Mishaps in the Garden: Dealing with Unexpected Plant Problems
The Unpredictable Nature of Gardening
In a perfect world, everything runs smoothly with no unexpected problems, and while you may not know what the future holds, it’s always positive.
But, you know that isn’t how life works and this is certainly true in the desert garden.
Seeking Answers for Garden Mishaps
The other day, I was walking through my back garden after returning from summer vacation, and what I noticed didn’t make me happy.
Several plants around my flagstone seating area were dead or barely alive. In fact, I need to replace at least ten plants in this area.
This lead me to wonder why I suffered these mishaps in my garden. The plants are about three-years-old and were doing fine earlier this year.
In the picture above, you can see a part of this area as it looked last fall. As you can see, all the plants are happy and thriving. Sadly, now some of them aren’t – especially the blackfoot daisy and shrubby germander.
So why did some die this summer?
The Culprit: Tree Branch Mishap
Sometimes, the reason a plant dies isn’t readily apparent, but in my case, I knew what the answer was.
Back in June, a large branch from my palo verde tree broke off from being too heavy. Normally, my trees are well-maintained by a certified arborist company. However, due to the labor shortages prevalent post-Covid, most arborists are struggling with insufficient employee numbers.
The Impact of a Lost Shade Provider due to Mishaps in the Garden
So, my tree pruning, which normally takes place in March was postponed until July. As a result, the branch became too laden with new foliage and branches and broke off.
This particular branch shaded the seating area and a large number of plants around it. All of the plants in this area can handle full sun with no problem as long as the plants receive consistent water. However, they were accustomed to the filtered shade offered by the tree. So, when the branch fell, they were exposed to the harsh desert sun without having a chance to adjust to it over several weeks.
Embracing Change in Your Garden
Mishaps like this are part of living with nature and it’s why there are no ‘perfect’ gardens. If you strive for a perfect garden, you are likely to experience disappointment now and then. Mishaps in the garden are common.
In my instance, I am making a list of replacement plants and may try something different in place of the blackfoot daisy – I am not sure what yet.
Unexpected problems like this are often an opportunity to try new plants. Fall is right around the corner, which is the best time of year to add new plants, so I will wait until then to get my new ones in.
I hope that your garden is weathering the summer heat nicely, but if it isn’t, don’t be afraid to try something new this fall!
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I’m going record to state that I’m not a huge fan. I prefer to endure the intense heat indoors in the comfort of air-conditioning.
However, the plants in my garden don’t have that option. They are stuck outside no matter how hot it gets.
I always feel sad when I see plants struggle in the heat of summer. If I could bring them indoors to cool off I would 😉. But, let’s face it, that isn’t realistic or really what is best for plants.
For that reason, you will find the plants around my home are fairly heat-tolerant.
If you think that heat-proof plants are boring (and if I’m being honest, some are), many are attractive and beautiful.
One of my clients has a great example of an eye-catching entry that is fuss-free and shrugs off the heat of summer.
Artichoke agave (Agave parryi v. truncata), golden barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii), and lady’s slipper (Euphorbia lomelii), and yucca create a living sculptural landscape with their unique shapes.
As you can see, you don’t have to settle for a blah garden or one filled with heat-stressed plants. In fact, I loved this example so much that I featured it in my book, “Dry Climate Gardening” which is available for pre-order.
You know that I don’t care for fussy plants – I prefer plants that look great with little effort on my part and this succulent garden is a great example, don’t you agree?
I invite you to take a walk through your garden to see what plants may be stressed from the heat. It may be time for you to switch them out for more heat-tolerant ones.
By the time midpoint of summer heat arrives, I am firmly in ‘summer hibernation’ mode. I have past all the garden needs in hot early summer and moved on to trying to find a cool spot with a nice glass of lemonade.
Why Summer Hibernation Mode in the Desert
While much of the country stays indoors during the cold of winter, we desert dwellers flip that and spend the hottest days of summer safely ensconced indoors in the comfort of A/C.
Of course, cabin fever can hit, making us venture outside of our homes. That’s where summer getaways come into play.
I’m fortunate that there are many spots in Arizona (where I live) that are just a few hours from my house where the summer temperatures are blessedly cooler.
When my husband and I were young, we couldn’t afford to stay overnight in out-of-town destinations. But, we could go for the day. We would pack up our two young daughters and go on day-long adventures to the cool mountains and pack a picnic lunch. Oh, what fun we had!
Nowadays my husband and I travel to cooler spots and spend a few days. One of our favorite places is the town of Bisbee in southeastern Arizona.
There is a lot of history in there and we love to explore while enjoying the cooler temps. The photo above is a part of Bisbee called Lowell, which is preserved in time from the 1950s.
Garden Concerns for Extreme Southwest Heat
Speaking about the heat, I’ve heard from a number of people in my membership club who are worried about the lack of flowers they see on their shrubs and groundcovers.
Perhaps you have similar worries…
I want to assure you that this is normal in summer – particularly when monsoon rains have been sporadic and not regular.
Intense heat and dryness tend to make flowering plants slow down and a heatwave can burn flowers of certain plants. There are also a lot of fuss-free plants you can choose for the summer garden that bloom and look beautiful all season long.
Rest assured that they will come back by summer’s end to provide beauty to your outdoor space.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AZ_Plant_Lady_Noelle_Johnson_road_trip.jpeg8641152arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2022-07-27 08:58:002023-08-31 12:17:31Summer Hibernation Mode; What it is All About
Embracing the Desert Heat: Landscaping with Desert-Adapted Plants
Surviving the Summer Scorch with Desert Adapted Plants
Let’s face it…summer can be brutal.
I tend to spend as little time outdoors as possible when temperatures soar above normal ranges. It’s times like this that I praise the inventor of air-conditioning.
While we can escape record-breaking temperatures, our heat-stressed plants can’t.
Beauty in the Heat: Desert-Adapted Plant Landscaping
However, you can create a landscape filled that thrives in the heat by using native or desert-adapted plants. And you know what? Most are very pretty!
Last weekend, I saw a great illustration of this…
Hospital vs. Church Landscaping: Lessons in Adaptation
Our church recently opened up a new campus, filled with new plants, but many of them were struggling to survive the intense heat, even if irrigated properly. Many were planted native to more tropical climates.
After church, my husband and I headed out to the hospital to visit a loved one. The hospital had just undergone a renovation and brand-new landscape areas surrounded the entrance.
I stopped to take a photo of one of the areas that were doing very well so I could share it with you. Full disclosure: if you hang out with me, be prepared for sudden stops to take pictures of plants.
The Secret to Thriving Landscapes
There were two main reasons that the landscape by the hospital was doing better than the one by the church:
The plants by the hospital were better adapted to hot summers – desert marigold (Baileya multiradiata), gold lantana (Lantana ‘New Gold’), and Mexican fence post cactus (Pachycereus marginatus).
Additionally, these plants had been installed three months earlier than the ones at the church. Yes, plants can technically be added any time of year BUT there are times that should be avoided if at all possible – specifically May and June.
Heat-Resilient Gardening
Sometimes you need to add new plants at the wrong time of year due to construction schedules, etc. In that case, I advise the use of shade cloth on a temporary basis for young plants through September IF you see that certain plants are struggling. This is in addition to watering them more often than existing plants in the landscape to help them establish their roots.
Use native or desert-adapted plants (those from other regions with similar weather conditions) to help your garden to be more resilient to hot, dry temperatures and they will need less help from you to beat the heat.
Stay cool friends!
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/IMG_7719.jpeg8881440arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2022-07-20 11:23:002023-09-22 11:35:52Desert Adapted Plants Thriving in the Heat
Transforming Your Bare Block Wall: Exploring Decorative Options
Enhancing Your Outdoor Space
Do you need decorative block wall options for a bare block wall surrounding your backyard?
If your residence is located in California or the Southwest, the chances are high that you have encountered this common architectural feature. Although these walls are known for their durability, they often lack aesthetic charm, leaving much to be desired in terms of their appearance.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to make them look better without spending a lot of money to do so.
Here are my top 3:
1. Planting Large Shrubs
Plant large shrubs along the wall. Look for shrubs that grow at least 5 feet tall and wide. Be sure to allow enough room for the shrubs to grow to their mature size – no ‘poodle-pruning.’ The shrubs will look great while adding texture and color like the ‘Sparky’ Tecoma shrub above. Note: Many people get this wrong by either spacing shrubs too closely together or excessively pruning them.
2. Painting Your Wall for Decorative Block Options
Paint your wall a colorful shade of blue, purple, red, or even yellow. This is a common design style in the Southwest and several of my clients have employed this design strategy. You can add plants like shrubs or cacti along the painted wall for added interest. Garden art also looks great on painted walls and is a useful option when there isn’t enough room for plants to grow.
3. Using Wood Planks
Cover the wall with pine wood planks, arranged horizontally, and stain them an attractive color. The planks of wood can be attached to metal stakes along the back. This creates a very modern look with an organic element. A welcome bonus is a wood decreases the radiated heat that comes off of block walls in summer.
So, if you are tired of looking at a bare block wall, I hope you will explore one of these options.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/IMG_6538.jpeg8161080arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2022-07-14 07:26:002023-09-22 11:51:05Decorative Options to Beautify Bare Block Walls
Have you ever had a big secret that you were dying to tell?
The Big Reveal: My New Dry Climate Gardening Book
Well, I have been keeping a lid on a big project that has consumed most of my time over the past year and now I can finally spill the beans to you…
I have written a book on how to garden in a dry climate!
Oh, it feels so good to be able to tell you my exciting news!
Within the pages of the dry climate gardening book, I share how to create, grow, and maintain a beautiful garden that thrives in a hot, dry climate – whether you live in the desert or in semi-arid Mediterranean regions, you will get helpful advice and practical tips.
A Quarter-Century of Horticultural Expertise
I’ve taken what I’ve learned in my 25+ year career as a horticulturist and landscape consultant and put it all here. As a California native and resident of Arizona, I know the unique challenges that we face gardening where dry climate conditions are prevalent, coupled with hot summers.
I can hardly wait for you to see all I have included within the dry climate gardening book pages!
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Navigating the Hot Early Summer in Your Desert Garden
The Scorching Reality of Early Summer
I don’t need to tell you that early summer desert garden is hot. In mid-June, we typically experience several days of extreme heat. I have many people who ask me what garden tasks CAN they do in their garden right now.
Well, the answer is an easy one…
Do as little as possible.
Embracing Minimalism in Garden Tasks
June is a very stressful time of year for plants because it is very hot and dry so it makes sense to heatproof your garden. Both of these conditions make it hard on plants. In fact, June is the hardest time of year for most plants.
In other words, don’t add new plants, do unneeded pruning, or fertilize.
If you find yourself with new plants still in their nursery pots, put them in a shady spot and water them regularly as they will dry out fast!
Careful with New Additions and Pruning
Pruning is also stressful for plants so limit your pruning to getting your trees ready for monsoon season. If you have some suckers growing mature trees (see photo above), you can prune them off.
Don’t fertilize plants now. Most plants don’t need it with the exception of flowering annuals, herbs, vegetables, and smaller palm trees.
Keep a Watchful Eye on the Summer Desert Garden Plants
In the meantime, get out early in the morning before it gets too hot to make sure there aren’t any plants that are struggling. You may need to add more water or provide temporary shade.
Toward the end of June, the monsoon season will be on its way with extra humidity and hopefully rain, which will provide some relief for plants.
https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/pruning-copy.jpg11921800arizonaplantlady@gmail.comhttp://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.pngarizonaplantlady@gmail.com2022-06-28 10:00:052023-09-22 12:42:58What You Shouldn’t Be Doing in the Early Summer Garden
The Reality of Vegetable Gardening: Unveiling the Secrets
The Pressure of Unrealistic Standards for Vegetables
Have you ever found yourself intimidated by fashion magazines filled with beautiful celebrities and models who are then photoshopped to remove every little imperfection? Or perhaps an Instagram account where the home is filled with natural light, dust-free, and no mislaid items anywhere?
I must admit that I don’t like to follow accounts like that as they promote an unrealistic view and leaves me feeling like something is wrong with me when I don’t look perfect and my house doesn’t either.
Escaping Unreal Expectations
This type of unreal perfection extends to the garden too! Just between you and me, I’ve been to many gardens that are highlighted on social media and they never look quite as good in person.
Believe it or not, vegetables also fall into this unrealistic realm when shown in magazines and online. Articles filled with photographs of perfectly-sized vegetables without a speck of dirt on them can be intimidating to the average vegetable gardener.
Unearthing the Dirty Secret of Vegetable Gardening
Well, I’m here to tell you the truth and reveal two dirty secrets of vegetable gardening with some assistance from my little helper.
Meet Lily: A Gardening Companion
This is my granddaughter Lily who loved to help me in the garden when she was little. She was always a willing helper when it came time to harvest vegetables from my garden.
Toward the end of spring, it was time to harvest the last head of broccoli, pick the carrots, pull the garlic, cut parsley, and harvest the first of our blackberries.
The Real Harvest
This is what our harvest looked like. Not particularly photo-worthy for a magazine or social media, is it? But, this is the reality of what it looks like.
The Dirty Secret: Vegetables Grow in Dirt
If you haven’t guessed the secret about vegetable gardening – it’s that it is DIRTY!
Think about it – vegetables grow in the dirt. They don’t come out clean. In fact, it can take a while to clean the dirt away.
Lily was excited to help me clean the vegetables, so she would fill her ‘My Little Pony’ cup over and over and pour them over the carrots.
In fact, freshly harvested vegetables leave dirt behind on counters, floors too!
And those shiny, clean garden tools and spotless gloves? They don’t exist in a real garden.
Now, here is another secret of vegetable gardening…
The Imperfect Shapes and Sizes are Normal
“Not all the vegetables are the same size and come out unblemished.”
Here are four carrots that I harvested from the same garden. As you can see, they are all different sizes.
The tiny ones, came from an area where I accidentally dropped a small pile of seeds. The large one was a result of an area in the garden that received too much water and the carrot was so big that it broke off as I attempted to pull it out.
Of course, any decent photo would display only the ‘normal-sized’ carrots – but that is not necessarily the truth of what a real garden harvest would look like.
Lily’s Tigger was excited to try some carrots.
Garlic of All Sizes
Here is another example. Our crop of garlic was bountiful. But, notice that there are not all uniform sizes.
While the majority of the garlic harvest is made up of normal-sized garlic heads – there are some very small and some giant heads.
The Illusion of Garden Perfection
But of course, that is not what you see when people typically show off their garden harvest – especially when they are to be photographed.
First, only the most attractive vegetables are shown – ones with no blemishes and uniform size. Second, all the dirt is removed. And finally, the decorative dish towels come out for an attractive background.
I have several decorative dish towels that have never seen a dish and I use them when I photograph vegetables, herbs, etc.
Here is my ‘perfect’ garlic harvest. What is interesting is what you DON’T see. All of them are nicely shaped, roughly the same size, and most of the dirt is gone. This is NOT what they look like when they come in from the garden.
The Best Advice is to Embrace Imperfection
So remember that vegetables aren’t perfectly clean, they may have blemishes and come in all sizes and shapes. So, when you harvest vegetables, don’t worry about perfect-looking vegetables. Remember, it’s the taste that matters!
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Have you ever noticed circular areas missing from your leaves? If so, you aren’t alone. The other day I noticed several of my plants with neat semi-circular sections missing. But, was I worried? Nope, and I’ll tell you why in my latest garden video.
The Enigmatic Damage to Leaves
A Puzzling Leaf Discovery
Noelle: Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a bit of a mystery. As I was strolling through my garden, I couldn’t help but notice something quite peculiar – several of my plant leaves had neat, semi-circular sections missing. Now, I know this might raise some alarms for many gardeners, but fear not, for I’m here to share some insights and reassure you that it’s not as ominous as it might seem.
Noelle: First things first, let’s take a closer look at these mysterious leaf patterns. You can see here on this rosebush, there’s a semi-circular chunk missing from one of the leaves. And over here on this hibiscus, another one. So, what’s going on? Is it some nefarious garden pest?
The Twist in the Tale of Leaves
Noelle: Well, here’s the twist – it’s not a pest at all! In fact, this leaf damage is quite natural and not something to fret over.
You see, the culprits behind these neat, semi-circular holes are none other than the remarkable leafcutter bees. Leafcutter bees are a type of solitary bee, and they are truly fantastic pollinators. What might appear as leaf vandalism is, in fact, a vital part of their unique nesting process.
Leafcutter bees utilize these semi-circular leaf sections to construct their nests. If you take a closer look, you might even spot some of these leaf sections tucked away in the nooks and crannies of your garden.
The Precision of Leafcutter Bees
Meticulous Craftsmen
Noelle: Leafcutter bees are known for their precision. They cut these perfect curves from the edges of leaves, and they’re surprisingly meticulous about it. The remarkable thing is that these bees aren’t interested in damaging your plants; they’re simply striving to build a safe and cozy space for their offspring.
Beneficial Garden Partners
Noelle: Now, here’s the best part – these bees are great for your garden! As they visit your plants to collect nectar and pollen, they’re inadvertently pollinating your flowers. This pollination process is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.
Embrace the Leaf Patterns
A New Perspective
Noelle: So, the next time you come across these mysterious leaf patterns, don’t panic. Instead, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of these industrious leafcutter bees and the positive impact they have on your garden.
Thanks for joining me on this little garden mystery journey. If you enjoyed learning about leafcutter bees and want to see more fascinating garden insights, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and give this video a thumbs up. Happy gardening!
In summary, the seemingly mysterious leaf damage caused by leafcutter bees is nothing to worry about. These industrious pollinators are beneficial to your garden, and their leaf-cutting activities are just part of their nesting process. So, next time you spot these neat, semi-circular holes in your leaves, remember to appreciate the role of leafcutter bees in your garden’s ecosystem. Happy gardening!
Has this happened in your garden? What plants were affected?
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Mishaps in the Garden
desert gardening, Landscape Problems, TreesMishaps in the Garden: Dealing with Unexpected Plant Problems
The Unpredictable Nature of Gardening
In a perfect world, everything runs smoothly with no unexpected problems, and while you may not know what the future holds, it’s always positive.
But, you know that isn’t how life works and this is certainly true in the desert garden.
Seeking Answers for Garden Mishaps
The other day, I was walking through my back garden after returning from summer vacation, and what I noticed didn’t make me happy.
Several plants around my flagstone seating area were dead or barely alive. In fact, I need to replace at least ten plants in this area.
This lead me to wonder why I suffered these mishaps in my garden. The plants are about three-years-old and were doing fine earlier this year.
In the picture above, you can see a part of this area as it looked last fall. As you can see, all the plants are happy and thriving. Sadly, now some of them aren’t – especially the blackfoot daisy and shrubby germander.
So why did some die this summer?
The Culprit: Tree Branch Mishap
Sometimes, the reason a plant dies isn’t readily apparent, but in my case, I knew what the answer was.
Back in June, a large branch from my palo verde tree broke off from being too heavy. Normally, my trees are well-maintained by a certified arborist company. However, due to the labor shortages prevalent post-Covid, most arborists are struggling with insufficient employee numbers.
The Impact of a Lost Shade Provider due to Mishaps in the Garden
So, my tree pruning, which normally takes place in March was postponed until July. As a result, the branch became too laden with new foliage and branches and broke off.
This particular branch shaded the seating area and a large number of plants around it. All of the plants in this area can handle full sun with no problem as long as the plants receive consistent water. However, they were accustomed to the filtered shade offered by the tree. So, when the branch fell, they were exposed to the harsh desert sun without having a chance to adjust to it over several weeks.
Embracing Change in Your Garden
Mishaps like this are part of living with nature and it’s why there are no ‘perfect’ gardens. If you strive for a perfect garden, you are likely to experience disappointment now and then. Mishaps in the garden are common.
In my instance, I am making a list of replacement plants and may try something different in place of the blackfoot daisy – I am not sure what yet.
Unexpected problems like this are often an opportunity to try new plants. Fall is right around the corner, which is the best time of year to add new plants, so I will wait until then to get my new ones in.
I hope that your garden is weathering the summer heat nicely, but if it isn’t, don’t be afraid to try something new this fall!
Got Heat-Stressed Plants?
Agave, Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, Cactus/Succulents, California desert garden, desert gardening, Drought Tolerant, Fuss Free Plant, Landscape Design, Las Vegas gardening, New Mexico garden, Southwest garden, Southwest Texas garden, Succulent GardeningDo you enjoy the summer heat?
I’m going record to state that I’m not a huge fan. I prefer to endure the intense heat indoors in the comfort of air-conditioning.
However, the plants in my garden don’t have that option. They are stuck outside no matter how hot it gets.
I always feel sad when I see plants struggle in the heat of summer. If I could bring them indoors to cool off I would 😉. But, let’s face it, that isn’t realistic or really what is best for plants.
For that reason, you will find the plants around my home are fairly heat-tolerant.
If you think that heat-proof plants are boring (and if I’m being honest, some are), many are attractive and beautiful.
One of my clients has a great example of an eye-catching entry that is fuss-free and shrugs off the heat of summer.
Artichoke agave (Agave parryi v. truncata), golden barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii), and lady’s slipper (Euphorbia lomelii), and yucca create a living sculptural landscape with their unique shapes.
As you can see, you don’t have to settle for a blah garden or one filled with heat-stressed plants. In fact, I loved this example so much that I featured it in my book, “Dry Climate Gardening” which is available for pre-order.
You know that I don’t care for fussy plants – I prefer plants that look great with little effort on my part and this succulent garden is a great example, don’t you agree?
I invite you to take a walk through your garden to see what plants may be stressed from the heat. It may be time for you to switch them out for more heat-tolerant ones.
Summer Hibernation Mode; What it is All About
Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, California desert garden, desert gardening, Ground Covers, Landscape Problems, Las Vegas gardening, Nevada garden, New Mexico garden, Road Trip, Shrubs, Southwest garden, Southwest Texas gardenThe dog days of summer…
By the time midpoint of summer heat arrives, I am firmly in ‘summer hibernation’ mode. I have past all the garden needs in hot early summer and moved on to trying to find a cool spot with a nice glass of lemonade.
Why Summer Hibernation Mode in the Desert
While much of the country stays indoors during the cold of winter, we desert dwellers flip that and spend the hottest days of summer safely ensconced indoors in the comfort of A/C.
Of course, cabin fever can hit, making us venture outside of our homes. That’s where summer getaways come into play.
I’m fortunate that there are many spots in Arizona (where I live) that are just a few hours from my house where the summer temperatures are blessedly cooler.
When my husband and I were young, we couldn’t afford to stay overnight in out-of-town destinations. But, we could go for the day. We would pack up our two young daughters and go on day-long adventures to the cool mountains and pack a picnic lunch. Oh, what fun we had!
Nowadays my husband and I travel to cooler spots and spend a few days. One of our favorite places is the town of Bisbee in southeastern Arizona.
There is a lot of history in there and we love to explore while enjoying the cooler temps. The photo above is a part of Bisbee called Lowell, which is preserved in time from the 1950s.
Garden Concerns for Extreme Southwest Heat
Speaking about the heat, I’ve heard from a number of people in my membership club who are worried about the lack of flowers they see on their shrubs and groundcovers.
Perhaps you have similar worries…
I want to assure you that this is normal in summer – particularly when monsoon rains have been sporadic and not regular.
Intense heat and dryness tend to make flowering plants slow down and a heatwave can burn flowers of certain plants. There are also a lot of fuss-free plants you can choose for the summer garden that bloom and look beautiful all season long.
Rest assured that they will come back by summer’s end to provide beauty to your outdoor space.
Desert Adapted Plants Thriving in the Heat
Arizona garden, Cactus/Succulents, California desert garden, desert gardening, Fuss Free Plant, Ground Covers, Landscape Design, Landscape Problems, Las Vegas gardening, Nevada garden, New Mexico garden, Perennial, Southwest garden, Southwest Texas garden, Succulent Gardening, Sustainable LandscapeEmbracing the Desert Heat: Landscaping with Desert-Adapted Plants
Surviving the Summer Scorch with Desert Adapted Plants
Let’s face it…summer can be brutal.
I tend to spend as little time outdoors as possible when temperatures soar above normal ranges. It’s times like this that I praise the inventor of air-conditioning.
While we can escape record-breaking temperatures, our heat-stressed plants can’t.
Beauty in the Heat: Desert-Adapted Plant Landscaping
However, you can create a landscape filled that thrives in the heat by using native or desert-adapted plants. And you know what? Most are very pretty!
Last weekend, I saw a great illustration of this…
Hospital vs. Church Landscaping: Lessons in Adaptation
Our church recently opened up a new campus, filled with new plants, but many of them were struggling to survive the intense heat, even if irrigated properly. Many were planted native to more tropical climates.
After church, my husband and I headed out to the hospital to visit a loved one. The hospital had just undergone a renovation and brand-new landscape areas surrounded the entrance.
I stopped to take a photo of one of the areas that were doing very well so I could share it with you. Full disclosure: if you hang out with me, be prepared for sudden stops to take pictures of plants.
The Secret to Thriving Landscapes
There were two main reasons that the landscape by the hospital was doing better than the one by the church:
Heat-Resilient Gardening
Sometimes you need to add new plants at the wrong time of year due to construction schedules, etc. In that case, I advise the use of shade cloth on a temporary basis for young plants through September IF you see that certain plants are struggling. This is in addition to watering them more often than existing plants in the landscape to help them establish their roots.
Use native or desert-adapted plants (those from other regions with similar weather conditions) to help your garden to be more resilient to hot, dry temperatures and they will need less help from you to beat the heat.
Stay cool friends!
Decorative Options to Beautify Bare Block Walls
desert gardeningTransforming Your Bare Block Wall: Exploring Decorative Options
Enhancing Your Outdoor Space
Do you need decorative block wall options for a bare block wall surrounding your backyard?
If your residence is located in California or the Southwest, the chances are high that you have encountered this common architectural feature. Although these walls are known for their durability, they often lack aesthetic charm, leaving much to be desired in terms of their appearance.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to make them look better without spending a lot of money to do so.
Here are my top 3:
1. Planting Large Shrubs
Plant large shrubs along the wall. Look for shrubs that grow at least 5 feet tall and wide. Be sure to allow enough room for the shrubs to grow to their mature size – no ‘poodle-pruning.’ The shrubs will look great while adding texture and color like the ‘Sparky’ Tecoma shrub above. Note: Many people get this wrong by either spacing shrubs too closely together or excessively pruning them.
2. Painting Your Wall for Decorative Block Options
Paint your wall a colorful shade of blue, purple, red, or even yellow. This is a common design style in the Southwest and several of my clients have employed this design strategy. You can add plants like shrubs or cacti along the painted wall for added interest. Garden art also looks great on painted walls and is a useful option when there isn’t enough room for plants to grow.
3. Using Wood Planks
Cover the wall with pine wood planks, arranged horizontally, and stain them an attractive color. The planks of wood can be attached to metal stakes along the back. This creates a very modern look with an organic element. A welcome bonus is a wood decreases the radiated heat that comes off of block walls in summer.
So, if you are tired of looking at a bare block wall, I hope you will explore one of these options.
I’ve Written a Book!
desert gardeningHave you ever had a big secret that you were dying to tell?
The Big Reveal: My New Dry Climate Gardening Book
Well, I have been keeping a lid on a big project that has consumed most of my time over the past year and now I can finally spill the beans to you…
I have written a book on how to garden in a dry climate!
Oh, it feels so good to be able to tell you my exciting news!
Within the pages of the dry climate gardening book, I share how to create, grow, and maintain a beautiful garden that thrives in a hot, dry climate – whether you live in the desert or in semi-arid Mediterranean regions, you will get helpful advice and practical tips.
A Quarter-Century of Horticultural Expertise
I’ve taken what I’ve learned in my 25+ year career as a horticulturist and landscape consultant and put it all here. As a California native and resident of Arizona, I know the unique challenges that we face gardening where dry climate conditions are prevalent, coupled with hot summers.
The good news is that you can order your copy now.
I can hardly wait for you to see all I have included within the dry climate gardening book pages!
What You Shouldn’t Be Doing in the Early Summer Garden
desert gardeningNavigating the Hot Early Summer in Your Desert Garden
The Scorching Reality of Early Summer
I don’t need to tell you that early summer desert garden is hot. In mid-June, we typically experience several days of extreme heat. I have many people who ask me what garden tasks CAN they do in their garden right now.
Well, the answer is an easy one…
Do as little as possible.
Embracing Minimalism in Garden Tasks
June is a very stressful time of year for plants because it is very hot and dry so it makes sense to heatproof your garden. Both of these conditions make it hard on plants. In fact, June is the hardest time of year for most plants.
In other words, don’t add new plants, do unneeded pruning, or fertilize.
If you find yourself with new plants still in their nursery pots, put them in a shady spot and water them regularly as they will dry out fast!
Careful with New Additions and Pruning
Pruning is also stressful for plants so limit your pruning to getting your trees ready for monsoon season. If you have some suckers growing mature trees (see photo above), you can prune them off.
Don’t fertilize plants now. Most plants don’t need it with the exception of flowering annuals, herbs, vegetables, and smaller palm trees.
Keep a Watchful Eye on the Summer Desert Garden Plants
In the meantime, get out early in the morning before it gets too hot to make sure there aren’t any plants that are struggling. You may need to add more water or provide temporary shade.
Toward the end of June, the monsoon season will be on its way with extra humidity and hopefully rain, which will provide some relief for plants.
The Dirty Secret of Vegetable Gardening
Arizona garden, California desert garden, desert gardening, Gardening With Kids, Las Vegas gardening, Southwest garden, Vegetable Gardening, vegetablesThe Reality of Vegetable Gardening: Unveiling the Secrets
The Pressure of Unrealistic Standards for Vegetables
Have you ever found yourself intimidated by fashion magazines filled with beautiful celebrities and models who are then photoshopped to remove every little imperfection? Or perhaps an Instagram account where the home is filled with natural light, dust-free, and no mislaid items anywhere?
I must admit that I don’t like to follow accounts like that as they promote an unrealistic view and leaves me feeling like something is wrong with me when I don’t look perfect and my house doesn’t either.
Escaping Unreal Expectations
This type of unreal perfection extends to the garden too! Just between you and me, I’ve been to many gardens that are highlighted on social media and they never look quite as good in person.
Believe it or not, vegetables also fall into this unrealistic realm when shown in magazines and online. Articles filled with photographs of perfectly-sized vegetables without a speck of dirt on them can be intimidating to the average vegetable gardener.
Unearthing the Dirty Secret of Vegetable Gardening
Well, I’m here to tell you the truth and reveal two dirty secrets of vegetable gardening with some assistance from my little helper.
Meet Lily: A Gardening Companion
This is my granddaughter Lily who loved to help me in the garden when she was little. She was always a willing helper when it came time to harvest vegetables from my garden.
Toward the end of spring, it was time to harvest the last head of broccoli, pick the carrots, pull the garlic, cut parsley, and harvest the first of our blackberries.
The Real Harvest
This is what our harvest looked like. Not particularly photo-worthy for a magazine or social media, is it? But, this is the reality of what it looks like.
The Dirty Secret: Vegetables Grow in Dirt
If you haven’t guessed the secret about vegetable gardening – it’s that it is DIRTY!
Think about it – vegetables grow in the dirt. They don’t come out clean. In fact, it can take a while to clean the dirt away.
Lily was excited to help me clean the vegetables, so she would fill her ‘My Little Pony’ cup over and over and pour them over the carrots.
In fact, freshly harvested vegetables leave dirt behind on counters, floors too!
And those shiny, clean garden tools and spotless gloves? They don’t exist in a real garden.
Now, here is another secret of vegetable gardening…
The Imperfect Shapes and Sizes are Normal
“Not all the vegetables are the same size and come out unblemished.”
Here are four carrots that I harvested from the same garden. As you can see, they are all different sizes.
The tiny ones, came from an area where I accidentally dropped a small pile of seeds. The large one was a result of an area in the garden that received too much water and the carrot was so big that it broke off as I attempted to pull it out.
Of course, any decent photo would display only the ‘normal-sized’ carrots – but that is not necessarily the truth of what a real garden harvest would look like.
Lily’s Tigger was excited to try some carrots.
Garlic of All Sizes
Here is another example. Our crop of garlic was bountiful. But, notice that there are not all uniform sizes.
While the majority of the garlic harvest is made up of normal-sized garlic heads – there are some very small and some giant heads.
The Illusion of Garden Perfection
But of course, that is not what you see when people typically show off their garden harvest – especially when they are to be photographed.
First, only the most attractive vegetables are shown – ones with no blemishes and uniform size. Second, all the dirt is removed. And finally, the decorative dish towels come out for an attractive background.
I have several decorative dish towels that have never seen a dish and I use them when I photograph vegetables, herbs, etc.
Here is my ‘perfect’ garlic harvest. What is interesting is what you DON’T see. All of them are nicely shaped, roughly the same size, and most of the dirt is gone. This is NOT what they look like when they come in from the garden.
The Best Advice is to Embrace Imperfection
So remember that vegetables aren’t perfectly clean, they may have blemishes and come in all sizes and shapes. So, when you harvest vegetables, don’t worry about perfect-looking vegetables. Remember, it’s the taste that matters!
My Secret Vegetable Gardening Tool…
5 Ways to Save Water in the Dry Climate Garden
desert gardeningLess water doesn’t mean a boring garden. Here are 5 tips for a beautiful, dry climate garden that saves water.
What’s Chewing On My Leaves?
Arizona garden, AZ Plant Lady, California desert garden, desert gardening, Landscape Problems, Nevada garden, New Mexico garden, Perennial, Roses in the Desert, Shrubs, Southwest gardenHave you ever noticed circular areas missing from your leaves? If so, you aren’t alone. The other day I noticed several of my plants with neat semi-circular sections missing. But, was I worried? Nope, and I’ll tell you why in my latest garden video.
The Enigmatic Damage to Leaves
A Puzzling Leaf Discovery
Noelle: Hey there, fellow garden enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into a bit of a mystery. As I was strolling through my garden, I couldn’t help but notice something quite peculiar – several of my plant leaves had neat, semi-circular sections missing. Now, I know this might raise some alarms for many gardeners, but fear not, for I’m here to share some insights and reassure you that it’s not as ominous as it might seem.
Noelle: First things first, let’s take a closer look at these mysterious leaf patterns. You can see here on this rosebush, there’s a semi-circular chunk missing from one of the leaves. And over here on this hibiscus, another one. So, what’s going on? Is it some nefarious garden pest?
The Twist in the Tale of Leaves
Noelle: Well, here’s the twist – it’s not a pest at all! In fact, this leaf damage is quite natural and not something to fret over.
You see, the culprits behind these neat, semi-circular holes are none other than the remarkable leafcutter bees. Leafcutter bees are a type of solitary bee, and they are truly fantastic pollinators. What might appear as leaf vandalism is, in fact, a vital part of their unique nesting process.
Leafcutter bees utilize these semi-circular leaf sections to construct their nests. If you take a closer look, you might even spot some of these leaf sections tucked away in the nooks and crannies of your garden.
The Precision of Leafcutter Bees
Meticulous Craftsmen
Noelle: Leafcutter bees are known for their precision. They cut these perfect curves from the edges of leaves, and they’re surprisingly meticulous about it. The remarkable thing is that these bees aren’t interested in damaging your plants; they’re simply striving to build a safe and cozy space for their offspring.
Beneficial Garden Partners
Noelle: Now, here’s the best part – these bees are great for your garden! As they visit your plants to collect nectar and pollen, they’re inadvertently pollinating your flowers. This pollination process is an essential aspect of maintaining a healthy garden ecosystem.
Embrace the Leaf Patterns
A New Perspective
Noelle: So, the next time you come across these mysterious leaf patterns, don’t panic. Instead, take a moment to appreciate the hard work of these industrious leafcutter bees and the positive impact they have on your garden.
Thanks for joining me on this little garden mystery journey. If you enjoyed learning about leafcutter bees and want to see more fascinating garden insights, don’t forget to hit that subscribe button and give this video a thumbs up. Happy gardening!
In summary, the seemingly mysterious leaf damage caused by leafcutter bees is nothing to worry about. These industrious pollinators are beneficial to your garden, and their leaf-cutting activities are just part of their nesting process. So, next time you spot these neat, semi-circular holes in your leaves, remember to appreciate the role of leafcutter bees in your garden’s ecosystem. Happy gardening!
Has this happened in your garden? What plants were affected?