FAQ

What is the most important thing to keep in mind when selecting plants for my landscape? There are several things to consider prior to purchasing plants, including sun exposure, whether the plant will thrive in the zone we live in and litter traits. For example, it is not a good idea to choose high litter plants next to your pool. Equally as important, that many people fail to consider, is the mature size of the plant. Buying a tree in a 5 gallon container may seem perfect for your 15' space, but if the tree matures to 30' you have a problem that can only be solved by constant pruning as the tree ages which is not healthy for the plant. It is important to check with a professional or do your research prior to investing time and money in plant selection.

What is the difference between compost and mulch? These terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a distinct difference between them. Compost is decomposing organic matter used to improve the soil, while mulch is used to cover the soil. In Phoenix gardens, compost is often used in vegetable gardens and non-native annual gardens to give our alkaline soil more acidity and increase nutrients. Mulch on the other hand, reduces heat and evaporation, helps prevent weeds, reduces erosion and improves appearance. Mulches can be organic (wood chips, dead leaves, straw) and will eventually decompose and change the soil which is why they are often confused with compost. In Phoenix we often use inorganic mulch such as decomposed granite.

September Gardening Tips

September is another transition month in the desert. We feel like the worst of summer heat should be over -- but it isn't.

What To Do in September

Grass

If you plan to over-seed your Bermuda, stop fertilizing. You'll be over-seeding next month.

If you are not planting a winter lawn, add about 10 pounds of Ironite for every 1,000 square feet.

Trees/Shrubs

If you didn’t fertilize your citrus during August do it now. Use ammonium sulfate. This last fertilizing will help make larger fruit. Lemons can be picked as needed later in September even though the fruit is still green. Lemons will not get sweeter, just juicier. Truly ripened limes will turn yellow. This is a good time to get inside your citrus trees, trim out the water sprouts and clean out any dead wood.

You may begin planting non-frost sensitive trees and shrubs from containers. Soil temperatures are still warm enough to help roots establish quickly. After planting, water deeply. Dig a planting hole about three times the diameter of the root ball and no deeper.

Flowers

Prepare flower beds just as you would the vegetable plots, but planting of most flowers should be delayed until mid- October.

Hose off the rose leaves 1-2 times a week to remove dust, spider mites and potential white flies. Water roses about every three days and apply about five gallons of water to each plant. Prune dead canes and weak top growth, but no heavy pruning.

Some bulbs like tulips and hyacinths need to be chilled in a paper sack in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator for four to six weeks or they won’t bloom.

Vegetables

The most important step to achieving a successful garden in the Valley is soil preparation. Spade the garden beds to a depth of 8-12 inches, turn the soil over, break up clods. For each 100 square feet of garden area add 2 pounds of 16-20-0, ammonium phosphate; 5 pounds of sulfur and 5 pounds of Ironite. Spread 3-6 inches (eight to 10 two-cubic-foot bags) of compost, forest mulch or steer manure. Mix all this together, water it well and when the soil has dried to just moist, you are ready to plant.

If you grow onions use gypsum in place of sulfur because sulfur makes onions strong and hot.

If your tomatoes and peppers are still alive, trim them back to 18 inches. Remember the root zone is as large as the foliage, so sprinkle one-half cup of ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) and Ironite on moist soil over the entire root zone.

As temperatures drop below 100 degrees, seeds of cool-season crops can be planted. These veggies can be directly seeded in the garden later in the month: beets, celery, carrots, chard, endive, peas, green onions, parsnips, lettuce, snap beans, bok choy, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, cucumbers, kale, lettuce, leeks, mustard, radishes, spinach, and turnips.

Don't Make These Garden Mistakes in September

When fertilizing citrus, don't sprinkle the fertilizer next to the trunk, since the roots won't get the benefit there. Fertilize the outer 2/3 of the root area.

Hold off on transplants of broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chard, and lettuce until after the end of September or beginning of October. The temperatures must be consistently below 100°F.

Don't over water after transplanting trees and shrubs. Too much water can drown and rot the roots.

What To Do in November

Grass

Bermuda should be watered with two to three inches of water each week. Bermuda will become dormant as temperatures drop to below 50 degrees.
Dethatch to prevent fungus diseases.
Overseeding should have been done by now.
Winter ryegrass should be mowed to 1-1/2 to 2 inches. Keep watering until established, and then water only about once a week.
Yellowing of the winter lawn may occur when the cold weather sets in. An application of ammonium nitrate will bring back the dark green color.

Trees/Shrubs

Cut back watering of all trees and shrubs, but continue to water deeply. Don't over water or fungus will grow.
Plant 3-5 gallon shrubs and 10-15 gallon trees.
Clean dead branches out trees and shrubs.
Trim unwanted sprouts from the interior of your citrus trees. This makes it easier to harvest fruit.
Keep the skirt of your citrus trees pruned and trimmed to about two or three feet from the ground. This permits a better air flow and minimizes chances of fungus.

Flowers

Plant in full sun: petunias, calendulas, dianthus and snapdragons
Plant in part sun or shade: dianthus, geraniums, impatiens, and primrose
Plant bulbs in well-drained soil that is also high in compost or organic matter. Your bulbs should be planted with about two inches of sand beneath them. Cover with a coarse material such as peat moss or crushed wood products, such as bark. Plant Amaryllis, Anemone, Calla and Easter Lily, Dutch Crocus, Daffodil, Freesia, Gladiolus, Iris, and Ranunculus. Planting in clusters rather than in rows makes for a nice arrangement. Bulbs should be given a good soaking immediately after planting, and every seven to ten days after growth begins.
Keep spent rose blooms pruned.

Vegetables

Now is the time to plant seeds for beets, bok choy, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collards, endive, kale, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsley, peas, radishes, rutabaga, spinach, and turnips.
Transplants in November include asparagus, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, chard, and lettuce.
When you plant any of the many varieties of leaf lettuce you can harvest and the plant will keep growing new leaves. You don't have to pick the whole head of lettuce.
Plant strawberries now to get berries next spring.
If you planted vegetables in October, thin out seedlings about three to four weeks after germination. Snip them, don't pull them.

Don't Make These Garden Mistakes in November

Don't forget to check for aphids in the garden. Use soapy water in a spray bottle to control them.
Don't water the lawn when it's dark.
Do not fertilize frost-tender plants such as bottlebrush, bougainvillea, oleander and citrus.
Don't procrastinate about preparing for cold weather. Toward the end of November we can get frost, and your garden will be at risk if you don't cover tender plants, flowers and vegetables.
Don't ignore weeds. Either pull them later, or use pre-emergent now.

What To Do in December

Prepare for frosts now. If you don't care for your sensitive trees, bushes, flowers and vegetables before the first frost, it's probably too late, since the first frost will permanently damage them. It is not uncommon to have up to 20 frosty mornings in December. Be prepared to cover those frost-tender plants throughout December.

Grass

Your over-seeded winter lawn should be established by now.
If your winter lawn turns yellowish, fertilize. An application of Ironite will bring back the dark green color.
Water every 5-7 days, or more often if you notice a drying-out of the soil. Light or sandy soils dry out faster.

Trees/Shrubs

Wrap the trunks of young citrus and other cold-tender trees with cloth, cardboard or several layers of newspaper (no plastic) to protect them from frost. Leave them wrapped until the threat of frost has passed.
Sweet oranges, navels, lemons, tangerines and tangelos may now be picked now but pick only as needed. As the season wears on, the fruits will continue to sweeten.
Citrus fruit stores best on the tree.
Frost-tolerant trees and shrubs may planted this month. Dig holes three to five times the size of the root ball but not any deeper. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is ground level and then backfill.
Remove dead branches and water sprouts.

Christmas Trees

When you purchase your tree, try to get a freshly cut tree. Feel the needles for dryness; the needles should be pliable.
Cut an inch off the trunk, put it in a stand with a water reservoir and fill it daily.
If you buy a living tree, don't bring it inside until about a week before Christmas and take it back outside right after the holiday. After the tree has been outside for a while and is again acclimated to the colder weather, you can plant it or donate it to a school or park.

Flowers

Flowers can still be planted so choose your favorite annuals and perennials.
You can still plant bulbs. Plant them in well-drained soil that is also high in compost or organic matter. Your bulbs should be planted with about two inches of sand beneath them. Cover with a coarse material such as peat moss or crushed wood products, such as bark.
Chrysanthemums begin to die back after blooming.
Cut back dead or dying foliage and add a bit of nitrogen fertilizer.
Poinsettias will turn yellow if you water them with the foil sleeve still on because they will sit in the water. Take them to the sink, remove the foil sleeve, water until water comes out the bottom, let them drain for a few minutes and then put the foil sleeve back on.
Start getting the new rose catalogs and watch for bare root roses at nurseries later in December. Get your seed catalogs now, too, and start ordering!

Vegetables

Plant seeds: beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, garlic bulbs, green onions, leeks, lettuce, parsley, peas, radishes, swiss chard, spinach and turnips.
Asparagus is best planted in a single row.
Plant transplants: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce (head & leaf)

Don't Make These Garden Mistakes in December

Don't pick grapefruit yet. Grapefruit are the best in late spring.
Don't do any major tree pruning in December.
Don't fertilize trees or shrubs in December. Wait until Spring.
Don't over water.
Don't ignore pest problems.