Plants that need pruning now, βοΈ why landscape fabric is bad news, donating surplus citrus π, & more
Published about 1 month agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
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Hi, Desert Gardener,
Patience is a much-needed virtue for gardeners now. The warm weather might have you itching to tidy up cold-damaged plants and start planting but it's still too soon. I was at a nursery yesterday and saw lots of colorful annuals both cold-weather and warm-weather. But it's too late for some and too early for others. Sigh. What's a gardener to do? This week's newsletter has a few ideas.
In this week's newsletter, we cover:
- Featured plant: Pink Muhly (it's a dazzler!)
- Plants that "need" pruning now
- 6 ways landscape fabric harms desert plants & soil
- Organizations that would love your surplus citrus
- What to do in the garden in February
- Upcoming gardening classes and events
- and more!
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Featured Plant:
Pink Muhly
Pink muhly is a dazzling ornamental grass with dramatic pink plumes. It thrives in the southwest despite being an eastern US native. Hereβs how to grow this adaptable plant.
βRead more ββ
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Ornamental Grass Reminder!
The end of February is the time to give ornamental grasses a hard prune. Cut them down to 3 β 4 inches above the ground. Pruning them severely lets light penetrate the crown and makes way for new spring growth. There's no need to cut them neatly straight across. Slightly irregular cuts look more natural and mimic the grazing that would occur when growing in grasslands, their native habitat. Don't worry about how they look -- they grow back quickly.
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6 Reasons to Ditch Landscape Fabric
The use of landscape fabric or weed barrier is considered controversial, but it shouldnβt be. Itβs flat-out a bad idea, especially when used in the desert southwest. Here are the many ways it harms plants and soil and ultimately creates more work.
βRead more ββ
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Check Out Our New "Plant Index"
Want to learn more about a desert landscape plant? Then check out our new Plant Index where you'll find all of Southwest Gardener's featured plant articles listed alphabetically by common name. So far there are nearly 100 plants and more are added every week. This should make it easier to find the information you need when choosing and caring for your plants.
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February: What to Do in the Garden This Month
Mid-February is the time to fertilize citrus and take a pause on planting vegetables. Find out what else you should be doing in the garden now in our February Guide.
βGet the full details here ββ
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Tucson Garden Events & Classes
Tucson's garden scene continues to be busy. Some upcoming highlights include:
* Potting Soil 101 @ Green Things
* Designing Summer Pots @ Tucson Botanical Gardens
* Growing Succulent Pots @ Harlow Gardens
Find more & get the details in our Tucson Gardening Events Calendar β
Not in Tucson? Look for classes offered via Zoom.
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Garden Quote
"The garden year has no beginning and no end."
- Elizabeth Lawrence, writer, landscape architect
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Don't Let Extra Citrus Go To Waste
If you have more citrus than you can use, store, or give to neighbors, various organizations are willing to take your surplus citrus. In southern Arizona, there's even an organization that will HARVEST your citrus for you!
βGet the full details here ββ
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Before You Go...
Do you have a gardening question you'd like to see answered here? Send it to ask@swgardener.com.
If you found this information helpful or interesting, please share it with friends! They can sign up for this newsletter here.
And please stop by the new Southwest Gardener Facebook page and "Follow", "Like", or "Share".
Keep growing and learning,
βDesert Dee
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113 Cherry St #92768, Seattle, WA 98104-2205
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