Southwestern Deserts
August, 2005
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
Protection for Spring Bulbs
Fall is right around the corner, and for gardeners that means planting spring-flowering bulbs, such as tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses. Unfortunately, mice and voles love to munch these newly...
Mist n' Pour Sprayer
Once the weather starts cooling and drying out, misting plants is a good way to raise humidity levels and keep indoor plants healthy. Misting also can help prevent infestations of insects such as...
Award-Winning Lavender
For the past 35 years, the Dutch-based horticultural organization, Fleuroselect, has been testing and promoting new flower varieties around the world. Each year they trial new varieties in 30 test...
Worm Compost Suppresses Insect Attacks
Its been widely known that mixing worm compost or "vermicompost" into soils growing flower and vegetables will reduce plant diseases and add significantly more nutrients to the soil than regular...
In the Garden
Pruning Storm-Damaged Trees
Am I the only one whose heart skips a beat when I see dreadful pruning jobs? It seems like it, as mutilated trees and shrubs abound wherever I go. Now that fierce summer monsoon winds have arrived to snap tree limbs like toothpicks, it's a good time to...
Read more »
Resources
Web Finds
Follow Proper Pruning Techniques Texas A&M University Extension Horticulture provides a detailed pruning publication online called...
Books
Pruning and Desert Landscaping Desert Landscaping for Beginners (Arizona Master Gardeners, 2001; $14.95) contains an in-depth...
Read more »
Regional Reminders
- Monitor Water Use
- Watch for Wildlife
- Fertilize Citrus
- Treat Iron Chlorosis
- Plant Bermuda Lawns
