Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
What to do in September, got caterpillars?(don't do this!) π=π¦ , & more π΅π
Published 18 days agoΒ β’Β 3 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener!
It will soon be September, which might have you feeling that fall has arrived, but it's definitely not fall in the desert southwest yet.
Many gardening references state that September is a good time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and winter annuals. But I disagree...
The past few Septembers have been brutally hot. π₯΅ Last year, Tucson had 16 days of 100+ heat. (October, with 13 days over 100, brought little relief.) Thatβs two months of heat stress for new plants.
So use September to plan not plant. Wait until mid-October or even November to plant. Your plants will experience less transplant shock and youβll experience less stress.
π΅ π΅ π΅
September is a time of peak caterpillar migration. Killing them should not be your knee-jerk reaction, since they rarely do significant harm to landscape plants and today's caterpillars become tomorrow's butterflies.
What you'll find in this week's newsletter:
What to do in the garden in September
Featured Plant: Autumn sage
Dish vs insecticidal: the best "soap" for plants
Upcoming gardening classes & events
and more!
September: What to Do in the Garden This Month
September means the monsoon is winding down and even though it might be fall elsewhere, itβs still summer here. Hereβs a look at what you should and shouldnβt plant, what you can fertilize, pests to expect, fruit you can harvest, and more.
September is a peak month for caterpillar migrations. Please, try co-existing with caterpillars, since they turn into beautiful and necessary moths and butterflies.
This small evergreen shrub has glossy leaves and dainty flower stalks -- you'd never suspect it's a Chihuahuan Desert native. The name has always puzzled me, since it blooms almost all year, not just in autumn. π€ βRead more here ββ
Getting Rid of Whiteflies & Spider Mites
Whiteflies and spider mites thrive in hot, dry weather. If you see them on your plants, give them a hard spray with water. If that doesnβt work, use insecticidal soap, but only when the temperature is below 90. Spraying your plants with anything other than water in the heat can burn their leaves. (Of course, spraying with hot hose water can burn your leaves, too.)
Insecticidal Soap vs Dish Detergent: Which is Better?
There are a lot of DIY remedies for eliminating insect pests on plants, and one of the most common is spraying with a solution of dish washing liquid. Does dish βsoapβ work as well as insecticidal soap? It is as safe for your plants? The answer may surprise you! 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* Raised Bed Gardening @ Tucson Botanical Garden β* Healing Herb Walk @ Mission Garden β* Meet Your Mountain Wildflowers @ Pima Co. Master Gardeners
This is the last weekend for Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum's "Cool Summer Nights" & Tohono Chul's "Chillinβ at the Chul".
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.
β