Southwest Gardener
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 November ππ, "Day of the Dead" (plants, that is) , & more π΅ π
Hi, Desert Gardener! I'm sending this a day later than usual, since I imagine many of you were busy with Halloween yesterday. I hope you had a good time! I can't believe it's already November. I've been having so much fun in my garden, October flew by. Be sure to check out the November monthly "to do" guide. November is still a great month to plant most plants, but it's getting a little late for some that are frost-sensitive. (There's already been a frost warning for some areas east of...
Sow spring wildflowers now π΅οΈ, pumpkin vs javelinas π π, & more π΅ π
Hi, Desert Gardener! It's not too soon to start thinking about spring! Every spring, the desert southwest puts on a display of wildflowers so stunning it attracts visitors from around the world. If you'd like to grow these same flowers in your yard, now is the perfect time to sow seeds to have wildflowers in the spring. π΅ π΅οΈ π΅ If this is your first Halloween in the desert, you might not know that javelinas love pumpkins! They seem to think we put them out just for their enjoyment. Don't let...
Are you a helicopter gardener? π, rescued succulents for sale π΅, & more π π
Hi, Desert Gardener! Last week, some of us received much-needed rain. I don't want to sound too exuberant about this since I know some of you may have experienced flooding. I know how damaging storms can be and I hope all is well with you and your garden. π’ This week, I started my fall planting. What a joy it is to dig in soft, wet soil! I obsessively watch my new plants and am delighted to report that they all look happy with no signs of transplant shock. Planting in the fall really does...
Garden relief (finally!), plant sales galore πͺ΄, "devil" plant π, & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! What a change a week can make. It looks like our 100+ degree days are overπ€πΌ and we're now enjoying dramatic cooling and rain (possibly a lot in some places). The conditions for planting will be near ideal next week as the rain softens the soil and makes digging much easier. I can't wait to get some of my new plants in the ground! π΅ π΅ π΅ Next weekend there are so many plant sales, you may have a hard time deciding which one/ones to attend. Tohono Chul, Pima County Master...
Why fall is better than spring, Mexican BOP π¦, removing glochids π«±πΌ, & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! Happy October! This is one of the best months of the year for planting, but it's somewhat early since temperatures can still climb over 100. (It was 100 at my house yesterday.) So I'm taking my fall planting in stages. This week I divided and planted succulents since, unlike most plants, they prefer being planted in the heat. The warm soil temperatures encourage their root development. π΅ π΅ π΅ Today's featured plant, Mexican bird of paradise, is one I greatly appreciate for...
What to do in October π, "zero" maintence grass, fall container combos πͺ΄, & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! Here in Tucson, September is closing out with rain and cooler temperatures. What a treat! I hope you've experienced some relief, too. October is right around the corner, so get ready... this is the month we've all been waiting for! Itβs prime time for planting most (but not all) desert landscape plants. Be sure to check out the October monthly "to do" guide -- it's loaded with tips on how to choose the right plants, taking care of any new additions to your garden, and...
Bad year for flowers πΊ, what to plant in fall, rose care guideπΉ & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! Sadly, it's been a bad year for flowers. Many gardeners are finding their plants are flowering less than usual this year. One native plant expert that I follow says the number of plants blooming, even native plants, is way down. This is concerning. Flowers are important for hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. They are important for people, too. (see today's quote) But what can you do to bring more flowers into your garden? Instead of planting "foo foo"...
The desert wildflower that conquered the worldπ», a "sneaky" shrub πΈ, & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! It seems that everyone loves sunflowers, a beloved, iconic flower symbolic of summer and happiness. (Growing sunflowers is also a multi-billion dollar industry.) Sunflowers and their thousands of hybrids are so adaptable that they've naturalized on every inhabited continent and in all 50 states. But few people realize that the sunflowers they're growing originated from an annual wildflower native to the desert southwest. Itβs not an exaggeration to say this useful,...
Fun butterfly facts π¦ , water-saving freebiesπ§, prevent storm damage βοΈ, & more π΅π
Hi, Desert Gardener! While we didn't get any rain from Tropical Storm Lorena, I know some of you have! We at least have had a nice cool down and some clouds. I noticed some of my plants perked up immediately even without rain -- greens looked greener and flowers bloomed more profusely. Have you noticed that, too? But don't get lulled into thinking that heat is behind us. (Last year, the first 13 days of October were over 100.) π΅ π΅ π΅ You may recall that a few weeks ago I accidentally left my...
What to do in September, got caterpillars?(don't do this!) π=π¦ , & more π΅π
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...
Be a successful desert gardener. Find everything you need to know to create and maintain a beautiful, carefree desert landscape in our weekly newsletter.