http://www.garden.org/regional/report/current/5 en-us http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2808 Sustainable landscapes were the topic of my June 19 report, and here I'd like to offer some recommendations for plants that meet the guidelines for such a landscape. Basically, sustainable (also called enduring) landscapes can survive on rainfall after...
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Resources

• Rainlog
• Visit Public Gardens During Off-Season

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Reminders

• Sow Native Seeds
• Hose Off Cochineal Scale
• Water Veggies Carefully
• Transplant Palm Trees
• Cull Split Citrus

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2807 A "sustainable" or "enduring" landscape is designed to live through periods of drought after root systems have established. Sustainable landscapes can survive mainly on rainfall, with an occasional deep watering during lengthy dry spells to keep plants...
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Resources

• Los Alamos Master Gardeners Garden Tour
• Little-leaf Cordia

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Reminders

• Monitor Moisture Needs
• Cover Tomato Plants
• Harvest Deciduous Fruit
• Prepare Containers for Summer
• Maintain Houseplants

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2806 Canna lilies bloom during summer in neon shades of red, orange, pink, coral, yellow, and gold. If you prefer relaxing in the garden amongst soothing pastels, seek out cannas with paler yellow or peach flowers. Also, there's no reason why you can't clip...
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Resources

• Coleus
• Have Containers, Will Travel

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Reminders

• Fertilize Containers
• Monitor Soil Moisture
• Prune Heritage Roses
• Enjoy the Birds
• Harvest Herbs

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2801 Catherine de Medici, it is said, saw globe artichokes growing in Florentine gardens and introduced them to French cuisine. Native to Mediterranean areas, these delicacies that we slurp with butter are actually immature flower buds. The center of the...
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Resources

• Mexican Hat
• Siting Backlit Plants

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Reminders

• Treat Pearl Scale
• Maintain Tomatoes
• Watch for Butterflies and Caterpillars
• Protect Deciduous Fruit
• Reprogram Automatic Timers

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2778 Most vines for low-desert landscapes need to be tough characters, full of pomp and swagger as they cover stucco walls and ramadas through the endless summer. And we want them to look good while they're at it, providing vivid color for us to enjoy with...
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Resources

• Prescott Garden Tour
• Centennial Museum & Chihuahuan Desert Gardens

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Reminders

• Examine Tree Structure
• Layer Mulch
• Check Irrigation Systems
• Plant Canna Bulbs
• Prepare Shade Structures

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2764 I'd hazard a guess that for most gardeners, irrigation systems are not the most exciting element in their landscape. I can toss off a couple dozen things I'd rather do than tinker with leaky valves or crack my wallet open for replacements. It was easy...
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Resources

• Santa Fe Botanical Garden 2008 Tours
• Tricks to Fine-Tune Irrigation

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Reminders

• Adjust Irrigation Controllers
• Train Vines
• Protect New Transplants
• Sow Veggies
• Transplant Basil

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2754 I just restocked the rabbits' pantry, once known as my front flower bed. Emboldened by their seeming indifference of late, I planted without chicken wire. Battalions of bunnies materialized to graze gallon-sized lavender, coreopsis, and gaillardia down...
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Resources

• Parade of Ponds
• Sages

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Reminders

• Finish Transplanting Landscape Plants
• Water Wildflowers
• Pick Prickly Pear Pads
• Maintain Tomatoes and Peppers
• Fertilize Citrus

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2731 There seems to be a small window of opportunity to spruce up scraggly plants before rampant spring growth begins. I've had my eye on frost-damaged lantana and a sprawling trumpet vine, waiting for the first signs of new growth before trimming. I wait...
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Resources

• Tucson Garden Tour
• Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

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Reminders

• Adjust Irrigation Timers
• Transplant Tomatoes
• Leave Cool-Season Veggies
• Plant Colorful Flowers and Foliage
• Trim Cat's Claw Vine

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2716 This winter's consistent rains are producing a bumper crop of weeds. I haven't been hard hit by weeds at home yet, but I'm guilty of waiting too long to control them in the bulb and flower garden at the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension...
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Resources

• Weeds
• Time Your Weeding Sessions

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Reminders

• Transplant Tomatoes
• Trim Frost Damage
• Transplant Artichokes
• Fertilize Roses
• Prepare Vegetable and Flower Beds

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2709 My house is much quieter, but rather dull, now that Alvie the Chipmunk has returned to the great outdoors. Friends had provided me with "foolproof" instructions for homemade, humane chipmunk traps. But Alvie seemed quite content to ignore clever...
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Resources

• Tres Rios Nature & Earth Festival
• Backyards & Beyond

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Reminders

• Start Planning
• Fertilize Citrus
• Continue Transplanting Tomatoes
• Pull New Weeds
• Use Ripening Citrus

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]]> http://www.garden.org/regional/report/arch/2699 When winter temperatures drop, some desert-adapted plants respond to the stress by changing colors. Years ago, I had admired a fellow gardener's prickly pear, which featured long, black, needle-like spines that stood out distinctly against blue pads....
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Resources

• Prickly Pear
• Visit Nurseries and Botanic Gardens

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Reminders

• Manage Irrigation Carefully
• Monitor Weather
• Set Out Tomatoes
• Continue Bare-Root Planting
• Continue Sowing Cool-Season Veggies

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