Vynnie the Gardener

Booo!

2011-10-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!!!

Reflecting

2011-07-10T20:23:00.002-07:00

Alright, that last post even got me depressed, looking at all that dead stuff - in MY garden! I'm sure it probably wasn't very inspiring for you out there. So, to put a smile back on your screen, I thought I'd share some of my 'Firsts' of the season.

Our first batch of heirloom tomatoes! And this from one of our plants weathered over from last year.

(Frank can't wait for his first lick of salsa.)

This was the first year we grew strawberries (planted 2010Nov), and they have produced constantly since April. Even more since June - who knew they loved summer so much!

(Putting this one on my vision board.)

We had our fist wave of cosmos wildflowers since 2004! I think there is too much shade in the back garden. mmmmm...shade....

(Calling all butterflies!)

This year we grew zucchini from seed, and even under the shade of our huge pine trees, they're putting out nice fruit.

(Smiling big for zucchini!)

(First zucchini-tomato tryst. Hey you three, get a fridge!)

(This big guy was able to barter for a whole dozen eggs.)

Much to my surprise, our lisbon lemon tree even budded up it's first fruit. Pretty early, but I hope it's a good sign of things to come.

(Here come the lemons!)

Perhaps the best first of the season, was our first ever patio umbrellas. They have done so much for the garden already.

(Our first love - sanctuary!)

About That Summer Gardening Thing...

2011-07-10T16:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, I kinda take it back. Just becuase you're not outside right now, doesn't mean you're not a 'real' desert gardener. I mean, it IS pretty hot. Well, let me be more specific; it's rediculously hot, and CA-RAZY humid! That's where I draw my line. 110*degrees+, combined with humidity above 20%percent would only feel pleasant if you have webbed wings, a barbed tail, and red is your favorite color. I'm just a 'dry heat' kind of guy.

(Hey chickie, off the nice lawn!)

In honor of the impressive heat, today I'd root for the hot Team USA in the Soccer World Cup, while I do some indoor gardening, in the form of reflection. Here is a brief peek at what's been happening - er, not happening - here at Xericopia. Hope your garden is surviving through it all. Would love to hear about it!

(Farewell to my seedlings.)

(Farewell to more seedlings...)

(Tomato plant hanging on by a crispy thread.)

(Lavender?! Seriously?!)

(Even my luecaphylum texas sage can't cope with this humidity.)

The Truth About Broccoli

2011-07-03T15:20:00.002-07:00

Finally harvested the last of the broccoli! Well, sort of. Typically, 'broccoli' is know as the coral reef looking green stuff that causes most children to skip dessert. Yes, this is all accurate, but did you know broccoli is also leaves and stems?

Unlike a lot of other veggies, broccoli is 100% edible! The floret can be steamed, grilled, sauteed, or eaten raw with a yummy dip. The leaves are great to saute' into a spicy dish, or chop fine and blanch to add to a mixed green salad. The stems are perfect in a soup stock, or for morning juicing with apple, cucumber, romaine, and beets.

As part of the cabbage family, this cruciferous vegetable is packed with vitamins C and A. Broccoli also boost the body's antioxidant defenses, while lowering LDL cholesterol. (read more here)

So even long after the 'broccoli season' is passed, I'm still enjoy the yummy and nutritious benefits of broccoli.

(Chop it, steam it, juice it! Before Frank eats it all!)

The Gardening Season Begins...

2011-06-19T23:07:00.119-07:00

Yes. it's June, and now the gardening season begins....Here, in Phoenix. If you're not willing to garden during these toasty months, keep your seat and watch the big kids play.

I spent much of April and May in the whirlwind of house projects. The frontyard farm beds are built and planted. Two shade trees installed. A new roof finally happened (perhaps the most un-nerving week of my life). Immediately followed by some much needed extreme pruning. So much, I didn't even compost it all. A lot of it was bougainvillea and oleander, so no real heartbreak. All this in preparation for the house painting to come.

(brbrbrbr! crack-crack-crack! thud-klunk! thud-klunk! pop-pop-pop! brbrbrbrbrbrbrbr!!!!)

(With the bougainvillea fully grown, this wall is rarely seen.)

(I'm all for going green, but this might be over doing it.)

(Since when did gardens become storage units?)

With the garden converted to a garage, not much planting was in the cards. Thus, birthed the new mission of keeping hope alive - and all my little seedlings. The spring was incredibly nice, and summer has now arrived with muscles flexed in the shape of a lot of 110*days in the forecast.

(Where's Hawkeye and Pierce? This is the triage tent, right?)

So while the house got stripped, shaved, and a new makeover, I got into some serious gardening - COMPOSTING! Yup, this is real gardening. If your not willing to grow your own dirt, you've just got a yard hobby. That's the great thing about composting; it can be done anytime of the day, anytime of the year, and you're still making nice progress. I haven't purchased a mulch/soil/amendment product in over four years. And I have a jug of fertilizer on a shelf that I've pretty much forgotten about. For me, it's all about sifted soil and compost tea to make a happy garden.

(mmm...compost...)

And the yard work just keeps on coming - but this I'm not complaining about. Firing up the new barbecue grill garden is a little sweat time I'll gladly sign-up for.

(Vynnie the Gardener chillin' and grillin' at Xericopia!)

Is This Thing On...?

2011-06-05T14:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, so my attempt to blog for 30 days wasn't quite successful. I didn't think spring would require so much outdoor time. So just a quick catch-up, here are the top ten things happening here at Xericopia:
(1) Got a new greenhouse built (yea!!). Now all my little seedlings can suffer in the quiet comfort of shade.

(2) Started two new waves of crops. First wave planted out was: eggplant, tomato, squash, cucumber, sunflower, hollyhock, collards, kale, and dill.

(3) Watched my collards, kale, and dill die a slow death from aphids and powdery mildew from all that non-stop wind. (I should've planted kites instead.)

(4) Second wave of crops getting happy and ready to graduate: Cucumber, sun gold tomato, thai eggplant, bell pepper, hibiscus, beet, purple carrot, lemon balm, rainbow chard, italian kale. (Oh yeah, that's how I roll in the heat)

(5) The hotter it gets, the more blooms I see - cactus, zephyranthes, hibiscus Oh My!

(6) Harvested our first tomato of the season. This heirloom plant weathered over from 2010Spring and is producing like crazy.

(7) I learned flies have at least one redeeming quality, they pollinate strawberries. We have been harvesting a handful of strawberries every week (damn flies)

(8) Acquired some amazing patio umbrellas from World Market. Now we have even more sanctuary in the garden.

(9) The ipomea morning glory is on the move. I guess that means summer is really here.

(10) Sent Vynnie the Gardener to Bartlett Lake for a little break with friends. Vitamin D is essential to garden health, ya know.

So thems the happs 'round these parts here at Xericopia. Loads more to come. Keep shady!

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day6

2011-04-06T23:52:00.094-07:00

Here comes the rain! At least, that's what the 'meteorologists' are saying. On cool cloudy days, I make a concerted effort to do just one thing here at Xericopia - OBSERVE. This is still, in my book, the most important garden practice of all. Plus, why get all sweaty and dirty when the weather is so nice.

(serenity now, serenity now...)

I noticed my squash seedlings are making an entrance into the garden. Lots to plant and plenty to share (wink wink, nudge nudge, know-what-I-mean).

(Summer squash making their appearance!)

I have sunflowers galore, and the season is just getting started. These things come up like weeds everywhere (but not as bad as the hollyhocks). Sunflowers are perfect for simple bouquets around the house with lavender or penstemon or snapdragons. And, the flower petals are edible, so great for salads. The seeds I leave for the birdies in the garden (sparrows, finches, verdins, toehees, oh my).

(The sunflower garden is showing off)

Each year I have more and more of these red roses. Originally, I acquired the plant from a project in 2006 where I dug up the root stock. It only took it two years to start blooming and hasn't slowed. It only gets about 4 hours of sun, doesn't get fertilized, and not a whole lot of attention. I wonder if I talked to it more often if it would produce more roses? Something new to explore...

One neat surprise I discovered was another cauliflower. This was a bit hidden in the sunflower garden until the leaves got big. I couldn't quite recall what it was (broccoli? cabbage? brussel sprouts?). But, like everything else in the garden (including weeds!), just wait long enough and it's sure to bloom. Then you can figure out what to do with it.

(yummy cauliflower - ready for roasting with carrots and chard!)

With more rain expected in the weather forecast, expect more eye-time and smiles around Xericopia. (now go plant some seeds!!!)

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day5

2011-04-05T23:38:00.010-07:00

It's hot! Well, kinda really warm. Especially if you're outdoors for more than 30 minutes - try 6 hours. The forecast called for 87* degrees, and the nice breeze out seemed promising. I had tree pruning scheduled for my HUGE pine trees. The guys at Tree Amigos were johnny on the spot and on top of things, literally.

(Andy out on a limb)

I felt inspired, and off I went to do my own band of crazy pruning. First stop, bougainvillea. The frost of 2011 left me with a mess-o-dead-stuff. This was just 2 of 7 bvilla I had to tackle.

(from this...)

(to this!)

After that (and some gauze, witch hazel, bandages, few tears...) I dove into the dubious task of removing my tevitia trees. They got pretty zapped, and that was enough to nudge me to action. I plan to replace them with white lady banks roses.

(I'm kinda diggin' the open look...for now.)

By this point I was pretty pooped, and so were those Tree Amigos. So, from the garden to the kitchen I whipped up some tasty refreshments.

(Here's to a day well done)

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day4

2011-04-04T23:50:00.015-07:00

Got a late start today, and I really wasn't excited about the heat - forecast for 87* degrees - which is still way warm for early April. So I kept my garden time pretty short. I had to get my tomatoes planted! After a quick 20 minutes of watering, I started making room for tomatoes. I chopped down the spicy mustard, pak choi, and a couple of romaine lettuces.

(elbow room for my new tomatoes)

Here's one tip that some gardeners miss. When your plants are done, DON'T rip them out of the ground. Cut the plant away, then cultivate the roots into the soil. Why, you may ask? The roots are pulling nutrients from the soil, and, therefore, are full of nutrients. I like to bury the old root stump so it can decompose releasing all those nutrients back into the soil. I also dump a scoop of fresh compost in the hole to expedite the process.

(root stumps packed with rich nutrients)

Since I'm sharing tips, here's one of my favorites. When planting tomatoes, bury 'em! Literaly. You'll notice at the base of a tomato stem some bumps or nodes. When in contact with soil, these nodes will produce roots. So, you can double or triple the roots, making a stronger more productive plant. (This can also work with peppers and eggplant.)

I remove the few lower leaves on my tomato, lay it down into the planting hole (1"-2"inches deep), and cover it up. The plant (above ground) will grow vertically with no issues.

(making a cozy bed for tomato)

I planted five tomatoes today, with many more to come (8-12 more) once I make more space (and planting beds). For the meantime, I took my pile of cuttings and headed across the street to see some new friends.

(bygone pak choi, chard, mustard, nasturtium, and mint)

With a pile of old veggies for friends like these...

(Bagby Lady Birds!)

You can score a nice batch of these!

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day3

2011-04-03T23:25:00.002-07:00

It's Sunday, time to relax! In a minute. First, I had to harvest some fresh strawberries! My first [successful] attempt at growing organic strawberries, and I'd say I'm impressed ("Nice work Vynnie." "Why, thank you, Vynnie"). I got to them just in time too; a baby earwig was already at work on one of them.

My wife and I made a day of it, just on the patio. Fresh strawberries, french press coffee, a nice breeze, and a whole lot of happy nature.

(snapdragon, angelita daisy, lavender, penstemon making smiles)

Enjoy!

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day2

2011-04-02T20:13:00.156-07:00

The good thing about today was that the garden schedule was all scheduled; I spent most of my garden time in gardens elsewhere, at the Art&Flowers Garden Tour sponsored by the Phoenix Art Museum League. (Some of my own handiwork was even on display, below)

(xeriscape oasis nestled under a palo verde tree)

(a spectacle of columnar cactuses on display)

One of my favorite features on the tour was this eclectic garden with recycled metal works, an edible garden space, a huge rooster sculpture, and some very shy chickens.

(welcome to Cluckingham Palace!)

The tour showed off some cool houses and amazing gardens. It was nice to meet the homeowners and get some back story on the evolution of each garden. I also ran into my ol' pal Thomas Park of Xerophytic Design who created an amazing space for one happy resident of the Willo Historic Neighborhood.

(Thomas showing off his genius use of materials)

It was an enjoyable day, even with the almost 100* degree heat. Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

(frontyard bed brimming with goodies!)

All inspired from the garden tour, I had to get outside (after a large iced beverage) and do some stuff. Most pressing was the need to 'bump-up' my tomato seedlings to full grown plant status. In the plastic container below (a re-purposed lettuce tub) were 16 little guys waiting to exhale!

(time for some elbow room)

It was a delicate process seperating some of them completely bare-root (don't worry, they will survive). Tomatoes are great because they are such durable plants. I also had a batch of tomatillos as well. They will live in 1gal cans for a couple of weeks as I find new homes for them all.

(graduation day!)

My final effort of the day was harvesting seeds. Lots and lots of seeds. Pak choi, kale, spicy mustard, red romaine, arugula, broccolini, and cauliflower. Best way I've found for collecting seeds is using paper bags. Let the seed pods on the plant get as large as possible to where you see the bumpy texture of the seed inside. Cut the stems off the plant, fold them in half, and stuff them into the bag. The pods will dry and pop open releasing the seeds.

I label the bag with the plant name (pak choi), date harvested (2011APR02), and the source from where I originally acquired the plant or seeds (a Seattle gardener). These will store in a dry cool place until after summer (about 6months).

(bok choi - bag it and tag it)

Lastly, I took some time to observe; 2 butterflies, 1 nosy carpenter bee, 1 male hummingbird, 3 (now dead) mosquitoes, and 1 surprising new bloom...

(here come the hollyhocks - finally!)

30 Days In The Gardener's Garden: Day1

2011-04-01T23:25:00.003-07:00

100* degrees (officially). Was this an April Fools joke?!?!

Yep, we're already there into the triple digits and I haven't even planted a single tomato yet. My morning was pretty much consumed with crisis management. My usual routine of watering my container plants and checking on my starter seeds, included moving all my flats to more protected areas (not that I have much of that).

(spinach, sweet peas, tomatoes, and more!)

To keep everything extra safe (hopefully), I also set up some quick shade.

(I prefer using frost fabric for shade cover; lightweight and easy to handle)

With things watered and covered, I could proceed with my favorite garden chores - observation and mental journaling.

(broccoli re-sprouting after initial harvest - now it's a broccolini)

(buddleia wooly butterfly bush - perhaps my favorite plant in the garden)

By the time I returned home from a long day out in the sun, the day had topped out at 102* degrees in central phoenix. Everything was now relaxing in the setting shade with no casualties to speak of. Whew. Hello summer (yikes...).

Spring Is Here...

2011-04-01T11:56:00.000-07:00

It's springtime - or as I like to call it, "pre-summer" - and things are happening here at Xericopia.

Click on the link below to see more.
Springtime at Xericopia

GO GREENBAY!!!

2011-02-06T20:11:00.002-07:00

Super Bowl-Winning Green Juice!

Pack on some nutrition like the Super Bowl Champs!

I Was Wrong....

2011-02-01T17:38:00.006-07:00

Yep, I thought we were done with the freeze danger. My wife was adamant we weren't quite in the clear yet. Since I don't watch much news, I'm not always current on what the 'meteorologists' are talking about. As I scrambled around the garden in the unrelenting wind, my wife came out to capture me at my most graceful moment. So cover up, leave 'em on, and harvest your goodies!

(Surrender Dorothy!)

(Sample of the forced early harvest)

What To Do Wednesday - Start Your Seedlings!!!

2011-01-12T23:10:00.004-07:00

With winter pretty much done (yes, Phoenix style - rain, chill, frost, warm...) it's now time to start thinking, plotting, and planning for spring. Before you know it, spring weekend will appear and then it's...you-know-what. So, as winter begins to warm and hover in the 60's and 70's, conditions will be ripe for sowing seeds.

(starter cells with broccoli, pak choi, kale, and chard)

I generally start seeds on a monthly cycle, that way I've always got something going (or trying to get going). Using recycled nursery planting cells, I fill them up with fine, sifted compost soil. I set 1-2 seeds in each cell, top with soil, then pack gently. For simple record (since I've given up on maintaining a garden journal), I lay out my seed packets, make a date marker, and take a picture. I can later print this out and just tape it into my garden journal (so there).

(Loads of baby veggies soaking up some sun after the rain)

So far from my december tinkerings, I have a beavy of lettuce, kale, chard and choi. I'll later thin them out (and attempt to transplant) once they're about 1"-2" inches tall, at approximately 30 days growth. I use a pump sprayer and water these guys 2-3 times a day when it's sunny.

I'm even doing some daring stuff with warm season crops like cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. Hopefully, the early start will give me some breathing room when spring season really warms up and EVERYTHING has to be done.

(Heirloom and organic tomatoes, peppers, and tomatillos)

In addition to my edible seeds, I'm also working on perennial and wildflower seeds such as cosmos, echenacea, rudebekia, delphenium, hollyhock, salvia, and penstemon. I even managed to start some camomile (whoo-hooo! Finally after years of trying!)

(Here comes camomile!)

The great thing about starting seeds is the cost payoff - if I get at least 50% yeild from a seed packet, that could easily result in $50-$100 of savings. Granted, I do have to invest time and labor, but what kind of a gardener would I be if I didn't? (Now, where am I going to plant all this stuff???)

Grow it, Cook it - Sweet Potato

2011-01-07T15:02:00.002-07:00

One of my favorite foods to cook with is the potato. It's where french fries come from! Realistically speaking, I haven't had much luck with russet/white potatoes in the garden, but sweet potatoes are a cinch. Which is not a bad thing since sweet potatoes are much more nutritious.

I discovered growing sweet potatoes on a couple of different occasions by accident. The first was when I dropped a hanging basket brimming with ipomea blackie potato vine. It exploded when it hit the ground, to find very little soil in the pot, but a cluster of root-bound tubers - potatoes!

(sweet potato growing in reclaimed chimney flue)

The other time I was turning compost and unearthed a healthy albino potato vine struggling for sunlight, coming from a wedge of sweet potato cast out of the kitchen months ago.
In my case, it took a few seasons (otherwise a really nice sunny location) to produce a handful of small potatoes just using slips (chunks of potato that started growing eyes). But over time, they should produce better with each season.

Here is one of my easy recipes, "sweet rosemary medallions". What you'll need:

- 2 med/lg sweet potatoes (slice to medallions)

- 3-6 stems of rosemary (finely chopped)

- olive oil (spray)

- sea salt

- pepper

(ready for the oven)

I lay out the potato slices, lightly spray with oil, sprinkle the rosemary on them, and salt and pepper. Flip them over and do the same.
Stick them in the oven on 350* degrees and bake for about 15minutes or until they brown nicely.

(roasted chicken breast, baked beans, and rosemary sweet medallions)

I serve them with just about anything from broccoli to brussel sprouts, chicken or fish. They even work as a cold snack (especially for those late night trips to the kitchen).
Enjoy!

Happy New Winter!

2011-01-03T17:06:00.000-07:00

Happy New Year to all!

Here in Phoenix we didn't expect a white Christmas, but I certainly experienced a 'white' New Year's eve.

(snow - Xericopia style)

The garden beds here at Xericopia were blanketed with...well, blankets. It got cold here! I know, it sounds wussy just being a mere low of 33* degrees. But for our heat loving gardens, that can really ruin the festive spirit. Especially the edibles!

I covered a few garden beds but some areas I left open. Partly, because I know certain plants can withstand major cold (and some things I just wanted to test). I also had a lot of plants I just had to move onto the patio or indoors for assured safety.

(cucumber seedlings and hibiscus hiding from the cold!)

I'm aware of which areas of the garden trap cold air, and which areas prevent the frost from settling in. How do I know this?

(thermometer on ground next to garden bed)

Every year I place a few thermometers in spots to check just how cold it gets. I set them on the ground too, that way I know what the plants are experiencing (ground level and eye level can vary 3-5* degrees). My garden - ground level - got down to 28* degrees (five straight days below 30*) and all of the birdbaths and rain buckets froze over solid.

The frost covers trap in soil warmth from the day, which slowly releases through the night. It also prevents tiny frost particles from collecting on top of plants. You can even leave the frost covers on through the day creating a greenhouse effect for plants. Some plants may still experience minor leaf damage but the plant won't die.

(twinkle twinkle happy plants!)

Some plants may still experience minor leaf damage but the plant won't die. For super protection, I some of my extra christmas lights and dress them around my specialty plants, then cover them up. It also makes for a charming garden display at night.

Grow it, Cook it - Okra!

2010-11-11T13:37:00.003-07:00

Like many of you, I'm sure, the crazy hail storm of 2010 destroyed my garden. Yes, DESTROYED.
But every storm reveals a silver lining...
A week before the storm I luckily picked all the okra from my plants (yea me!). It actually took around 10 days for a nice batch (2 fruit one day, 3 fruit the next...). Having only 3 plants, I would harvest each okra at about 4"-6"inches, before they got too firm and woody.

(4th and final okra harvest of 2010)

First thing to working with okra in the kitchen, DON'T WASH IT until you're ready to eat it. It can get slimy if you wash it and store it. I keep it in a plastic bag in the fridge until I'm ready (or have enough) to cook it up. It can keep for 7-10days.
My favorite way to cook okra is browned it the skillet (Southern Cali style). It's my modification on the traditional deep fried okra (plain ol' Southern style).

Slice up the okra about a quarter to half an inch thick (toss the stems and tips into the compost). Throw it all in a bowl with a lid.

Give the okra a quick splash of [olive] oil then sprinkle in your favorite seasonings and some breading. (We make out own bread crumbs using Bianco bread and Trader Joe's multi-grain bread.) In the bowl, pop on the lid and do the ol' shake'n'bake dance til the okra is well coated.

Heat up a skillet to with 2-3 tablespoons of oil, add in the okra then cover. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flip/toss occasionally to keep from sticking or burning, and taste for texture (not firm but not all mushy either).

(Good ol' cast iron - Grandma would be proud.)

We usually enjoy okra with chicken and sweet potatoes; or with salmon, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy (shown below).

(uh, yum!)

Wet and Wow: 10/05/2010

2010-10-05T22:34:00.005-07:00

Yikes...Boo-Hoo....Oh well.

What To Do Wednesday - Compost Compost Compost

2010-09-15T23:38:00.003-07:00

With the summer heat lingering on and on and on (yep, about 2 more weeks so suck it up), planting isn't the best thing to be doing in the garden right now. So what, then?

(sifted compost - from chunky to fine)

Compost! If you haven't started composting already, summer time is the best to try it. Composting is an organic chemical process where nitrogen and carbon react and generate heat. This is bazillions of tiny micro-organisms at work.

(compost pile - lawn clippings, kitchen scraps, shredded papers)

Composting is a great way to go green and manage waste around the house. Lawn clippings, shrub trimmings, and tree leaves are the basis of a great compost pile. But did you know there are loads of other things you put into your compost instead of into the garbage can? Kitchen scraps, paper towels, shredded documents, dryer lint, pet hair, old flower bouquets, even old cotton clothing.
(click here to see the super-duper list of things you can compost)

(compost storage - ready to use)

When my compost is 'good enough', I store it in old nursery cans. This way I always have it at the ready to go into the garden.

(compost used in edible garden beds)

Whether I need to add more mulch around plants or amend planting beds, compost is the perfect blend of soil nutrients without having to measure or worry about over-fertilizing. With my finely sifted compost, I can even use it as a potting soil.

(fine compost used as potting soil for starting new tomato seedlings)

So do something nice for your garden, your plants, and your earth, and compost.

Monday Menu - Salsaliciousness

2010-09-13T20:28:00.001-07:00

I just couldn't help myself. My wife and I were shopping at Whole Foods last weekend and just as you step into the cool air, you're staring at a pile of heirloom tomatoes.

(Whole Foods got whole lotta tomatoes)

One tomato, two tomato, three tomato, four. Five tomato, six tomato, I wish I could get more!

After gobbling down my last batch of salsa a week ago, I've been thinking about it ever since. So off to the kitchen I went to start chopping!

- 4 large tomatoes

- 2 bell peppers

- 4 green onion

- 2 cloves elephant garlic

- 1/2 bunch cilantro

- 1 'aged' jalapeno pepper

(Shezilla needs some spicy fuel!)

This salsa is so good 'everybody' wants some!

Monday Menu - Pasta Veggies

2010-08-30T23:39:00.001-07:00

A bit of fresh delight for summertime dining.

whole wheat organic pasta (al dente)
pesto (fresh basil from the garden)
sun gold & cherry tomatoes (fresh from the garden)
basil leaves (fresh from the garden)
grated parmesan cheese
balsamic reduction

Enjoy!

Monday Menu - Zuccini "Pasta"

2010-08-23T12:40:00.004-07:00

Yummm! This was a huge surprise! My wife found this neat spiraliny thingy on the internet, and we ventured to give it a try.

It Is Awesome!
After a few goofs getting the hang of it, we got the zuccini loaded into the machine and cranked away, producing some nice pasta noodle - but it's all vegetable.

( add grilled chicken with a light zesty baste)

We topped off the veggie-pasta with some homemade pesto and fresh picked tomatoes from the garden.

( final harvest of the season)

From the garden to the table, the whole meal took about 30minutes (including the chicken on the grill). Bone-apa-tee!

Monday Menu - Salsa Violet Verde

2010-08-09T15:04:00.001-07:00

It's hot. Really hot. Even I hate being out in the garden right now (and those of you who know me, know I love being out in the summer heat. Crazy, I know).
So, as I stared out the kitchen window watching my aloe, lantana, and gravel melt, I had a cool inspiring idea - I'll make salsa! Well, actually, more salsa. (I LOVE salsa)
It would be a refreshing treat and a much needed distraction since I can't be outside. Luckily, I harvested tomatoes a few days ago so the kitchen is well stocked.

I decide to make my very own specialty - violet verde salsa. Shown above are cilantro, poblano peppers, long green peppers, all from the farmer's market; then the bell peppers, green onions, tomatoes and tomatillos are all right from the backyard. What makes this recipe so unique are the heirloom violet jasper tomatoes and purple toma verde tomatillos (thank you Rachel!!)

(succulent violet jasper tomatoes and crisp toma verde tomatillos)

I also add some elephant garlic (locally grown), lime (locally grown), and sea salt (OK, not so local, but delicious). In all, it took about 40 minutes (I love using my knives) and produced about 4 cups of deliciousness.

(click on image to drool)

I could pretty much eat this salsa with a spoon, but some baked tortilla chips add a level of sophistication. Bone-apa-tee.

What To Do Wednesday - SEEDS!

2010-08-04T15:18:00.007-07:00

Start those seeds!

(seedlings at 6 weeks, bumped up to 1gal cans)

Summer is in full phase here in Phoenix. 110* degrees is a regular visitor, and so is the humidity. (UUUGH) Even I'm not interested in being outside (those who know me, know that's bad). So, instead of suffering the elements and testing the wilt level of a human being, I've been inside starting seeds.

I'm still doing some summer crop seeds, even though it's pretty late in the season. (Remember, here in Phoenix, winter doesn't really start until December.) It just means I'll have nice goodies for the holidays, and that's not a bad thing. Canteloupe, watermelon, honeydew, eggplant, okra, and of course, pumpkin! (Notice, these are all very large seeds)

(seedlings at about 2 weeks getting early morning sun)

Many of the easiest edibles to start from seed work best in the warm season. My seed germination rate is usually about 90%percent, which amazes to me every time. The trick is making sure I'll have enough planting space to accommodate everything. (If not, I'll have some nice garden gifts)Once the seedlings come up, I make my marker stakes (if they don't come up, no point in having markers). I note the plant, the seed brand, the maturation date, and the date I started the seed.

So have a little fun with a whole lot of seeds!

What To Do Wednesday - Cover 'Em Up

2010-07-07T16:24:00.004-07:00

Yeah, it's hot. REALLY hot. Last week we had three days over 110*degrees. But that's what we expect in the summertime living in Phoenix. The problem is, we plant things that don't expect to live in these kinds of heat conditions - especially vegetables.

(sunburn on tomato fruit)

Temperatures in the triple digits will surely cause irreparable damage like scalding on fruit, stems, and branches. And don't be fooled thinking more water is needed. Additional watering can exacerbate the problem, eventually, causing the plant to stress out and die.

(dead branches and shriveled fruit of yellow pear tomato plant)

Plants can't wear sunscreen and plants can move into the shade. So it's up to you to cover 'em up!

Since the extreme heat only lasts about 12 weeks, I don't see the need for any bulky permanent sun protection structure in my garden. So as a temporary solution, I set-up a simple shade cover tent. I strategically placed some rebar and bamboo stakes into the ground (to drive them deep, you may want to pre-soak really good the day before). Then I use binder clips to fasten my covers to the stakes.
I prefer to use frost cover sheets instead of shade screen. They are light and and easy to manage, and create an open greenhouse effect underneath. Plus, given my sun exposure and location, the full blockage is necessary to minimize the stress to my delicate veggies.

It takes my about 5-10 minutes in the morning to put them up, and maybe 5minutes in the evening to take them down. This routine also allows me time to inspect my plants and gives them some breathing time over night.
So plan you weekend project to protect your plants!

Friday Feature - Sunflowers!!

2010-06-11T22:40:00.000-07:00

It's almost summertime and the sunflowers know it! If you're looking for a plant that will do wonders for your garden through the warm season, this is it.

The great thing about sunflowers is they can be grown from seed - easily! Just remember, they are called SUNflowers for a reason, they love lots of sun. The more sun, the bigger the flower, and the taller they grow. Good watering is the other key component.

I poke my seeds into the ground near a drip emitter, where they can be watered on a timer. Another good spot is next to pots in the garden where seeds will thrive on residual watering.

Against a block wall is a great location for sunflowers to stand out. You can even plant them in a row next to a path or the sideway to create a living fence. Whatever you try, you're sure to have some degree of success with sunflowers. So go wild and enjoy the summer!

Monday Menu - Chard Salad

2010-06-07T22:17:00.000-07:00

Looks like warm weather is finally here to stay (although, it still isn't officially summer - even though it's 110* degrees!).
Time to start clearing out the spring crops and cranking up the compost. But don't pull that chard just yet. It may still have a couple more lives left in it. Like in a salad...

(click on image to enlarge and drool)

My wife created this amazing salad which I just love.
- chopped chard
- cucumber
- tomatoes
- beets (roasted)
- avocado
- feta cheese
- sunflower seeds (or pine nuts)
- light drizzle of vinaigrette

It is de-li-ci-ous! I've now deemed it one of my favorite meals. You could add some baked salmon or grilled over it. But I just like it in a bowl with a big spoon. mmm mmm yummm!

(even LuLu can't resist it. SHOOO!!)

TOMATOMADNESS!

2010-06-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

I had no idea what I'd gotten myself into when we decided to grow our own tomatoes this year.

(sun gold, besser cherry, sweet 100, early girl)

I'm so fond of nature, wildlife, blooms, and lush layers of green, I've always focused on filling the garden with unique combinations of landscape plants growing out of control. The space looks incredible, and over time keeps looking incredibler. But my wife and I figured we'd try our hand at growing our own organic edibles, something I hadn't had much success with in the past (but I had never tried all that hard either). So I acquired some great tomato transplants from my local Permaculture pal Rachel, who had grown them all from seed. They were planted in early February 2010 and we were in for a surprise.
And there are still many more to come...

Salsa, anyone?

All The Buzz at Xericopia

2010-05-13T13:16:00.000-07:00

The carpenter bees seem to have discovered their bounty for the season. There are at least five or more every morning when I go out into the garden.
But I discovered something just as amazing, if not better - gold! A golden carpenter bee. WOW! I think it's a female, but that's just my plant-brained guess. (any novice entomologist out there know specifically what kind of bee it is?)

2010-05-11T16:30:00.000-07:00

FROM: The Garden
TO: Your Health

1 - head of leaf lettuce (romaine)
1 - handful of kale
1 - cucumber, small
1 - lemon, small
2 - apples (okay, from the market)
1 - handful of ice

...Enjoy.

Guess Who...Else

2010-04-30T23:47:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's not just the nice guys in the garden. Lots of aphids, thrips, mites, and other pesky things all over. So I had to go for the spray - but not just any spray.

My trigger choice is FlowerPharm, which works great as a general pesticide/fungicide. It's completely organic and you can find the stuff locally at Southwest Gardener in downtown Phoenix.

At the end of March I sprayed my tomatoes a couple of days, waited a week, then hit 'em again. Now I don't see anymore of those little black aphids, and no damage was done to the tomato plants.
I also sprayed my bok choi, kale, and tulips, which were all pretty thick with bugs. The ladybugs were doing their thing too, but I was a bit anxious to see some results so I can harvest and eat my veggies. The ladybugs managed unscathed as well (as I'm noticing quite a few larvae babies at work).

But all those critters on my edibles were the least of my worries:
(DUHN-DUHN-DUUUUUN!)

(scorpius soon-to-be-deadius)

Yes, the worst of all garden pests have begun to make their presence known now that it's warming up. So I called my friendly neigborhood pest control service - Ladybug for my seasonal treatment. They use an all organic product that is very safe for pets and lizards alike, but does a number on the scorpions.

However, I still like to do my part in the garage and other inconspicuous cracks and crevis using DE (diatomaceous earth - be sure to use garden grade not pool grade). It's a powder-like product that is all organic, which damages scorpions from the underside causing death within about 24hours. Just a little added security when I'm not out with my blacklight and big stick.

It's Earth Day - Reduce, Reuse, Return

2010-04-22T09:02:00.000-07:00

Today is Earth Day. Lots of events and activities will involve being green and recycling and carbon footprints and saving the environment, yadda yadda. But let's focus to the real star - Earth.

Look down. (Well, go outside and look down.) Look at the earth, the ground, the dirt, the soil. What can you really do for the earth TODAY.

Real simple - give back. It's a good time to simply start a compost pile. Even better (and simpler), leave your garden alone and let nature compost. Allow your garden - the earth - the feed and replenish itself. Composting (decomposition) is a natural process that is always happening underfoot. Where the mulch meets the soil, in-between, the bugs and microorganisms are hard at work composting.

When we contribute to the process by adding more layers of mulch - or leaving the leaves where they lay - the earth is enriched with nutrient life. In the end, the earth will return the favor and give to us.

For more cool inspiration about good ol' terra firma, check out what's airing on PBS. Now go let your toes hug some dirt.

Knock, Knock...

2010-04-10T00:22:00.000-07:00

Who's there?
Everybody! Xericopia is bursting with visitors these days. Well, not exactly visitors, more like new residents.

Lulu Bird has been banished to her chair, so now the lizards can workout in peace and everyone can come out and play...

Check out the carpenter bee loving some lavender pinata. (When he lands on the bloom, it droops over like a fishing rod. I think it's the bee version of a carnival ride.)

Mr. Mockingbird enjoys some apple while the shy Mr. Thrasher hides in the shadows while. (He prefer peanuts, or even better, dog food nuggets dunked in water.)

Bumble bees are loving some spanish lavender.(Keep your distance. They are feisty about their lavender time.)

Lizabelle is being her usual sassy self (as we sit less than a foot away enjoying the sunset).

The biggest surprise visitor this season has been a ladybug - and she's making babies!! (I think...)

But my favorites in the garden are the worms! The only critters working harder than me and I love it. Who's in your garden this spring?

And So It Begins...

2010-03-01T00:40:00.000-07:00

The lawn conversion continues with the installation of Farm bed #1 and Farm bed #2. Stay tuned...

Sayonara Winter!

2010-02-25T22:46:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Signs that I know Winter is over:

#10 - Bees are all over my garden.
#9 - Pointsettias are happy to be outside.

#8 - My stray cats are 'singing' (yikes).

#7 - Baker Nursery has orange justicia now!

#6 - I stopped turning on my electric blanket.

#5 - Flowering pear tree has flowered.

#4 - Fungal gnats keep finding my glass of wine.

#3 - Maggie dog is shedding.

#2 - Tomatoes are ripening.

#1 - The bermuda grass is on the move!

Weekend Getout-away!

2010-02-10T01:10:00.000-07:00

Winter is waning and that means spring is almost upon us. Need a good reason to get out and enjoy the great weather? Check out the Willo Historic Neighborhood Home Tour this weekend Sunday 02/14.

Willo Home Tour
Sunday, February 14, 2010 10am - 4pm
http://willohistoricdistrict.com/hometour.html

And if that isn't enough, mark your calendar for the Coronado Historic Neighborhood Home Tour Sunday 02/28.

Coronado Home Tour
http://www.gcna.info/
Sunday February 28, 2010 10 AM to 5 PM

Lots to see and enjoy!

Brrrr!

2010-01-24T14:38:00.001-07:00

The rain has been awesome, and now the sky is amazing! Saturday afternoon, my wife and I decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful day by taking a walk through the Desert Botanical Garden.

(Chuhuli yucca at DBG)

The rain had stopped, the streets were dry, and the sun was coming out. One thing we overlooked - the forecast! We arrived at the Garden and by the time we made it through the ticket booth we were freezing! It was 52* degrees and very breeze, with lots of clouds.

(Aloe pavillion at DBG)

Aloes were in bloom, gaillardia was spilling onto the paths, and birds chatting about. But it was cold!!!

(Wild Gaillardia at DBG)

So, we briskly made our way around the short loop hoping the fluffy clouds would spread out and let some sun shine through. No such luck. Maybe next weekend...

Arizona Winter

2010-01-22T12:02:00.000-07:00

It's a new year and it's raining in Phoenix!

My favorite part about the rain is turning off my sprinklers and drip system. I probably won't have to turn them back on until March or later. Why, you ask? Check out all the water I've harvested! Yippee!

Eureka!

2010-01-10T22:04:00.001-07:00

It's winter in Arizona and the bees are here at Xericopia! Hard to believe at 72* degrees it's winter time. Nature is confused! My trees just dropped their leaves (well, sort of) and it feels like they should start budding and blossoming. Even the basil in my garden is still ripe for plucking.

(bee visiting podranea pink trumpet)

But the most exciting thing going on in my garden is the presence of bees. Actually, 'a' bee. I like to believe that it's a different bee each day. Enjoying the lavender, enjoying the salvia, enjoying the weather - like me!

Container Edibles - Simple Beginnings

2009-11-16T00:53:00.000-07:00

Do Not Attempt This At Home!

Well, I used to think that about growing edibles in pots. Especially here in Phoenix.

If you're new to this, I recommend starting simple, with plants that are sure to bring success and boost your confidence (something absolutely necessary in gardening).

(cilantro, red salvia, spearmint)

You can't go wrong with herbs and leafy greens. Many of these plants are not fickle about light, don't require much fertilizing, and can rebound from under or over watering.

(swiss chard, lemon thyme, spearmint, kale, dusty miller)

What I like most about growing herbs and greens in pots is the constant bounty. Many of these plants can grow year-round. They fill out the pots and look great just about anywhere in the garden (as long as they receive a bit of sunlight). Also, I can combine them with other flowering plants such as petunia, salvia, and oxalis.

(swiss chard with pine cone tephrocactus)

Don't feel limited by traditional container gardening. Our Phoenix weather allows us to do very interesting things. You'll always find some success in exploration.

Graduation Day...

2009-11-02T00:11:00.000-07:00

Yes, I can hear the theme in the background as my little ones make their way out into the real world. No more spray misting, no more enclosed humidity, and no more baby talk (yes, I'm that kind of gardener).

(cucumber, cilantro, okra)

On month later, my little seedlings are now officially 'transplants'. They will live in 1gal cans for a couple of months chasing the sunny spots in the garden. Once Winter frost passes they'll find a permanent home just in time to set flowers and fruit for spring. Stay tuned...

Starting from Recycle

2009-10-18T00:55:00.000-07:00

This year I was determined to grow more edibles, but wasn't too thrilled with the idea of spending money on seed starter trays and starter potting mix that I might discover on a dusty shelf next July.

So the 'ol gray-idea-maker kicked in one day while taking out the recycle. Sushi tray? Herb package? Tomato carton? Staring at them in the depths of the big blue can, I slipped into visions of the past where weird chia pet terrariums adorned my mother's kitchen window sill (bustling with tiny gnats and mushrooms).

I rescued the plastic trays from there circular demise; added a layer general potting mix, packed it in and reached for the seeds. I made gentle divots into the soil with the back end of a chop stick, dropped a couple seeds into each divot then covered with a thin layer of more potting mix.

Kale in old plastic sushi tray.
Wildflowers in old plastic herb package.
Okra in old plastic tomato carton.

Started on 30 September, within six days, most of the seeds had germinated (the wildflowers have taken 15 days). I give them a mist of water two times in the morning before work then again in the late afternoon.

Click here to see more pics of my recycled seed starters.

Happy gardening!

Dead and Green

2009-10-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

Don't worry, it's dead.

This urban monster was killed 'naturally'. By that I mean, with a natural product and not some retched toxic chemical. I'm talking about Diatomaceous Earth. DE, as it is generally referred to, is available at most local nurseries, home centers, and even some hardware stores. Make sure you select 'Food Grade' (NOT pool grade) which is harmless to humans and pets if ingested. The packaging may vary so be sure to read the labels carefully.

DE will not 'repel' scorpions; it actually will kill them, just not instantly. It's a fossil shell flour, and these microscopic shards gets caught in the exoskeleton as scorpions crawl through the powder eventually damaging their innards. In about 12-24 hours they're dead. It can also be used on other critters such as ticks and spiders.

You may be thinking that with the cooler weather upon us, the scorpions will go away. Eventually. However, for the next few weeks, they may still be active seeking the last bit of warmth before they disappear underground for the season.

A black light, a long stick, and flat tread shoes are the best tools for investigate in the night time to identify concentrated areas of scorpions. You can apply DE in these area, as well as around the perimeter of your home.

You may also want to contact a pest control service to help deal with the issue. Although I spend many late nights in the garden 'manually' managing my scorpion population, I also use a great organic pest control service (Ladybug) for major treatments.

I don't yet know of any effective method for repelling scorpions. Most pest control services primarily manage the scorpion food source, thus, causing them to migrate elsewhere or 'lay low' and not breed as much. So, for fun, I'll keep to my therapeutic ritual of black light hunting with my long stick and squash'em boots. Mwaaa-Haa-Haa.

High-Tech Dirt

2009-09-27T22:54:00.000-07:00

When it comes to garden chores, I can be quite efficient (some might call it 'lazy'). Compost is often the most tedious chore of all. I figured it was time to try something innovative and let technology work for me. So, I got myself the eComposter. This ain't your grampa's tumbler. No cranking, no shoveling, no turning or churning. I just take it out for a roll around the yard and let the high-tech design take care of the air flow and stirring.

For the eComposter, I filled it with all my material:

paper waste

(tissue, shredded documents, paper bags, etc.)

veggie kitchen scraps
(old lettuce, cut flowers, banana peals, etc. - no meats or oils)

lawn clippings
(grass blooms, weeds - no worries)

yard waste prunings
(no diseased plants, no bougainvillea, no ruellea, no cactus)

Add water and mix. It's just that simple! Now we'll see how long (or not) this baby takes to make me some good 'ol garden gold.

Stay tuned....

Friday Feature - Mulch

2009-08-14T22:25:00.000-07:00

If you've ever attended my workshops, you know I'm a big on mulch. But does mulch have to be so bland and barky?

I found this great blog featuring some great ideas for mulch:

apartmenttherapy.com

Why is mulch so important?

It keeps the soil from drying out too fast, reducing the need to water so often. Frequent watering leaches away nutrients from the potting soil.

Mulch helps preserves moisture (not water) in the soil. This allows the container to dry out evenly, so that the soil at the top isn't dry (where you check it), while the soil in the bottom of the pot isn't soggy wet.

It also functions as erosion control to keep soil from washing away when you water.

The great thing about using unconventional materials like marbles, pebbles, or seashells is that they don't degrade like the traditional bark mulch.

Most important to me? It has to look good. So try something different and add a little permanent flair to your containers.

Wednesday What To Do

2009-08-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

Like most, I enjoy container gardening. But often, we think of use containers to fill bare spaces like patios and entry ways. You know, hardscapes. Here in Phoenix (and other parts of the southwest) where it's over 100* degrees or more (much much more), these hardscape areas can be 10-20 degrees hotter. Certainly, not a place for plants we love, right?

(chard, oregano, and thyme enjoying summer amongst friends)

So, try container gardening . . . in the garden. This beautiful large red pot functions as a raised bed for some sun loving edibles. It also adds a nice pop of color amidst a mass of green. The soil is a well draining mix of rich organic compost, topped with a deep layer of bark mulch to reduce dry out. I also hooked it all up on drip emitters (1/2gal per hour) so it gets watered with my other landscape edibles 3days per week.
Even if you use a smaller container, a good layer of mulch will keep the soil moist enough to avoid daily watering.

Friday Feature

2009-08-07T10:00:00.000-07:00

It's Friday and thought I'd feature an awesome plant for you:

justicia spicigera

Come again, you say? Yes, I do love my botanical names, and for good reason. From Florida, to Tennessee, to Texas, this lovely garden superstar goes by many different names; orange justicia, orange plume flower, mexican firecracker bush, and most recently, mexican honeysuckle. (eeee gads)

So, using the good ol' botanical name I know I can talk to any nursery specialist and find the exact plant I'm looking for. Here in Phoenix, I shop at Baker Nursery, a local haven for the most proven native adapted plants.

Our daytime high temperatures have been over 110* degrees (as high as 116*) for the past three weeks, and my orange justicia hasn't stopped blooming. In fact, I'm seeing a resergence of new bloom heads all over the plant. So if you don't have this beauty in your garden yet, maybe you should should give it a try. Your hummingbirds will thank you.

Wednesday - What To Do?

2009-08-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my new segment I'm calling "What to do Wednesday", which will focus on a project you can plan for your weekend gardening. Why Wednesday, you ask? Well, if I gave out great garden project assignment on Friday, you would like have to spend your Saturday morning racing around to the nurseries, preparing soil, and digging holes. Then, your Sunday up to your dirty knees working on the project. I believe Saturdays are for gardening and Sundays are garden viewing. So, Wednesday gives you two days to get ready for the weekend fun.

This Wednesday to start, I thought of a simple project we all can do. Here in Phoenix, where it's been over 110* degrees for the past two weeks, it's about all we can do in the garden right now. I want you to spend some time thinking back.

("The Yard" - 1998 Spring)

I know it will do me some good to take a moment think back - back to the incredible spring we had this year. To think back to this time last year. I'm even thinking back to the early days when we had a 'yard'.

("The Garden" - 2008 Summer)

Thinking back will help you plan your next move for this fall. Perhaps, reminding you of what not to do (that you've maybe tried season after season still to no avail). Thinking back will give you some pride in what you truly have accomplished from year to year. So browse the old garden journals, flip through the Post-it riddled pages of your garden magazines, print of some old and new photos. Take note of how your garden has grown.

(2009 Summer - "Xericopia")

Where are the monsoon rains?!?!?!?

2009-08-02T11:49:00.000-07:00

I have been anxiously desperately waiting for the summer rain to come.
But that doesn't mean I can stop watering. Rain is very important to gardens in the southwest mainly because it is the primary source for good tree watering. Most homeowners rely on inappropriate watering methods such as sprinklers, or just don't water enough.
Regardless of whether or not there appears to be rain in the forecast, it's still a good practice to water your trees.

For me, I've found that using a water hose works best. I once had my trees on a drip system, but the growth rate required me to make adjustments every 3-4 years, which was (surprisingly) more than I wanted to keep up with.
So I disconnected the drip line and set out the hose.
With the hose on a very low flow rate (about 1/2gal per minute on ground and 1gal per minute in lawn), I just let it run all weekend moving about every 6-12 hours around each tree (north,south,east,west). This allows for good deep watering, and then when the rains do come, the soil is primed to soak it up.

Check out more on watering at the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association.

If you're in the Phoenix area, you can sign-up for my Permaculture Guild workshop this coming Wednesday 08/05/2009 on watering in the garden.

I'll share great tips not only on what, how, and when to water, but also some fun demos on building and using watering systems.

It's An Invasion!

2009-07-19T23:46:00.000-07:00

Oh no - they're here!

And they're taking over my garden!
(Yeaaaa!!!)

It's the attack of the Compost Makers!
After years of managing my rickety compost bins made from recycled pallets, I decided to try these new-fangled eComposter (from CostCo). I started them in May 2009 and I figure they should be done cooking by mid-August.
Stay tuned to see what hatches...

Surviving Summer

2009-07-12T00:28:00.000-07:00

It's hot here in Phoenix. Really hot. Yesterday was 115* degrees. Today it was 115*. And the forecast consensus shows over 110* degrees for all of next week. YIKES!! If you think it's tough on us humans, be assured it's tougher on our plants. Remember, outside it's not only hot, but the sun is intense. If it's not a cactus, it's stressing.

One of the easiest ways to beat the heat (well, tolerate the heat) is simply installing shade cover. Just by reducing the amount of direct intense sun, life gets a little bit nicer for plants.

The set-up in my garden is quite rudimentary. It's not pretty, but it is effective, and it only took ten minutes to put in place. My new seedlings are much happier now.

This is all a temporary solution for current season. Since my back garden receives west exposure, I have a greater plan for future protection. In summer 2008 I planted some new trees (palo verde, bauhinia, crape myrtle, pomegranate) to create natural shade cover. By next summer 2010, too much sun will not be an issue for me.
(keep cool!)

Summertime Spirit

2009-06-28T23:41:00.000-07:00

Summertime is often a very disheartening for many of us Phoenix desert gardeners. As we slowly slip from the 'comfortable' springtime 80* and 90* degree temperatures, the dreaded heat can but the breaks on our gardener spirit. But don't dispair; If you think there isn't much to plant during the dog days of summer, think again. Here are a few of my favorites for warm season survival:

(Palo Verde - Parkinsonia florida/cercidium floridum from 24"box)

Nothing better to plant during summer than trees. The warm season is the growing season for most native-adapted trees, and there is no better time thatn the present to start working on shade. Palo verde is the perfect solution.

(butterfly on zinnia)

From simple beginnings come great things. You can't go wrong with zinnia seeds. It's never too late to get your seeds in the ground - especially before the monsoon rains arrive.

Go native and go big. This leucophyllum sage is on its third bloom cycle of 2009.

But a couple of my summertime favorites are red salvia and orange justicia. These two sun lovers will not only bloom through summer, but with occasional dead-heading, can bloom year-round. Bring on the color!

For more planting options, visit the Arizona Municipal Water Users Association or the Maricopa Master Gardeners plant guide.

Something Simple...

2009-05-29T19:34:00.001-07:00

One fun thing I love about summertime gardening (even though summer is still technically 3 weeks away), is how you have to challenge yourself to be inventive. With the impending heat, it's always questionable what to plant next that will survive.
Instead of wrestling with flowers, and keeping them watered, and fertilizing them, and deadheading to keep them blooming, and wondering when they will finally fade away, etcetera, etcetera....
I thought I'd try something interesting with succulents.

This is an old antique wheelbarrow with the bottom rusted out. It used to be filled with geraniums (a few times throughout the year because they would die from lack of watering, too much drainage, and harsh sun exposure).
First I converted it to a stone garden with a couple cactus. Not quite impressive, I then added another plant or two. Finally, I put together a plan using some small scale succulents, a few cuttings, and a couple feature specimens (in the end, about $15 on plants). It took less than six months to entire planter to fill in, and this photo was taken just after pruning. The planter is located under a large elm tree and receives midday filtered sun and then about 3hrs of full afternoon exposure. It is quite a conversation piece in this downtown Phoenix garden.

Goofin' in the Garden

2009-05-15T11:50:00.000-07:00

Meet my new helpers (I think I'll name them Quinn & Trini). They are Pot Heads and quite the neat treat. I received them as a gift from two of my youngster garden fans - Jacob and Edward Jr. Out with their mother shopping one day, they asked "Could we use our allowance money to buy a something for Mr. Vynnie?". Now, that's quite an honor in my book. So be sure to check back and see what Quinn & Trini are up to in the garden.

Duranta - Super Plant!

2009-05-03T15:45:00.000-07:00

If the heat has you in a rut with gardening, nothing will boost your spirits better than a little success. Or, how about a big success. One of mine has been duranta. I discovered the plant in 2001 at Tera's Garden in downtown Phoenix, which is no longer around ;-( . The lure of it's summertime durability was irresistible. At the north end of the backyard garden I had a hot wall that was frying the lawn with reflective heat. Bored with bougainvillea, I decided to add a purple duranta.

This picture was taken in 2002 October, about 1year after being planted from a 5gallon pot.

Now, only eight years later (April 2009), that once hot wall is just a cool memory. I prune the duranta about once a year, but I cut blooms from it regularly to add to flower arrangements.
The best thing about this plant, it's one of the biggest features here at Xericopia. Everyone who visits instantly remarks "What is that plant with the blue flowers?!" As they stumble past a field of lavender, swarming hummingbirds, 8ft tall hollyhocks, and purple hibiscus, they fixate on the duranta way out at the far end of the garden.

If you're looking for it in the Phoenix area, check out one of the great local spots like Baker Nursery. You'll likely not this beauty at a general home center.

Home Grown Good Stuff...

2009-04-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

Make your own compost!
It's fun! It's Easy! It's free!

Make a pile out of lawn clippings, tree litter, leaves, old dead plants. No need to be too scientific about the mix of brown (carbon) and green (nitrogen) materials. The best thing for compost is kitchen scraps. Make a hole, dump them in and cover them up (helps keep the flies and gnats away).

Turn the pile with a shovel or pitch fork and water it to keep the micro-bugs active. Do this weekly or so.
(I turned this pile every other day when I took out kitchen scraps.)

About eight weeks later I had brown gold - nature's alchemy! Use it as a planting soil, fertilizer amendment, or top mulch. Anywhere in the garden, it's good stuff!
Check out my compost workshop coming up at the Phoenix Downtown Farmer's Market.

In The Gardener's Garden - 2009-04-04

2009-04-05T01:08:00.000-07:00

Life is good...

My wife and I spent some peaceful time in the garden today (trying very hard to ignore the wind). So to help focus, I ran off to the frontyard and cut a few things for little vase (Don Juan roses, raspberry snapdragon, nasturtium).

As the wind settled, all the birds came out to eat, and the whole verdin bird family came to visit

But a gardener's work is never done. I have to go prune some edibles and cook them up for dinner!

Must See at the DBG!

2009-04-03T22:08:00.000-07:00

If you haven't been to the Desert Botanical Garden lately, now is the perfect time to go. The Chuhuli glass works are spectacular and there is still time to see it. This exhibition is sure to inspire and amaze. Be sure to check it out during the night time and the daytime.

Lights Out! Don't forget this weekend is "Earth Hour".

2009-03-26T08:39:00.000-07:00

Everyone is encouraged to turn out their lights from 8:30 - 9:30pm on Saturday, March 28.
(Check out the "Earth Hour" video)

According to Mayor Phil Gordon, here are some other things we can also do to participate in this global event:

* Change at least one light bulb to a CFL
* Park your car for the day
* Turn your air or heat down or off
* Use public transportation (including light rail)
* Fill your recycling container
* Reduce your water consumption

Read more at: http://phoenix.gov/news/032509earth.html

I plan to spend my Saturday morning celebrating by planting some trees - a lot of trees! Valley Forward Association and the Mayor's Office will host a tree planting event downtown on Roosevelt Row Saturday 03/28 ( 8am-12noon).

In honor of VFA's 40 years in Phoenix as the Valley's premier environmental public interest organization, 40 trees will be planted along 5th Street and 6th Street from Roosevelt to Garfield. It's sure to be quite a day.

Later, during Earth Hour, I will be on my patio enjoying my garden in the candle light.

Road To Success!

2009-02-08T23:14:00.000-07:00

Well it's finally done! It took some time to fit in between weekend schedule and brief nights after work. (about 14 hours over 4 weeks)

Now that I've figured out my formula, it's time for phase two...

Eating Up Some Spring

2009-02-01T00:37:00.000-07:00

One of the best things about living in Phoenix Arizona is the weather. Still 28 days before spring 'officially' begins (March 1st), it is 70* degrees, sunny, and everything is in bloom. This really all began about three weeks ago, just after winter weekend. We had a couple of weeks with lows in the 30's, a few days of glorious rain, and now we're headed full steam into what looks to be an incredible spring season.

Before diving into some big project that involve digging or hauling (I have loads), I thought I'd have a little inspirational fun.

"I'll do edible pots!"

Using some old tera cotta pots (about 18"x18") I made a soil blend of potting mix, compost, mulch, and pumice.

Here are the plants I installed in container #1:

Kale - perfect for salads and green smoothies
Spearmint -I like to snack on when I garden and use in tea
Purple kale - labeled as an ornamental, I saute' with monk pepper and sea salt
Dusty miller - it looks so great, and makes a unique garnish

Here are the plants I installed in container #2:

Dill - great on fish (with lemon) and the blooms attract butterflies
Spinach - full of calcium for green smoothies and salad
Swiss chard - saute' with garlic and spinach - yummm!
Lemon thyme - perfect aromatherapy and in tea
Dusty miller - very cool pressed flower for art cards

Except for the dusty miller and purple kale, I gathered everything else from the Downtown Farmer's Market or Baker Nursery in effort to keep things as organic as possible. These pots will only require watering a couple days per week and should produce well for about two months. I don't intend to fertilize because of the organic composted mulch in the soil mix.

Once temperatures over 90* degrees, I'll transplant everything into a shady area in the garden, hopefully to gain another month of late springtime eats.

New Directions...

2009-01-26T12:19:00.001-07:00

With the new year, the inauguration of a new president (and for us in Arizona, a new governor), I was feeling an air of new things - new directions. So this weekend I was inspired to install a new path. For years I had to track through barren grass and mud, back & forth, from my patio to my utility side yard. Not to be defeated by the failed lawn, I turned to inspiration and a shovel.

Installing a paver path is not an easy project, but by no means is it complicated. I want this path to be durable and long lasting, which would entail a good foundation. I did a lot of digging to make sure there would be no bermuda grass visiting me later in the summertime.

I installed some 1"inch gravel as the path base (about 2-3"inches deep). On top of that, about a 1"inch layer of quarter-minus gravel (otherwise known as DG - decomposed granite). This is all packed down well before I set the pavers in place. And the pavers aren't necessarily level; the path needs to slope to prevent puddling.

One clever thing I did, was to build the path out from the patio and build the path from my utility area simultaneously. This way, the two paths come together in the middle and I can make sure they meet evenly. Stay tuned...

2009-01-26T12:18:00.001-07:00

2009-01-26T00:22:00.001-07:00

and soon the two shall meet...

GO GREEN? NO - GO RED!

2009-01-19T10:30:00.000-07:00

I don't consider myself a big sports fan, but I have always been a strong supporter of our Cardinals. That was some game this weekend! I thought now would be a good time to 'go red'. The weather is getting warm and the Cardinals are Super Bowl hot. So here are some great plants to show-off your team colors in the garden:

Eremophila - Valentine Emu bush
Callistemon Bottlebrush
Calliandra - Fairy Duster
Cardinal Red - Penstemon Palmeri
Hibiscus – San Diego Red
Chuperosa
Salvia Greggii
Russelia - Coral Fountain
Lantana - Dallas Red
Firecracker Penstemon - Penstemon Parryi

These plants will not only show your red bird pride, but will also attract your own fans - hummingbirds!

New Beginnings...

2009-01-11T20:11:00.000-07:00

Those December showers are sure to bring March flowers. The rain may not do much to cure the drought but is sure to set us up for an amazing spring blooms. With the on-off rains, seeds are an ideal venture. For just a few bucks you can get some wonderful interesting seeds and make a whole lot of plants.

I always sow seeds in a variety of locations around the garden just to see what areas provide the best conditions. The key to good seed germination is steady even moister, so you may need to be ready to hand water a couple times each day for about a week until the seeds sprout. One good way to get them kick started is to set out your seeds just before the rains are expected. (Rain water is the most magical of garden elixirs!) Nature will get things started; you will just have to keep an eye on the seeds and make sure the soil stays moist. And avoid puddling. Excess water can wash away seeds or keep them afloat avoiding soil contact, which is what they need to root. If you have a drip system set-up, you’ll certainly get seeds happening.

I also recently learned something interesting about seeds – they can go bad! So if you have some seeds from a friend from last spring who got them from her mom as a graduation gift, don’t expect too much from them. I wouldn’t get rid of them; just plant them amongst some fresh new seeds of a different variety, that way you’ll know who’s old and who’s new when things start to bloom.

Most seeds show visible signs of growth in a couple of weeks to a month. And do yourself a favor – make a sketch of the area and note what was planted where and write down the date. You could also make plant labels by re-purposing some take-out dining sporks – write on the handle with a Sharpie and stick it in the ground.

2008-09-01T01:10:00.001-07:00

palo verde (Parkinsonia floridum)

Ripped out from the roots, this tree never had a chance against the crazy storm we just had a couple nights ago. With surging winds reaching 80-100 mph, downtown phoenix was slammed hard. This is one of hundreds of trees awaiting the chainsaw symphony to chop it up into its next life.

2008-09-01T00:38:00.001-07:00

Chinese elm (ulmus parvafolia)

This tree snapped at the trunk, likely due to drought stress. Elms are very thirsty trees with a robust root structure and seek water wherever available. Positioned right next to a building on a slope, water is subject to runoff. In addition, the tree must compete with the lawn for water. They tree appears to have establish a stable root zone, not being uprooted. However, adequate water is necessary to keep trees strong and healthy. Lacking water, trees can become very brittle, yet may not appear so at a glance.

More Trees Please!

2008-08-21T23:11:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year—everything is dying! Or, maybe not. Native plants are blooming and the green couldn't be better. The rains have been nice but still not nearly enough. Especially for trees. Trees need water – lots of water. Just because a tree looks brown and may lose a branch doesn’t mean it’s dying – it just needs water. The cost to keep a mature tree alive is nothing compared to the cost of removing an old tree and installing a new tree.

So, how are your trees being watered? By the sprinklers? Wrong answer! Sprinklers are for the lawn (and the lawn is much more effective at drinking all that water). Are your trees on a drip system? Is the dripper right at the trunk of the tree? Bad bad bad! Trees drink water from the tips of their roots, which are located out at the edge of the tree canopy (or even farther out). Do you water your trees by hand? Enough? Check out this cool watering guide:
Water Use It Wisely
(click on plant watering)
Providing shade, housing wildlife, mitigate the heat island affect, trees are very important in the landscape, the environment, and our local climate. Plant a tree; water a tree; save the trees.

Pool Plants - Duranta & Tecoma

2008-08-19T00:18:00.000-07:00

I recently visited a friend and couldn't help but notice a legion peculiar sculpters lining the backyard wall. I stepped outside, but quickly had to retreat back indoors. From across the patio I was struck in the face and chest by a blast of debiltating reflective heat like a comic book villian. I was informed that the sculpture were once ficus shrubs they planted in May.

The original intent was to do something about the blinding block wall and screen out the neighbors. I'm no fan of ficus, but it can work around a pool or as a nice screen. That is, if you're willing to give it lots of water. Even then, winter frost would be a concern (remember 2007 January?), as well as extreme summer temps.

If you're looking to add some nice color around the pool, create some low-cost privacy, or cut down the blight of a block wall, here are a couple native adapted plants that are beautiful, durable, xeriscape options:

duranta sky flower:
It blooms tiny purple clusters, looks full yearound, and can be pruned to espalier against the wall if there is narrow space around a pool. It will suffer very little frost damage and takes all the arizona you can give it. Watering every 4-7 days during the warm season should keep it happy (after about 3 years, watering every 7-10days). It can mature over 8ft in about 5 years (from 5gal), and litter is minimal and quite small, so duranta won't make a big mess in the pool. It comes in a white bloom and be sure to select non-thorn variety.

Tecoma Orange Jubilee
Covered with trumpet shaped orange blooms, it attracts the ever-friendly carpenter bees and hummingbirds. Growing over 8ft tall at about 3-4 years (from 5gal), it suffers very little frost damage and the leaf litter is an issue only after the bloom cycle. The tecoma should only require watering every 4-7 days during the warm season, and after about 3 years, you can cut back the watering to 7-10days.

Yellow Tecoma
(we trained this tecoma into a tree form - approx. 5years old)

Both can be planted anytime of the year, however, right now during the hot season, expect leaf burn and signs of stress. (it would be ideal to plant below 100* degrees.) These plants will not require fertilizing after planting, however, fertilizing doesn't hurt them.

In The Gardener's Garden

2008-07-21T13:38:00.000-07:00

I hope the summer rains have been kind to your gardens. The extreme heat and humidity have taken a few casualties in my garden, but the remaining flora is holding strong.

I’m sure many of you are like me and have taken a hiatus from garden work due to the weather. I try to water and do check-ups early in the morning, and any planting is done after 4pm when ample shade has made its presence. So not to be deterred complete from my garden interests, I’ve turned to the future – planning.

I’ve reviewed old notes in my journals from seasons passed to see what ideas I’ve had for fall time in my garden. Took an inventory on what I’ve planted, what has survived and died over time, and what surprises have come about (salvia and hollyhock seeds continue to impress). I even found some old photos to create a before and after page in my journal. Most of all, I’m taking time to step back and see if my garden is becoming the space I want it to be. My ideas and whims have changed over time, but in my efforts to reduce my water usage, minimize the maintenance needs, and grow more edibles and native adapted plants, my vision has become clear and garden is finally taking shape. With only two major projects remaining to complete, I now see what my garden haven will be for years to come.

Since we can’t always play, plant, and prune during the warm season, summer is the best time to assess the garden and make a plan. Not only thinking of the laborious tasks – the planting, paths, gravel, drip – but also the connection times – visiting guests, holiday travels, weekend parties, relaxing mornings. Developing a calendar of social events will help outline the scheduling of the projects in the garden. That way you won’t have to keep people from the ignoring mess behind the blue curtain.

2008-07-10T01:11:00.000-07:00

Well, the rain was a wonderful treat. Just the break we needed from the relentless heat. I wandered my garden to soak in a little humidity and noticed new seedlings already sprouting. I'm not sure what they are, because I'd thrown out a few rounds of seeds over the past months - edibles and flowers. I'm excited to see what blooms.

2008-07-01T23:59:00.000-07:00

justicia spicigera - mexican firecracker bush (Phoenix Arizona)

2008-07-01T23:55:00.000-07:00

justicia spicigera - mexican firecracker bush (Phoenix Arizona)

In The Gardener's Garden - 2008JUN29

2008-07-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Welp, it certainly is summertime. Now into our sixth week of temperatures above 110* degrees, my garden is starting to feel it. My 10ft hollyhocks have all gone to seed. All the gailardia is dry. My geraniums are ready for the compost pile. I don't even want to talk about my dead tomato things. But that's what my garden should be doing right now - it's 110* degrees! The southwest is praised for the ability to grow great gardens year-round. However, most expect the wrong greatness from the garden. This time of the year is when desert adapted and heat loving plants thrive. The lavender pinata is ready for a light haircut to make room for more blooms. Queen's wreath vine (antignon leptopus) is just waking up in my garden. My justicia spicigera hasn't even slowed down on blooming. So right now, I spend time in the garden watching a few things die and fade away. Some things are gone for good, which were fun to try and play with. Other things are gone for now, and will likely return in the cool season or next spring. All out of sight out of mind. I'm going to enjoy the summer season waiting for more surprise survivors to show me their stuff.

Vynnie The Gardener

2008-06-30T23:09:00.000-07:00

Gardening is a natural artform; Earth is the canvas, plants are the paint, xeriscape is my brush. Art is in everything I do. This is my secret to great garden design. I view gardens as ‘living’ rooms and I try to design spaces where humans and nature can exist together comfortably. My approach involves understanding my Client’s needs and desires for their garden and explore what is possible with the existing landscape. Employing artistic style, interesting plant combinations, and wise xeriscape principles, I create environments that inspire people and wildlife, naturally.