Southwestern Deserts
September, 2012
Regional Report
National News - From NGA Editors
Song Bird Kale
Ornamental kale is one of the best plants for adding long-lasting and easy-care color to the fall garden. These sturdy plants keep their good looks long after frost has finished off many autumn...
Downy Mildew of Impatiens
One of the standbys of the shade garden, impatiens has in the past been a pretty trouble-free plant in most situations. Unfortunately, a new disease has arrived on the scene that threatens...
Hardy Geraniums for Fall Color
When it comes to fall foliage colors, we usually think first of trees and shrubs. From the flaming reds, yellows, and oranges of maples to the rich red of chokeberry and the bright yellow of the...
Safe Tomato Canning
As summer winds down, many gardeners are saving the bounty of their vegetable gardens by canning tomatoes. And many of them are using the water bath canning method to process their jars. Water...
In the Garden
Xeriscape Part III: Plant Selection: Final Varied Considerations
Xeriscape design includes a set of seven principles to guide you in the creation and long-term maintenance of a colorful, earth-friendly landscape that suits your unique needs. Previous reports covered design, site analysis, whether to install turf, and...
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Resources
Web Finds
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map provides data on average annual minimum temperatures. The USDA...
Clever Gardening Technique
Root Ugly Cacti Pads to Expand Your Collection Some prickly pear cacti pads may look sunburned, have a chunk chewed out by a hungry critter, or...
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Regional Reminders
- Spread Compost on the Garden
- Expand Watering Zones as Plants Grow
- Order Bulbs for Fall Planting
- Look for Iron Deficiency
- Start Vegetable Transplants
