Desert Horticulture

Testing of home landscapes can be expensive. Sampling and testing of desert soils doesn't  have to be done every year. Usually every three to five years is enough. Learn how to establish a baseline desert soil test of your landscape and how often testing should be done. All this and more in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show

Desert horticulture is a unique form of horticulture that must be tweaked for desert soils, increased sunlight intensity, increased temperatures,  low humidity and other factors. It's frustrating when solid local horticultural advice been given and people check its accuracy on a general horticulture Internet sites, not knowing whether this advice is good or bad. When seeking advice stay close to home and from a reliable source.  Sometimes advice is based on marketing. Sometimes it's just bad advice. Only you can determine if the advice is applicable to your situation or not.  Find out more on this episode of Desert horticulture.Support the show

Desert soils can be very low in organics. This is why amendments are added to landscapes. Amendments will benefit the soil structure or soil chemistry or both! Learn what it means to amend the soil and differences in soil amendments and what they can and can't do. Learn how composts differ in how  rich in nutrients and why, how they are made and which to use and when.  All in this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show

Iron, manganese and zinc is in short supply in desert soils. Particularly iron. Learn how applications of iron should differ, from soil to liquid leaf (foliar) applications, depending on the time of year. Not only that but its effectiveness varies depending on the type of product used, how it is applied and when it is applied. Learn this and more in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show

Fire blight disease is one of the most virulent and aggressive diseases that fruit trees and landscape plants can get. This past year we've had an outbreak of this disease. Some fruit trees and landscape plants are more susceptible to it than others. In particular Asian pears, Quince and some European pears as well is apples can get it. Walk your landscape and Orchard in the spring months when new growth occurs. If you've had fireblight in the past walked your landscape frequently to check on this disease. Learn more about this disease by listening to this episode of Desert horticulture.Support the show

Summer pruning is a confusing management practice. It starts around late spring or very early summer and may continue all summer long. Its purpose is twofold: keep the tree smaller and reduce the winter pruning workload. Summer pruning focuses on removal of new growth only from existing productive trees. Summer pruning allows the tree to invest new growth where it senses light and a "hole" in the canopy needs to be "plugged". When fruit trees are meant to stay small, summer pruning can be a valuable management tool. Learn all about it on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

I'm not a huge fan of growing citrus at the middle elevations in the Eastern Mojave desert but it can be done. Citrus production is best done in southern Arizona and at lower elevations, warm parts of Southern California such as Riverside and Orange counties and along coastal regions such as the Galveston area of Texas. Citrus in our part of the world is best treated as a hobby; some years you get a good crop and other years you don't. Because of global climate change and Covid, citrus is become very popular for home gardens. This episode of Desert Horticulture focuses on what kind of citrus to buy, wear and how to plant these small to medium-sized fruit trees.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Wind can cause two types of damage to plants; visual and nonvisual damages. The most pernicious of the two are the nonvisual damages which reduce production and the quality of the fruit and vegetables and plants produced. This episode of desert horticulture discusses how we can design windbreaks that don't use any water or choose to divert winds away from the crops were producing. All this and more on today's desert horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

I will conduct hands-on pruning classes beginning Friday, Dec. 10. All classes begin at 9 am, cost $20 per person and will be held at the Ahern Orchard downtown Las Vegas (700 Clarkway Drive for gps). Separate classes will be given for apricots and plum (pluots, Dec 10), peaches Dec 17 and 18, apples and pears on January 7 (2022), pomegranates, figs and Jujube January 14, wine and table grapes on January 21 and fertilizers (plus iron) on January 28. I will be posting "how to" guides on my blog for those who cant make it. But nothing beats "hands on"!Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

There is one palm that is sometimes called the "Desert Palm" and its not the Queen Palm but the California Palm. Although it can survive desert extremes, Queen Palm might not be the best choice when it comes to palms looking their best when grown in the desert.  Learn of Queen Palms shortcomings in desert environments and what you have to do to keep it looking its best in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

This saguaro was leaning because it was always watered at its base. But having a 20 year old saguaro tells me you were doing something right. Learn when to water, how much to water and if you should fertilize it or not on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Whether you are planting a hedge or a tree the spacing of it depends on its mature height. Make sure you know what height your mature plant will be before selecting and planting it. Learn this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Grubs come in many sizes. Some of them are 3/8 inch long and others can be 4 inches long. They are immature forms of a beetle.  Some landscapes can be 'grub attractors". But homeowners will call anything chomping on the roots of a beloved landscape plant, a "grub'. Learn what they are and what you can do about them in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

After meeting with a local HOA Board about their water use it was clear to me they needed help but were not ready to accept it. First, be ready to accept responsibility for the water used on your landscape.  Gain control of your irrigation. Learn more about landscape water use on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

The worst demon in desert landscapes is the irrigation controller. People assume they can just turn their watering over to an automatic system. That can be a mistake with some of our desert natives like the Joshua tree. Learn how to establish, water and maintain a Joshua tree in a Mojave Desert landscape. All this and more on todays Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

When to fertilize Podocarpus 'Maki' is at the same time to fertilize other trees and shrubs that dont have flowers and fruit that you want...some time before spring growth starts. Not true of other plants that are tender to winter temps and that flower profusely like roses. Learn when to fertilize landscape plants, how much to apply and what to use on this episode of Desert Horticutlure.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Tree damage can occur where it is grown, where it is retailed, at planting time or when it is cared for. But you bought an undamaged plant! Learn what what can happen to a damaged plant, a particular disease that it can get, and what to do about it in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Growing citrus in any climate other than where it grows naturally can be a challenge. There are temperature issues, rainfall, soil compatibility issues. All of these must be addressed if we want successful fruit production and a healthy tree. Join me in this episode of Desert Horticulture where we look at successful citrus production in the desert and what it takes.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Freeze effects during the spring last months after it occurs. If you don’t pay attention to what’s happening, you’ll miss it and then you start scratching your head, “What’s going on?” We can see these effects in the short-term on landscape trees and shrubs as well is fruit production into the fall. It’s confusing if you don’t understand the different effects that freezing temperatures can have on different plants. Join me on this podcast in Desert Horticulture and find out the reasons why your fruit trees and landscape plants might not produce the fruit that was promised.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Food forests are gaining in popularity everywhere, including desert environments. But are the right thing to do? Join Bob Morris on this podcast exploring the pluses and minuses of growing food in the desert on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Our worst months for growing roses is during the summer. But otherwise growing roses in the desert is nothing short of a miracle and not that difficult. Roses are not just about flower color. Learn that besides color, roses come as climbers, cut flower types, those that are fragrant (and the aroma of the fragrance is important too!). Learn that proper selection of a the type of rose, what you want to get out of it, is critical to success. But in the desert, soil amendments, fertilizer and irrigation are important as well.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

It's very simple. Prune flowering trees and shrubs when they have finished flowering. Now you dont have to download and listen to this podcast unless you want to learn WHY and WHEN to prune these plants to prevent sun damage from the intense desert sun.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Pomegranates are easy to grow in desert climates since they originated from the warm arid climates in in Central Asia. Did you know there are about 640 varieties of pomegranates and those grown for their fruit can ripen them anywhere from late summer to midwinter. The fruit "skin" can range in color from lemon yellow to pink to red to purple. The juice can be sweet or "puckery". The seeds can be range from chewable to "spitable". "Wonderful" pomegranate is the most common variety grown in the US and known for its tart juice and hard seeds.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

The most common question I am asked is how much water should I give my landscape plants. It is a difficult question to answer because it can mean different things to different people. But a little detective work and the use of some equipment can give you some answers on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

The primary reason homeowners are choosing turf type tall fescue for home lawns is because it stays green during the winter. But what if you wanted to save water and still have a beautiful lawn? Try the hybrid warm season grasses. They can be bought as seed online and still give you a very nice looking lawn. But you will have to overseed them in the fall if you want a green lawn through the winter. Confusing? Learn more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

I received a question about ash flowers from a concerned reader. This caused me to think about ash trees for urban landscapes in the desert. Are they a good choice? Only you can decide that but be informed about what ash trees can and can't do before you buy. And if you decide on one, know which is the best one, how to plant it and maintain it. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Meet Diane and Tom of Herbs by Diane of Boulder City, Nevada, who grow and sell herbs to chefs, restaurants as well as the public. Learn their secrets about growing and producing as a small scale producer. You can email questions directly to Diane and Tom at dianegreene2@cox.net and ask for their weekly list of items available. Have something you really want to try.? Contact Diane and Tom for custom growing and harvesting. Herbs, greens and microgreens can be picked up in Boulder City, NV, on Thursdays at Fruitsandroots in Las Vegas or Sunday's at the Fresh52 Farmer's Market in Henderson. All this and more in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Fall months are busy gardening months. Learn what you should do to your home desert landscape. Covered are all the maintenance practices that you will need during the cooler fall months including planting, fertilizing, watering, insect, disease and weed control. All this and more in the episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Most desert lawns are small and functional. The only places where they are large is where water is not expensive. Learn which lawn grasses are best for your desert environment, which grasses to use and why, how to plant them and manage them for future years. All this and more in this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Artificial grass has many pluses and a few minuses that most people dont realize when they elect to plant it in the desert. Listen to this podcast and learn what these are before you buy. Then make your decision on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Mulch is anything applied to the soil surface. It can keep the soil cooler, save water that is already in the soil and control weeds. Organic mulch may rot or decompose into the soil and improve it. Learn why mulch is a critical component of desert soils and which ones you should be using and why.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Quite a few people have been asking what vegetables they can plant in this fall. This podcast discusses the fall planting of vegetables in the desert and what you can do to have a more successful fall garden.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Summer time when it's hot is not the best time to plant landscape plants. The best time is an early spring and early fall when temperatures are cooler. But sometimes planting during the heat is unavoidable. Learn what mistakes some of the professionals make and how to avoid them. All this and more on today's Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

According to some, this past summer heat was hard on plants. Was it the heat or was it something else? Listen and find out. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Plants don't care where their nutrients come from. Its not the source of the nutrients that is the problem. Toxicities arise in fertilizers when and how it is manufactured or mined. That is not to say that so-called organic fertilizers are blameless and that topic will be handled in another podcast. Learn how plants use nutrients, which nutrients are important for plant growth and why. Learn how to apply fertilizers and when in this Desert Horticulture podcast.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Ever hear of the Damascus rose? Syria is a pretty dry place. Roses can do quite well growing in the desert. But you should know which ones to use, which landscape locations are best, how to plant them and care for them to look good. This audio podcast will tell you how. Also read about them on my blog at https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/2020/06/this-isthe-time-of-year-when-garden.htmlSupport the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

HOA's have the daunting responsibility to keep landscapes attractive and save money at the same time. Two of the most expensive costs to community members in desert HOA's is the water bill and landscaping bill. Landscapes can be attractive and not ruin the resale value of its homes for community members, and all the while keep water costs to a minimum, by following some simple rules. Learn what they are and how to implement them.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Thinning fruit, or fruit removal so the remaining fruit becomes larger, doesn't work on all fruit trees. Some are "thinned" during the pruning stage, Some trees dont seem to care if they are thinned or not. They produce the same regardless. Learn which ones to thin and why on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Bottle trees (Brachychiton pupulneus) are NOT desert trees. Many people believe they are but they come from semi arid parts of Australia and should be watered, planted and managed as mesic not xeric plants. Spider mites are the bane of many gardeners whether they are found on Italian cypress or tomato plants. Learn how to identify and manage them. Plant yellowing is common in the desert either resulting from a plant nutrient shortage, planting or watering issue. Learn the difference!Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

I would like to see you do three things to your landscape the day after a rain in the desert; make sure your irrigation applications are away from cement and steel structures, inspect your landscape and fruit trees and shrubs for borer activity and take care of any mushroom problems that appear. Water in the desert is very destabilizing. Desert soils are formed under eons of dry weather. Keep water away from cement and steel. Borer activity will express itself with sap oozing from the trunk and limbs the day after a rain if they are present. Mushrooms are a good sign in a residential landscape. It's a sign of biological activity.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Are you frustrated that during the last few years early spring freezes eliminated your peach crop? Want to learn what plants are growing in your yard to take better care of them? Want to know how to prune a miniature or genetic dwarf peach tree? Learn all this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Have you ever wondered how desert landscapes should differ from landscapes in wetter climates? Desert landscapes must endure hotter and drier weather and they require a whole new set of plants. We will learn why desert landscaping and landscape design are not just cacti and rock. We will compare it to Xeriscape and how it might differ from landscape designs in Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas and most of Utah. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) has been grown in China for 4000 years as a fruit. It tolerates a wide range of climates including our dry, harsh desert. In this interview with Rafael for Desert Horticulture, learn how this tree has been cultivated in our Mojave Desert climate with few pest or management problems. Also learn how Rafael has developed some promising new cultivars that specifically were selected for our desert due to their performance and taste.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

This second episode discusses how to implement water conservation measures in desert landscape irrigation practices. Specifically it discusses how desert irrigation systems should be divided (valved) separately for the type of plants used (xeric vs mesic plants) and the size of the plants. Small plants should be irrigated separately from trees and large shrubs. It also discusses the use of a long metal rod (rebar) and inexpensive soil moisture sensors for determining when to irrigate and how many minutes to apply water.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Desert plants (xeric) use water differently from non-desert plants (mesic). Learn in this episode of Desert Horticulture how to irrigate desert plants and why terms like xeric, mesic, ET and others are an important first step when learning how to water a desert landscape.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

This episode of Desert Horticulture examines the possibility that verticillium wilt could be responsible for live die back in Desert Willow. The second question asks about soil amendments added to soil mixes such as Rock Dust, vermiculite or perlite. What are the reasons for adding them and why not? The third question compares Desert Museum Palo Verde with crepe myrtle and how they differ when managing them in the landscape and why. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Three popular questions I was sent include improving the size of Bartlett pears, whether a pomegranate can be planted during the winter or not, and what are whiteflies and what damage do they create? In this episode I talk about the three major types of pears that can be grown in the Mojave Desert, how to get them bigger and when to pick them. I also talk about the best times to plant a pomegranate and what to be careful about. Finally, one reader didn't understand what whiteflies were, how to control them and the problems that they create. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

The dead of winter is not the only time to prune fruit trees. Fruit trees can be pruned 12 months of the year you just have to know what you're doing and do it carefully in the desert. Find out what kind of pruning you can do outside of the winter months on this episode of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Your plants are telling you something. Maybe not in English but if you observe them they are talking to you. That dark green color of leaves after you fertilize is a good indicator of high nitrogen fertilizer, good growth tells you plenty of nitrogen was present earlier in the season. Leaf scorch might tell you the plant is in the wrong spot or planted wrong. Yellow leaf color may be due to a lack of nutrients, improper watering, or a cold winter. Plants do talk. You just have to stop and listen. Learn how on this podcast of Desert Horticulture.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Don't know which fruit trees or varieties to grow and you live in a desert? You should hurry before the best ones are gone! I just received a Grow Organic fruit tree catalog and I wanted to walk through it with you if you are planning to grow fruit trees in the Mojave Desert. My experience is in two different locations in the Mojave (or Mohave) Desert for 25 years; for 18 years at the University of Nevada Research and Demonstration Orchard (700 fruit trees and numerous vegetable crops) in North Las Vegas and another five years at the Ahern Orchard 1 1/2 miles from the Strip in Las Vegas. This is podcast is meant to be a companion piece to a something I wrote for my blog at Xtremehorticulture of the Desert.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)

Principles never change. How to apply them changes because you live in the desert. Vegetable production is the same in the Mojave Desert as it was in Michigan, Idaho, Utah or California. The APPLICATION of these principles change. Learn from this podcast the basic principles important when growing high quality vegetables in the desert.Support the show (https://xtremehorticulture.blogspot.com/)