Welcome to the Garden Chapter!

by local gardener Tana

May 2007

Spring is here and after decent rains this winter, Thunder Ridge is blooming with more wildflowers than we have seen in a number of years. Examples are sand verbena, desert marigold, Indian paint brush, globe mallow and four-o’clocks. There are more but not enough space to list them all. Seeds can be harvested, dried and transplanted with success. The area is still in a 10-year plus drought looking at some recovery, we hope.

For those here or not yet in the area, some of our native trees and shrubs include crucifixion thorn, creosote, soap tree yucca, juniper, and cat’s claw. They can provide privacy to your lots and they help prevent erosion. They all have beauty. Many of these “plants” can become gangly and ugly but with a little pruning can become gorgeous additions to your landscape and I encourage all new home builders to reign in your contractors from raping your land. Have them tape off areas and keep the nativescape alive. Some of the junipers and crucifixion thorns are well over a hundred years old. Once they are gone....

For gardeners, other than being in California, this is the best place I have lived to play in the dirt. Everything grows here, and fairly quickly because we have sun, sun, sun.... yes, that means it gets hot, hot, hot but better than the alternative as a friend from Chicago told me yesterday; her tennis game was canceled due to snow 2 weeks ago and that was mid-April.

This is a new column for the newsletter and web and it can be whatever owners want it to be. Let me know.

Here are a few tips learned over the years:

Water in the Am or late Pm; it “decreases evaporation”. Have an irrigation system as part of your building plan. Mulch is great stuff! Our soil (using the term lightly) is primarily caliche and alkaline. Plant more cold tender plants on the south and west side of your property; they have a better chance to survive some of the subfreezing times we DO get.

Look for drought-resistant varieties of plants. Do not put already established natives on irrigation. You will loose them ... BUT they don’t mind a little water now and then. I sure do when it is a 100 degrees plus ... Newly planted natives need supplemental water for a few years.

Trees do provide shade, privacy and help cool your house a bit, but remember, you need defensible space around your house.

Brush and clipping piles - these are fire hazards AND they are great homes for critters you may not want - rattlers, pack rats and mice.

Cacti and succulents - we have hedgehog and prickly pear varieties in the wild on the property. They survive on whatever Mother Nature gives them. However if you plant them: acclimate to the sun; the greenhouse grows them under shade cloth. Deep water cacti, then they need to dry out.

Temperatures:
	90-100 degrees	- water weekly
	80’s	- water every 2 weeks
	70’s and below	- water every 4-6 weeks

Fertilize monthly during the growing season with 1/4 strength fertilizer (all-purpose for flowers is ok).

There are tons of Southwest gardening books available. A good local source for scientifically based research and information is the Master Gardener Office in Cottonwood at (928)646-9113 ext 14. The phone line is staffed 9-3 Monday-Thursday. Drop in with problems or call. Also the office has tons of informative handouts for tackling gardens in this area. AND do ask your friends and neighbors. Gardeners love sharing.

Happy gardening,