John's Growing Solutions

Do you know your Climate Zone?
Climate zones refer to the long-term temperature and rainfall patterns that shape the natural vegetation in a geographic location.
USDA Hardiness zones in Arizona range from 4b to 10b

Here is a link to a great video produced by our extension in Greenlee County that lists some of their favorite deciduous shade trees and talks about the importance of knowing your zone - https://youtu.be/c0xmCWzesPI

Looking for more information? Here is a good publication that also has tree/shrub recommendations related to different AZ zones -https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1673-2021.pdf

Happy Gardening!

Landscape palms can thrive in Southern Arizona, adding a touch of tropical elegance to even the most arid of gardens. Here are some essential tips to keep your oasis flourishing:

1. Choose the species: Varieties that are well-suited to the harsh conditions, such as the Mexican Fan Palm (Washingtonia robusta), Mediterranean Fan Palm (Chamaerops humilis), or Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera) do well in Southern Arizona. These palms have adapted to withstand the intense heat and limited water availability of desert climates.

2. Location: Palms typically thrive in full sun, so choose a well-draining spot in your landscape that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

3. Water: While palms are known for their resilience to drought, they still require regular watering. Aim to wet 4 – 6 feet of the soil around the palm trunk to a depth of 2 feet. You can test this using a water probe. The frequency of irrigation is dependent on the variety of palm, the soil texture, and the weather.

5. Fertilization: Palms have specific nutritional needs, especially in nutrient-poor desert soils. Begin a regular fertilizing schedule after transplanting. We have an excellent publication breaking down exactly what palms need and some tips on frequency for fertilizer applications.

6. Pruning: This depends on the species you’re caring for and should be done at specific times. In the spring, fronds damaged by frost can be removed after all danger of additional frost has passed. In summer, fronds and flower or fruit stalks should be removed at the same time.

If you’re interested in adding palms to your landscape, or have some already under your care, following these basic care tips can help ensure their health and beauty. If you need more in-depth information, we have two excellent resources on growing palms from start to finish. To access these free resources, follow the links below.

Arizona Landscape Palms and their Management (AZ2021)
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/arizona-landscape-palms-their-management

Arizona Landscape Palms (AZ 1021)
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/arizona-landscape-palms

🎼 There must be 50 ways to kill a tree 🎼

WILDFIRE UPDATE: The located near MM 165 off State Route 77 on the Globe Ranger District was reported last night at approximately 6:30 p.m.. The fire is at 18 acres and forward progression was stopped due the quick response of firefighters. Cause was by a vehicle fire that spread to the nearby vegetation. Today, two engines and one hotshot crew will continue to the secure the line and mop up.

How we ADDED SHADE to our HOT SUMMER GARDEN: Growing in the Garden Adding shade cloth to a hot summer garden is easier than you think. This is how we added shade cloth to our Arizona garden this year.For more information: ht...

Mark your calendars for these upcoming FREE classes. I attended one last week by Pam Perry, and it was excellent. Looking forward to the Monarch class tomorrow night! Email [email protected] to reserve your seat for class!

The Best Kale Salad You'll Ever Make Looking for the perfect kale salad recipe? Try this crowd-pleasing version with fresh kale, sweet apples, crunchy nuts, and feta cheese.

ARIZONA GARDEN in MAY: GARDEN TOUR plus What TO DO & PLANT 🌱Introduction 00:00🌱How to prepare your garden for the heat 00:31🌱Mulching Tips 00:45🌱Watering Tips 01:29🌱Shade Tips 02:44🌱Vegetable Tips for May 03:38...

5 Raised Bed Garden Mistakes to Avoid Starting a raised bed garden can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Still, there are some common mistakes even experienced gardeners can make. Before p...

4-Step Permaculture Method for Feeding Fruit Trees Grow a forest of healthy fruit trees with more fruit with Zach from Arizona Worm Farm's 4-step organic fruit tree fertilizing method.

VERTICAL GARDENING TIPS & IDEAS: Why and how to add VERTICAL SPACE to your garden for EVERY BUDGET Complete guide to vertical gardening with ideas for every budget. 🌱Introduction 00:00🌱Electrical Conduit Trellis 01:05🌱 Wall Mounted Rebar Trellis 03:12🌱...

How to Start a Garden on a Budget 12 ways to start a garden on a budget. From sunken-bed gardens to creative container gardening, how to garden without breaking the bank.

10 Perennial Herbs For Hot Summer Climates If you live in a hot summer climate, plant these ten perennial herbs once, and you'll enjoy harvests for years!

Job fair today.

Looking to build your career or find your next job? The Workforce Center @ Mesa is hosting a FREE job and career fair, and we want to help you find the perfect job! Join us on Wednesday, May 15, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and meet local businesses from a variety of industries that are hiring now. Bring your resume and dress to impress! Reserve your spot today at https://my.mesaaz.gov/3UI6Soi

Have you been wondering who or what made those perfectly cut circles along the leaf edges all over your garden? Don’t worry – it’s not harmful to your plants! You’re seeing the handiwork of leaf cutter bees. These small but mighty creatures are important pollinators, and they play a crucial role in our gardens.

The female leaf cutter bee cuts circular sections from the leaves of many different plants to create a safe nest for her larvae. After cutting a piece, she flies away to her tunnel or burrow and lines the inside. Unlike honeybees, who collect pollen on their legs, leaf cutter bees carry it on the underside of their abdomens. She then feeds this pollen to her offspring. Leafcutter bees frequent gardens, fields, and forests, diligently pollinating flowers and crops as they go. If you can tolerate a few holes in your leaves, this little bee will pay you back by pollinating your plants. Those lacy leaves can remind us of how interconnected all living things are.

Despite their essential role in ecosystems and agriculture, leaf cutter bees face various threats, including habitat loss and pesticide exposure. Conservation efforts aimed at preserving their habitats and promoting sustainable farming practices are crucial for ensuring their survival.

If you’re interested in bees of all kinds, or planting for pollinators, check out these two great publications by following the links below:

Plants for Pollinators in the low desert of Arizona (AZ 2060)
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/plants-pollinators-low-desert-arizona

Honeybee Series: Honeybee Pollination in Arizona (AZ 2015)
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/honeybee-series-honeybee-pollination-arizona

Recently at our Extension Gardens off of River/Campbell our IPM volunteers had an inquiry from Laurie, in the Shade Garden, regarding a Weberi agave next to the west shed. The leaves are curling inward, and there are large brown spots on the leaves.

Leaf spot is a fungal infection, causing brown spots on the leaves. This fungus, a species of Colletotrichum, causes a disease known as anthracnose. This is common during cool, humid, or wet weather.

This includes splashing rain, too much shade or excessive irrigation. The disease spores spread from plant to plant via splashing water or wind-blown rain. There are lots of variations in susceptibility among Agave species. Severe lesions have been observed on Agave Weberi while other species growing nearby are not affected.

To correct, remove affected parts of the plant, bag and discard. Check the irrigation and drainage of the soil. You can treat your plant with a fungicide. There is irrigation to a nearby tree, but the soil was not wet under the agave.

We recommended UA PUB: AZ 1399 Problems and Pests of Agave, Aloe, Cactus and Yucca, so the group can read more about what the causes and treatments are.https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1399.pdf

Another issue was the curling of leaves inward. One of the most common reasons for agave plant leaves curling is overwatering. Agave plants are succulents, so they store water in their leaves and stems. They are adapted to survive in dry environments and do not require frequent watering. If your agave plant is getting too much water, its leaves may curl or turn yellow.

The pictures in the graphic show a healthy Weberi agave in the middle, leaf spot magnified in the top picture & the inward curling leaves in the bottom picture.
Pictures provided by volunteer Master Gardeners.

Do you have plant issues that you'd like to ask our Master Gardeners? Come visit our Plant Clinic in-person on Mondays or Thursdays from 10:00an - 2:00pm!
Can't make it in person? Fill out an online form - https://arizonace.quickbase.com/db/bpud95r3m?a=nwr&ifv=250

Don't let your business get soaked by high water bills!

Attend a free Water Conservation for Business workshop hosted by Local First Arizona, one of Mesa’s nonprofit partners committed to community and economic development throughout Arizona, and discover how your business can conserve water and save money.

The workshop will spotlight various statewide incentives, including our newly increased offerings for commercial customers of up to $70,000 for future grass conversion and irrigation equipment replacement projects.

Water You Waiting For? Register today at localfirstaz.com/events/water-you-waiting-for.

Virtual workshop details:
Thursday, May 16
4 - 5 p.m.

It's not too late to add some heat-loving flowers to your garden, but don't wait too long. Planting once the temperatures are hitting the high 90s and 100s is too hot for any plant to recover from transplanting. If you are planning on any of these flowers to be beautiful once the heat hits, plant them anytime in May.

Using the basic guidelines for most plants, read the best practices for the particular flower you are adding to your garden. Does it love the shade or need full sun? Choose the spot accordingly. Some flowers will thrive in the Sonoran soil, but some will need the soil amended. A little compost will give your new babies a boost.

Check out this guide - (https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1100a.pdf) that not only lists the heat-loving flowers but many others as well. There are also detailed planting instructions along with "best planted by" dates. It is your guide to many of the flowers that love our Sonoran climate.

Sometimes propagation is as easy as 1-2-3 - my usual way is to take a cutting & plop it in a pot. Other times, it takes a bit of finesse.

Not all plants can be propagated in the same fashion, so be sure to do a bit of research about how the plant you are wanting to duplicate is most successful. Whether it be by cuttings, layering, division, or budding/grafting we wish you lots of success!

For more info -
This link is a fantastic overview of the major ways of propagation:
https://digitalpubs.ext.vt.edu/vcedigitalpubs/9445241413231355/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1609379&folio=2

Feel like something fruity?
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/budding-citrus-trees

Very handy resource for a lot of our natives!
https://extension.arizona.edu/pubs/how-propagate-agaves-cacti-cuttings-seed

Thysanoptera is another name for those pesky critters known to rose growers as thrips. They are tiny, slender insects, often measuring just a few millimeters in length. Despite their small size, they can cause significant damage to plants by feeding on their tissues and transmitting plant diseases. Thrips are characterized by their unique rasping-sucking mouthparts, which they use to puncture plant cells and suck out the contents. They are often found in large numbers on leaves, flowers, and fruits, where they can distort plant tissues and cause stippling or silvering of leaf surfaces.

The best way to check for their presence is to hold a flower, stem, or branch tip and tap it sharply against a clean, white sheet of paper. You don’t need to cut the branch off the plant. Look closely at the paper. If thrips are present, you will see tiny linear bodies that are moving around. Using magnification, you may see mostly wingless nymphs and possibly a few winged adults crawling around on the paper.

Do you think you have thrips? The Master Gardeners' Plant Clinic is here to help you identify and manage your plant problems. Contact us either online or in person.
In-person: 4210 N Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85719
Mon & Th from 10-2
On-Line: https://arizonace.quickbase.com/db/bpud95r3m?a=nwr&ifv=250 (English)
OR
https://arizonace.quickbase.com/db/bpud95r3m?a=nwr&dfid=18&ifv=250 (Spanish)

To control thrips please read this article for details:https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/attachment/Thrips_0.pdf
For more information check this article out: https://cales.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/thrips2014.html