What To Do Wednesday - Cover 'Em Up

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!

All The Buzz at Xericopia

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?)

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

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

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...

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?

Eureka!

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!