begin to hover over them to claim their loot. They will watch them and when they are ripe, they will devour them. When they aren’t eating the ripe fruit, they are busy keeping other birds away.

Below is a picture of a dove watching over the ripening fruit (center, right).

While this year’s display is almost over, I can look forward to an encore next year!

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

Fine Gardening provides a very good video describing techniques to boost seed-sowing success; warm soak, scarification, cold stratification. While you are at the site, take advantage of other video offerings at the bottom of the screen such as “artificial light for seedlings” and “seed savers exchange”

http://www.finegardening.com/how-to/videos/seed-starting-pre-treat.aspx

Martha Stewart has many wondeful gardening ideas. Although she isn’t the only person to propose a planting yardstick, she does provide a good post explaining how to make and use one. I had one of these when I gardened in NJ and it was very helpful especially when planting rows of seeds/seedlings.  NOTE – photo above is NOT the yardstick from the article.

http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/planters-yardstick



In my former home, I had 3/4 of an acre of lawn. It took me three hours to cut the lawn using a walk behind, large format lawn mower. I preferred not to use a riding mower because it enabled me to get close the lawn to see if problems were developing. In addition, I didn’t have all of that extra weight traveling over my manicured lawn. I just included this as part of my exercise.

One secret I learned that proved very helpful was to keep the grass long (3.25 inches) to help shade the ground to keep it cool and moist. There are several other interesting tips included in the post at the link below. I think you will find these worth considering.

Five shortcuts to a Perfect Lawn – http://www.diylife.com/2010/05/25/5-shortcuts-to-a-perfect-lawn/

Most have heard about resistant germs caused by the overuse of anti-bacterials, etc. Well, what if there were a group of super weeds developing because of the overuse of weed killers? Read about that potential from this NYT article and ponder the consequences.

Invasion of the Superweeds – http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/invasion-of-the-superweeds/

Complete Seed Starters Resources - from Chiot’s Run

Why Start from Seed – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/10/seed-starting-101-why-start-from-seed/

Getting Started – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/11/seed-starting-101-getting-started/

Containers – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/12/seed-starting-101-containers/

Soil Mix – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/13/seed-starting-101-soil-mix/

The Needs of Seeds – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/14/seed-starting-101-the-needs-of-seeds/

Workflow (of blogger) – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/17/seed-starting-101-my-workflow/

Disease and Problems – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/18/seed-starting-101-diseases-and-problems/

Hardening Off – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/19/seed-starting-101-hardening-off/

Transplanting – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/20/seed-starting-101-transplanting/

Learn More Each Season – http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/21/seed-starting-101-learn-more-each-season/

Written by Jeff

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Many of the cacti in the Sonoran Desert are finishing their spectacular bloom cycle. Lucky for those who live in this amazing area, cacti provide a show with many acts. From the time they set buds, through blooming and then with decorative seed pods, there is beauty to behold.

Above is a Prickly Pear cactus in our landscape with a good number of spade-shaped buds.

In these pictures, they serve as a crown for the pad of the host plant. Each bud seems to resemble a small artichoke.

When the time is right, those tightly packed buds explode into bloom.

Notice the cup-like structure on the left in the picture above which adds interest even after the bloom has fallen to the ground.

Cholla buds (pictured above) are a bit more complex. They crowd together at the ends of the branches bringing bits of color to the bundles of thorns. Keep your distance from these cacti because they are eager to grab on and hitch a ride.

When in bloom the Chollas offer even more color.

Cactus buds (below) can be quite bright in color even when smaller. This is a small unnamed cactus that was given to me and which the Javelinas enjoy munching on from time-to-time.

The red buds emerge for several days and explode into color, but last for only a day or two.

There are other stories about cactus and their blooms, but that is for a later post!

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

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  I don’t know how the Proven Winners LLC does it, but they manage to hybridize some fantastic plants. Here they are offering recommendations with at least one “new-to-me” plant thrown in. I am anxious to try the Snow Princess™ Lobularia hybrid in our arid and scorching climate. I want to see where in my landscape, if anywhere, it will survive. I had to water Alyssum daily last year to keep it going. Look at some of the other plants on the list as well.

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  One way to get more plants for your collection or to give away, is to take cuttings. Cuttings are also a good solution if there is a plant you have that is hard to find or one-of-a-kind. This can be very rewarding and it is also fun. At Chiot’s Run, they explain their system for achieving a 75-80% success rate with their cuttings. Read the post to learn how to be successful at increasing your bounty in a fun and economical manner.

http://chiotsrun.com/2010/05/07/propagating-with-stem-cuttings/

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  OK, so you have taken the time and energy to grow a fantastic cutting garden and you enjoy bringing the flowers inside to be appreciated throughout the day. Questions need to be answered regarding the best way to take care of these cut jewels so that they can be enjoyed for as long as possible and celebrated in the best way. This PDF document by Amy Stewart, author of Flower Confidential, should help resolve some of the issues.

http://www.amystewart.com/images/pdfs/cutflowerhandoutMed.pdf

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  Earthworms have always had a reputation for being remarkable workers. They move lots of soil and aerate the ground while working their tunneling magic. This recent study, however, suggests a hidden side. They are not the solitary creatures we might have thought they were, but seem to like being in groups and making “joint decisions.” Read more about these enlightening findings at the link below.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8604000/8604584.stm

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  In this video posted on the Fine Gardening web site, Paul Zimmerman, long-time rose grower and owner of Paul Zimmerman Roses in Landrum, South Carolina explains the basics and a few advanced concepts dealing with properly growing a rose on a trellis. Everyone wants to have roses covering the trellis, not just at the top. Mr. Zimmerman explains the best way to accomplish this garden “magic.” I think you will enjoy the humor and spirit of the post as well!

  http://www.finegardening.com/item/14257/video-how-to-train-a-rose-on-a-trellis
  

  

  

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

  
  
  

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

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  Let’s face it, Carrots don’t have the same charisma as tomatoes, cucumbers or zucchini. I haven’t read too many rants and raves about the wonders of carrots. They can be a bit finicky and if they don’t have “smooth” soil, they can look a little weird. They do taste very good, however and they find their place in my favorite cake. At gardeninggarden.com, the secrets to success with carrots are revealed. Perhaps after reading the tips and guidelines, you will want to add carrots to your list of crops this year!

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  Joel Lerner writes about the dream of owning a greenhouse so one can grow many plants in many seasons. In Phoenix, AZ, the idea of a greenhouse from May through September is terrifying! I know it is a geographic challenge and others will be more enthused. For those who want the “skinny,” the article is available at the link below.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/04/AR2010030405424.html

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  Life on the Balcony highlights a variety of basil plants including those that are not only edible (I assume), but ornamental as well. Today’s basil varieties are not those of our grandmothers! Check out the oak leaf and lime varieties (and others) for yourself!

http://lifeonthebalcony.com/not-your-grandmas-basil/

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  Learn how to build a relatively simple A-Frame vegetable trellis (read comments for twine idea)!

http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/8315/diy-a-frame-veggie-trellis

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  Many gardeners are also interested in photography to one degree or another. Some are very involved and love to show off their gardens and flowers. With the advent of digital photography, a group of online printing options have been established to help “publish” photography books on any desired topic. It is very difficult to know which of these services is best to use. Enter the Great Photo Book Round-Up Review which will provide guidance and help in selecting the best publisher for your collection of shots!

http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/97676/0/1/15

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

Written by Jeff

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The ability to visit the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG) is one of the great pleasures of living in the Phoenix metro area. There is so much to see every time one visits! We take many guests there and although we have been there dozens of times, surprises and wonders are still to be found.

In spring the wildflower trail comes to life. There is a sea of penstemon of all colors. Pictured below is the mass of pink and red penstemon along with other wildflowers.

A decorative grass adds accent to a wondrous display of wildflowers.

The light blue flower in the picture below is called Baby Blue Eyes and it is quite striking with its pale blue color that fades almost to white as it reaches the center of the bloom. Contrasted with the surrounding flowers, it is impressive in its subtle beauty and contrast.

The DBG has special exhibits throughout the year. During the spring, the butterfly pavilion hosts a variety of butterflies. The striking Zebra butterfly flits feverishly from flower to flower (resting here on a yellow columbine) while the orange Queen butterfly is a bit more relaxed preferring to linger on a favored flower (a poppy in this photo).

In addition to the butterflies, the DBG had an exhibit by sculptor Allen Houser. Especially fitting were the more “traditional” native American art pieces such as the one pictured below.

If you are visiting the Phoenix, AZ area, I would recommend visiting the Desert Botanical Garden. You can check their website for exhibits, hours, etc. If you have any interest in plants, this is a “must see!”

Read Part I of Desert Botanical Garden Blooms, Spring 2010 – click here

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

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  This post from GrowVeg.com presents a fairly thorough guide to the care and handling of seedlings. Interestingly enough, the focus isn’t necessarily on starting the seeds, but what to do after they have sprouted. As anyone who has been involved in this process can attest, getting the seeds to sprout can be challenge enough, but then they have to be brought carefully into “adolescence.” Mishandling, birds and other critters are only part of the challenge. Check out the article for some ideas, tips and terminology!

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  Learn to build a robust cold frame in an afternoon. The author claims an “average” handy person can do it! The article is quite detailed with rationale and modifications provided. You can tell the author enjoys this project and sharing it with others. NOTE – the cold frame to be built is not the one pictured here.

http://civileats.com/2010/03/25/the-quick-and-easy-cold-frame/

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  The human condition is sometimes a strange thing and it often causes us to look at the physical world through our personal lens. That is why I enjoy pictures such as the shots found at this link from the WebEcoist which depicts rock formations around the world that remind us of animals. They are just fun to view and I hope you like them as much as I did.

  NOTE – The picture above is one I took of the “lion rock” at the Mystery Castle. The pictures in the article are much better!

http://webecoist.com/2010/02/18/23-bizarre-animal-shaped-rocks-sculpted-by-nature/

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  From Life on the Balcony we have a “review of Burpee Biodegradable Seed Starting Kit.” There are some good hints along the way. This sounds like one product that is worth a try.

http://lifeonthebalcony.com/review-of-burpee-biodegradable-seed-starting-kit/

• See trailer courtesy of YouTube here –

  Have you seen the movie HOME? It was a tour de force for mother earth with all footage shot from the air. It did take a few moments go gain perspective and a level of comfort with all the aerial shots, but once underway, the documentary was truly engrossing. Watch for the statistics at the end of the film. I think you will be very surprised at some of the facts.

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

Written by Jeff

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This is the time of year when the desert is in all of its glory. One place to see a wide array of flowers in bloom is the Desert Botanical Garden (DBG). It is indeed a real treasure of the Sonoran Desert community. While the warm, but mild weather continues we have a series of visitors from the colder parts of the nation. The DBG is the one place that almost all of our visitors enjoy. Many can’t believe the variety of desert plants in the world. That’s right, the DBG grows desert plants from around the world. Naturally, they have a wonderful selection of plants from our local desert.

Let me show you some of the plants in bloom during the last week of March, 2010 when we took one of our guests to the DBG.

As we walked into the courtyard of the DBG, the first thing we saw was a sea of California Blue Bells and an assortment of cactus. The Opuntia (Prickly Pear) cactus stands in contrast among the dark blue flowers. It was a stunning display.

The Opuntia family of cactus is quite diverse with a wide range of flower color. Below is a pink/purple bloom. Yellow flowers are also common on Prickly Pear cactus.

Another cactus that was in bloom near the courtyard entrance was a wonderful orange-red Claret Cup. It was “dressed for a party!”

As we walked around the courtyard, there was a display of Bush Morning Glories in the raised beds. The “traditional” Morning Glory is banned from sale in AZ because it may become invasive. The bush-type can be grown because it is easily contained. Unfortunately, the rabbits also enjoy the Bush Morning Glory as some gardeners have discovered.

One characteristic that makes the Bush Morning Glory desirable is the silver-like foliage and its contrast with the white flowers with yellow centers. It creates a fine looking display and works well with other desert plants.

Agaves are a mainstay of the garden landscape and newcomers are often surprised to learn that these plants die after they flower. Flowering takes place on a mature plant which can vary widely in age. It is always a wise idea to plant agaves of different ages to space out the flowering.

As the plant prepares to flower, it generally sends out shoots called pups. These pups will then take the place of the mother plant. They often grow in a circle around the mother plant. They can be dug up and transplanted at the appropriate time of the year.

Pictured below is an agave spike getting ready to bloom. They are spectacular when they reveal their full display on very high spikes!

The Aloes were continuing to bloom and treat everyone to their range or orange, red and yellow flowers (below).

More photos of the wildflower garden and other DBG scenes will be shared in another post. Happy Spring!

Learn about the Desert Botanical Garden and their special events and programs.

Read Part II of Desert Botanical Garden Blooms, Spring 2010 – click here!

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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/04/04/desert-botanical-garden-blooms-spring-2010-part-i/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/26/garden-sprouts-%e2%80%93-march-26-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/26/garden-sprouts-%e2%80%93-march-26-2010/#comments Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:58:56 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=3099 Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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  When inclement weather, a delayed spring or other unforeseen events keep me out of the garden, I enjoy looking at other gardens or garden books to get ideas and inspiration for new hoticultural adventures. The Proven Winner website has an online magazine and idea books. There are several resources to get the chlorophyll flowing.

View the Proven Winners magazine or download the Garden Idea PDF.

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  How to deadhead Knock Out Roses – Pruning roses can take a bit of skill and know how. Knock Out roses, on the other hand, are easy to keep blooming. According to P. Allen Smith’s short video, no shears are needed; just a quick flick of the wrist. The angst is gone! Click the link below to watch the video.

Watch the video to learn how to trim/prune Knockout Roses!

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  There is a strong permaculture movement developing across the nation. Here is a relatively short explanation of how to create and use a self-cleaning water tank to store water and hopefully save money and resources!

Create a self-cleaning water storage tank!

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  Lavandula angustifolia ‘Thumbelina Leigh,’is a new dwarf variety that promises to live within a small footprint and still be tough! To find out the details, check the link below!

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2010/03/12/new-dwarf-lavender/

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  Make your own potting soil – It is sometimes difficult to get just that right mix for a potting soil. One way to get what you want is to create it yourself. The process is detailed in the post below. Good luck!

http://gardening.lohudblogs.com/2010/03/04/how-to-make-your-own-potting-soil/

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

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This is the time of year that people living in the Sonoran Desert love. We have 70-degree and 80-degree weather when much of the country is trying to get out from under the snow. Since we have mild winters (this year we had no frost in my neighborhood), some of our plants winter over and begin to do very well when the weather shows the first signs of warming.

Below are several pictures of agaves and aloes taken at the Desert Botanical Garden during the past few weeks. I think you will like what you see.

Pictured below is an agave growing amid a rock formation.

This is wildflower season and agaves are at home amid the wildflowers and perennials. They often make a great contrast. This year’s early wildflowers may have been somewhat diminished by the abundance of rain.

Another picture of an agave with flowers.

There are a great variety of agaves. Some are big and some are small. There are color and texture variations as demonstrated by the picture of the red-toothed agave below.

While the agaves were beginning to awaken to the warm weather, aloes were putting on a show of their own with their flower spikes held high. The agave pictured below might be BLUE ELF which is a popular agave blooming in late winter or early spring.

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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/21/putting-down-roots-in-the-desert-march-21-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/09/garden-sprouts-march-9-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/09/garden-sprouts-march-9-2010/#comments Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:53:48 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=3044 Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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  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

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  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/

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  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

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  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/

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  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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/03/03/plant-stabbings-and-other-issues-part-ii/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/20/garden-sprouts-february-20-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/20/garden-sprouts-february-20-2010/#comments Sat, 20 Feb 2010 13:34:48 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=3001 Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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  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

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  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/

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  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

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  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

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  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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/15/plant-stabbings-and-other-issues-part-i/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/05/garden-sprouts-february-5-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/05/garden-sprouts-february-5-2010/#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 14:28:56 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=2896 Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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  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

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  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/

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  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/

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  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

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  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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/02/05/garden-sprouts-february-5-2010/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/01/20/garden-sprouts-quick-posts-from-other-sites-%e2%80%93-january-20-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/01/20/garden-sprouts-quick-posts-from-other-sites-%e2%80%93-january-20-2010/#comments Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:18:54 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=2805 Written by Jeff
Non-GOTM pictures credited by hover notes – move cursor over image

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  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

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  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/

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  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

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  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

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  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

]]> http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/01/15/earth-kind-rose-a-what/feed/ 0 http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/01/05/garden-sprouts-quick-posts-from-other-sites-%e2%80%93-january-5-2010/ http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2010/01/05/garden-sprouts-quick-posts-from-other-sites-%e2%80%93-january-5-2010/#comments Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:44:30 +0000 jbross http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/?p=2771 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/

• 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