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Underutilized source of free water π§, beautiful "trash tree" (don't plant!) ππΌ, & more π΅π
Published 25 days agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener!
A few mornings ago I was surprised to see that it had rained in my backyard but not in my front. Hmm. π€ Once I was fully awake, I realized I had left a soaker hose run overnight in the back. Yikes!
It's not all bad news, my trees got their deepest watering of the year and look very happy. But I've since put a timer on my spigot. (Here's the $10 timer I'm using.) Please learn from my embarrassing gardening mistake and get a timer if you manually water your plants. You never know when you might get distracted...
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If you've had any monsoon storms recently, you may have noticed that palo verdes frequently experience storm damage. Unfortunately, a commonly planted hybrid, the Desert Museum palo verde, is so prone to splitting and blowing over that some arborists call it a "trash tree". Ouch. It's this week's featured plant -- its discovery has an interesting backstory.
What you'll find in this week's newsletter:
Featured Plant: Desert Museum palo verde
It's TEP tree time
A little used source of grey water
What to do in the garden in August
Upcoming gardening classes & events
and more!
Desert Museum Palo Verde: Unforeseen Flaw
You would expect a tree named after the renowned Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum to be exceptional, but it has been a disappointment. This tree has one major flaw that wasnβt discovered until it had already been widely planted. βRead more here ββ
Money Saving Tip! $5 Trees
While August isnβt a good time plant, it is a good time to plan what you want to plant in the fall. If you're considering planting a new tree and live in Tucson, check out the Trees for You Program.
Every fall TEP (Tucson Electric Power) customers have the opportunity to buy two 5-gallon trees for $5 each. The first day to order is September 2.
Can You Water Plants with AC Condensate?
Air conditioning condensate is an overlooked source of free βgrey water.β But is it good for your plants? And can you collect enough of it in a hot dry climate to be worthwhile? Here's what I found out, and how I collect and use my AC water. βRead more here ββ
Tucson Garden Events & Classes
There's always more to learn about gardening! Check out these classes and events coming up soon. β* Green Chili Festival @ Four Arrows Garden β* Selecting a Houseplant @ Green Things β* Why Your Soil Doesnβt Need Gypsum @ Pima Co. Master Gardeners
Not in Tucson? Look for classes for everyone offered via Zoom.
August: What to Do in the Garden This Month
August is a somewhat busier month in the garden than July. There are more plants to be pruned and fertilized, and more pests and problems to watch out for, too.
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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