I have become more and more intrigued with gardens designed with native plants. You may be thinking, native plants are messy and boring. The appeal is not necessarily in their showy flowers, although some have very unique flowers and textures, but in their ability to thrive in natural conditions with minimal care. I am not a purist by any means but integrating natives into your mixed borders just makes sense to me.
My goal is to visit at least one local nursery that specializes in native plants every time I travel. Business trips are much more difficult since we hardly see the light of day. On a recent trip to Tucson, Arizona, I visited my first native plant nursery, Civano Nursery.
About Civano Nursery
Civano Nusery is situated at the entrance of the Civano Development, a sustainable housing community on the Southeast side of Tucson. I was in search of a local nursery that specializes in Arizona and Sonoran Desert native plants. This had to be one of the most colorful nurseries I have ever visited. Although, I shouldn’t be surprised since most desert themes are very rich in color.
The staff were super friendly and took the time to educate me on some of the Arizona natives. A few of my favorites were the desert willow, “octopus” agave, and ocotillo. Ocotillo is a very distinctive desert shrub with thorny spikes that rise out of the ground up to 15 feet tall. During the drought season, this shrub looks dead, but once the rain hits, green leaves suddenly appear and bright, red tubular flowers appear in the spring. The nursery used the ocotillo poles as fencing to keep the rabbits out of the garden. >>More Civano Nursery plant pics
When controlling pests in your yard, take the path of least toxicity. Not all bugs are harmful or cause damage to the plants in your garden. Beneficial insects, like the ones mentioned below, actually prey on the pests you are trying to get rid of. Pesticides, whether organic or synthetic, can be toxic to humans, beneficial insects, the pests they eat, and other predators like birds, frogs, fish, and cats to name a few.
I recently had aphids all over my Euphorbias earlier this spring. At first, I pinched them between my fingers every morning before work. Over the next couple of weeks, the colonies seemed to double . . . then triple. I reluctantly pruned the chartruese brachts (flowers) in hopes of bringing the population under control. Much to my displeasure, the colonies started migrating to the neighboring Euphorbias. I finally decided to selectively spray the brachts that were about to be smothered by aphids. Then one morning, I discovered the aphids had been replaced with a dozen Soldier Beetles.
Hierarchy of Pest Control
I’ll be honest, taking the path of least toxicity takes patience, a basic understanding of your garden, and commitment to healthy practices. Creating a healthy, toxic-free yard benefits not only beneficial wildlife, but also your pets, your family, your pocket book, and the environment. I’m not a crazed environmentalist preaching for major life changes overnight. I speak from experience that going “toxic-free” is a process that you should take one day at a time. As you come across pests in your yard, start with the least-toxic method listed below.
PREVENTION - use native plants, look for disease resistant varieties, annual vegetable crop rotation
PHYSICAL - remove whatever pests are eating, hand picking, pruning, blast bugs with the hose, traps
BIOLOGICAL - attract natural predators such as birds, beneficial insects, or even bats
CHEMICAL - organic or synthetic pesticides (hopefully this article persuades you to take the least toxic path available)
Prevention is key to stop the spread of bird diseases to humans and other birds. Backyard bird feeding has been a favorite pastime for many homeowners. However, birds can carry various diseases that can be passed along to other birds and sometimes to humans through their saliva and feces. >>What To Do If You See A Sick Bird
Birds can become sick after eating leftover feed that has become moldy and from bird poop that piles up around the feeder. Promote a healthy feeding environment for birds, and you for that matter, by routinely cleaning your feeders. >>About Birds and Bird Feeding
Feeder Care
Clean feeders once every 2 weeks or more often if you have heavy traffic.
Wash your feeders thoroughly in soapy water then soak or rinse in a solution of 1 parts bleach to 9 parts water.
Completely dry before refilling with bird seed.
Hummingbird feeders should be cleaned every 3 to 5 days when you refill the nectar.
Remove any excess seed that accumulates on the ground below the feeder.
Birds play an important role in ecological balance by propogating plant life and controlling insects. A healthy population is vital in maintaining other natural resources. Whether you live in urban, suburban, or rural areas, there are birds that need your help. >>Getting Started: What You Can Do
There are many culinary uses for herbs, whether dried or fresh. One of my fellow bloggers from Austrailia has a great recipe for Herb Salt. Trudi uses the salt for salad dressings, soup stock, or anything she deems appropriate. Her favorite herbs for the recipe are Celery Leaves, Parsley, Summer Savory, and Tarragon. Basically, any herb at her disposal. To add some color interest to her salt, Trudi mixes in a little Chilli Powder, Calendula and Borage Flowers.
Herbs are a great way for beginners to get their hands dirty in the garden. In my opinion, herbs are easy and one of the most useful plants you’ll ever care for. Whether you’re thinking about potting culinary favorites or incorporating ornamental varieties into your landscape, here’s just a few things to consider:
Exposure - most herbs like to be placed in a sunny part of the yard, or at least 6 hours out of the day. Sun lovers include chives, oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary. However, there are those that prefer a little afternoon shade like lemon balm, parsley, rosemary, basil, mint, and mustard to name a few.
Soil - Compost based products are recommended for landscape and potted herbs. Potted herbs need soils that help retain moisture, and landscaped herbs prefer compost rich, water-draining soil.
Water - Most herbs become drought tolerant after a year of routine watering. Soak your potted herbs in the morning to help them get through a hot summer day, especially if they’re positioned in the sun.
Feed - Weekly feedings during the growing season (March through September) helps plants produce leaves and stay healthy after routine cuttings. Any product that boosts leaf production is sufficient.
I recently stumbled across this unique succulent chair by Sandra Nelson, a fellow blogger at Art In The Garden. Susan found this retro style chair at a thrift store and was drawn to the shiny chrome frame. Although there are no before pictures, the photo shows Susan cut off the less-than-fabulous material and replaced the form with chicken wire.
As with any wire container, you must keep the soil from seeping through the holes by filling them with dampened sphagnum moss(note: don’t buy sphagnum peat moss). Be sure to press the pieces firmly into the holes and fill the spaces completely. Chicken wire and peat moss can be found at any local, full-service nursery or home improvement store. To limit messy leakage when watering, line the moss with a sheet of plastic, which also acts as a moisture barrier. Remember to cut one good drainage hole at the bottom of both the seat back and bottom.
Next, slit the plastic where you plan to insert the roots of your succulents. Sandra planted sedums, hens and chicks, and thyme. Buy the smallest plants available to make inserting the plants’ roots through the wire holes and plastic slits easier.
Fill the frame’s center with potting soil. Not just any soil but a free-draining potting mix with slow-release fertilizer. Firm the soil around the roots of the plants by pressing it down with your hands.
Ever so gently, water your self-acclaimed artwork thoroughly and keep the soil evenly moist until new growth appears. At that point, you only have to water when the soil becomes dry. You’re better off giving your container a good soaking, rather than just misting the top layer. TIP: If the plants start looking wilty, then you’ve waited too long.
Be prepared to learn from your mistakes because no one said this was an exact science.
Thanks Sandra for your creativity and best of luck to you! Imagine how fabulous this chair will look once the plants fill in. If you would like to see your project featured on my blog, please respond with your ideas or visit Have A Garden Question .
Tired of spending your summers watering your garden? If you don’t have the money to install an in-ground sprinkler system, consider choosing xeriscape perennialsfor your garden. There are so many benefits: drought tolerant, beautiful flowers, save money, easy to maintain, and attracts birds and pollinators. I can’t say enough about High Country Gardens (HCG) for ideas, planning, and garden know-how. HCG’s exclusive Xeriscape Flower Fan is a great tool to see perennial combinations by height, color, blooming season, soil preference, and water needs. Wherever you are Julie Fischer, “THANK YOU!
If you’re starting from scratch, HCG has a great article to help you analyze the various aspects of your yard like, weather, wind patterns, sun patterns, and SOIL. Soil is a big, I mean huge, element that most beginners overlook. I admit, I was gung-ho at first and I’m still paying the price for planting in poor soil. Many plant problems can be eliminated by putting plants in soil they like. Also, many synthetic pesticides and fertilizers won’t have to be used which helps save beneficial insects, the environment, and your money. For tips on making your own soil amendment, see Why Make Compost
I highly recommend beginners start by choosing plants that are suitable to your area’s USDA’s Plant Hardiness Zone. There’s a reason why plants from these zones are successful, so trust the map. Click here for how to use the map and find plants that are appropriate for your area.
The guys at TerraCycle were ingenious enough to construct a Rotary Composter from wine barrels on their way to the landfills. Oak wine barrels are used to age wine then thrown away after one use. Why compost you say? Making you own compost is the best way to improve your soil and rid your garden of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers forever. >>Read More…
Dr. Joe Willis gives a demonstration on how the composter is used:
Where have all the bees gone? Many farmers have managed regional problems for years, but now we are faced with bees disappearing in droves across the nation. The benefits of bees go way beyond the honey they produce. In the agriculture world, bees play an invaluable role in pollinating many of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day.
In a New York Times article, Cornell University estimated that bees pollinate up to $14 billion worth of seeds a year. According to Entrepreneur.com, honey bees are responsible for pollinating over 90 varieties of fruits and vegetables worldwide, especially blueberries and apples. Just think about how many bites of food we eat every day that depend on the pollination of bees.
There are many different theories as to why the bees are disappearing at such alarming rates, ranging from synthetic pesticides, poor nutrition, cold weather, mite infestations, diseases, or just pure exhaustion. Whether you are an avid gardener or just a consumer who likes to eat, we can all do our part to support local bee colonies. Here is some food for thought:
Eliminate the use of synthetic pesticides, especially when bees and other pollinators are hard at work. The residue left on plants, even when dry, can harm beneficial insects. Many pest and disease problems can be eliminated by improving soil quality and water practices. Prevention is the key to achieving a natural garden!
Choose spring and summer plants that pollinators love. Many of these plants are drought tolerant once established through regular watering during the first season. Some of my favorites include:
For a complete plant list, click Urban Bee Project. Please consult a local nursery to be sure the plants are not considered invasive in your area. Choosing native plants is a sure way to have a successful, low-maintenance, yet beautiful garden.
Want to save time this spring from weeding? For those of you not covered by snow, pull weeds before they flower and set seed. . . all over your yard. This is not the most fun part of gardening, but believe me, your back will thank you. Check out Weed Or Not To Weed, for some great tools to help you tackle those perennial weeds.
I recently stumbled across this unique succulent chair by Sandra Nelson, a fellow blogger at 
Where have all the bees gone? Many farmers have managed regional problems for years, but now we are faced with bees disappearing in droves across the nation. The benefits of bees go way beyond the honey they produce. In the agriculture world, bees play an invaluable role in pollinating many of the fruits and vegetables we eat every day.
