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Why mid-May is "summer", do your leaves have circles? ๐, take a pass on this grass, & more ๐ต
Published about 2 months agoย โขย 2 min read
Hi, Desert Gardener!
It's mid-May, which means it's time to decide -- Is it summer? Or is it still spring? If you look at various watering schedules, youโll find that spring is considered โMarch through Mayโ while summer is considered โMay through Septemberโ. I suggest adjusting your irrigation to a summer schedule as soon as your daytime highs are regularly above 90.
If you struggle to keep your potted plants looking good (or even alive) during the summer, be sure to check out "It's Too Darn Hot - The Desertโs Monsoon Season in Your Container Garden." This class will be presented by Marylee Pangman, a leading authority on container gardening in the desert. It's sponsored by Tucson Botanical Gardens, but is held via Zoom so you can participate no matter where you live.
This week's featured plant is something different. It's one that I urge you to not grow. The article below explains why.
In this week's newsletter, we cover:
Featured Plant: Purple fountain grass
What's making circles in your leaves? ๐
Got bugs? ID before you treat
One man's quest to save the Sonoran Desert
What to do in the garden in May ๐ฉ๐ปโ๐พ
Upcoming gardening classes & events
and more!
Featured Plant: Purple Fountain Grass
Itโs a well-established fact that fountain grass is invasive in the desert. (Check out the talk in the Events Calendar.) Purple fountain grass is often recommended as a โsterileโ variety that can be planted safely instead. But is it truly sterile? The answer surprised me and may surprise you, too.
If you find a bug or caterpillar on a plant, take a deep breath before you decide to kill it. It may be a beneficial insect or one that turns into a beautiful butterfly. ๐ฆ ๐ A yard with no insects is a death zone, not an ecosystem!
If you're concerned, your first step should be to ID it and learn whether it could actually harm your plant. (Most insects do little damage to healthy plants.) If the answer is yes, always start with the least toxic treatment. A jet spray of water takes care of a lot of insects.
Leafcutter Bees: Garden Friend or Foe?
If you see circular cutouts on your plants, you may understandably be concerned. Letโs take a look at the insects that are carving perfect circles in your leaves, the amazing reason they do it, and what to do if this happens to your plants
While spring is winding down, there are still plenty of gardening classes and events. Here are some of the upcoming highlights: * Flutterscape @ Pima Co. Master Gardeners * Invasive Species: Fountain Grass @ Pima Co. Master Gardeners * Monsoon Season in Your Container Garden @ Tucson Botanical Gardens
By mid-May it's time to consider adjusting your watering schedule. Palm trees, oranges and grapefruits (but not lemons or limes) can be fertilized now.
"The hum of bees is the voice of the garden." - Elizabeth Lawrence, author, landscape architect
One Manโs Quest to Save the Sonoran Desert
An 84-year-old "citizen scientist" and his team of volunteers have cleared over 550 acres in the Sonoran Desert of invasive weeds. (This is a New York Times "gift article" -- hopefully, the link will work for you.)
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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