Weirdly wonderful plant π, the scourge of spurge, am vs pm watering β²οΈ, & moreπ΅π
Published 2 months agoΒ β’Β 2 min read
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Hi, Desert Gardener!
If you're like me, you're watering like crazy in this heat. There's an ongoing debate amongst gardeners as to the best time of day to water. So I've written about this (see below) to help you decide whether there are any tweaks you should make to your watering schedule.
I love stumbling upon someone giving away free plants! This week's featured plant is one that I picked up from a box sitting by a curb labeled "free pups." I finally got around to ID'ing it and was thrilled to determine it's an octopus agave. I think it's as beautiful and weird-looking as it sounds. π
What you'll find in this week's newsletter:
- Featured Plant: Octopus agave
- Spurge: Scourge or ground cover?
- Morning or evening? When's the best time to water?
- What to do in the garden in July
- Upcoming gardening classes & events
- and more!
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Octopus Agave: Weirdly Wonderful
With its graceful, curvy, Medusa-like leaves, octopus agave is one of the coolest-looking plants around. When it blooms, its flower stalk gets covered with thousands of clones of the parent plant. How amazing is that?!?
βRead more here ββ
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A Reader Asks: "I have a lot of spurge growing in my yard. Could I leave it as a ground cover?"
Nope. While it can be tempting to encourage a plant that's thriving without attention, spurge is a scourge -- not a plant you want to intentionally grow. Stems are delicate and easily broken, and like all Euphorbias, exude toxic sap that is irritating and incredibly sticky.
I recently pulled some and could not wash the sap off my hands. I finally got it off with Goo Gone! You don't want this on your shoes or anywhere near kids or pets. It's really bad news if you accidentally get some in your eye. If you aren't familiar with spurge, you can see what it looks like here.
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Morning or Evening? The Best Time to Water Desert Plants
When should you water your plants β in the morning or in the evening? How much does it matter? Discover what the experts have to say about the best time of day to water your desert landscape plants.
βRead more here ββ
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Tucson Garden Events & Classes
There's always more to learn about gardening! Check out these classes and events coming up soon.
* Summer Herb & Vegetable Gardening Tips @ Green Things
* Monsoon Plant Sale @ Native Seeds SEARCH
* Invasive Species Series: Salt Cedar @ Pima County Master Gardeners
If you live in Tucson or are visiting this summer, check out Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum's "Cool Summer Nights" for food, drinks, & family fun. (Sat. evenings through August.)
Get the details on these events and more in our Tucson Gardening Events Calendar β
Not in Tucson? There are always classes for everyone offered via Zoom.
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July: What to Do in the Garden This Month
July means the arrival of monsoon storms, which bring higher humidity and much-needed rain. Hereβs what garden tasks you should do, which to skip, and things to watch out for during this changeable month.
βLearn more here ββ
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Garden Quote
"A flower blooming in the desert proves to the world that adversity, no matter how great, can be overcome." - Matshona Dhliwayo, author
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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 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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