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Historic monsoon rain βοΈ, other-worldly "tree" π₯, best hummingbird plants πΊ, & more ππ΅
Published 10 days agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener,
The monsoon has officially begun and it's off to a historic start! Tucson had record-breaking rain on the 15th, the first official day of the monsoon. The rains often begin around July 4th, but this week Tucson, along with Sierra Vista, Green Valley, Mesa, Flagstaff, and Prescott had substantial rains. You can see how much rain fell around Arizona and other parts of the southwest at Rainlog.org.
π΅ βοΈ π΅
Last week I mentioned that I've been writing about some of the desert's more unusual plants. Today's featured plant may be the weirdest of them all -- the boojum tree. The quirky name was actually bestowed on this plant by a Tucson resident. While it's not for everyone, this succulent makes a one-of-a-kind landscape plant!
The desert southwest has a lot of unusual plants, and the boojum tree may be the weirdest of them all. Itβs technically a succulent, not a tree, and is closely related to another desert oddity β the ocotillo. Read more ββ
Get Dads What They Really Want
What gardening dads really want for Father's Day (besides spending time with you) is gardening stuff -- plants and tools! It's not too late to order instant e-gift cards from the following Tucson nurseries (plus one in Phoenix). Make the special men in your life happy and support our local nurseries as well.
Looking to entice more hummingbirds into your desert garden? Turn your yard into a βhummer havenβ by planting flowering shrubs, perennials, vines, trees, and succulents that our beloved feathered friends canβt resist. Read more ββ
Why Every Gardener Needs a Rain Gauge
The rule of thumb is that anytime you have 1/2" of rain or more, you can skip your next scheduled irrigation session. This can save water and money. And, if you're like me and water by hand, being able to skip watering is a real treat! But you'll need to know how much rain you've had. That's why every gardener should have a rain gauge. I've tried rain gauges of all kinds. Glass and plastic will crack from freezes (uncommon) or hail (common). I now use this silicone rain gauge which has held up to all types of weather, including severe hailstorms.
June Gardening Guide
The merciless heat and aridity of June make it the hardest month on plants, and the most challenging for desert gardeners. Discover what you should and shouldnβt do in the garden this month, how to water, pests to watch out for, and more. Get the details here ββ
Upcoming Tucson Events
There are lots of interesting garden events and classes coming up soon! Upcoming highlights include: * Desert Gardening 101 @ Green Things (6/22) * Plant & Seed Swap @ Rillito Park Farmers Market (6/28) * More Life, Less Lawn @ Rainwater Harvesting w/Brad Lancaster (6/30, online)
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
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