Lots of tangerines.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Isn't it a bit early for this?
Lots of tangerines.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Ready to plant
Had a Kinnow (#7 on the list), my first ever! Only two fruit this year but really really good and juicy and not seedy.
Tried the Moro blood orange (#3 on the list). Very red inside. The tree only produced one fruit this year but the tree looks healthy. A few months ago it fell partly over in high winds and we staked it.
We continue to have tons of Meyer lemons, exceptionally large and juicy this year. The thorns are especially vicious this year too! I gave some to a neighbor who sent it back in the form of yummy lemon curd.
Finally, last weekend we worked on the raised beds, lifting the in-line drip irrigation and adding store-bought potting soil - bags and bags of it. They are ready for planting and I have some six packs of veggies and flowers to set out. I even bought some tomatoes but it is really too early to set them out, it still might freeze. The last freeze date is typically near the end of February.
It's hard to believe it's January, we're having exceptionally warm, balmy weather. Of course it is pleasant but I'd prefer crisp days right now.
We're
Tried the Moro blood orange (#3 on the list). Very red inside. The tree only produced one fruit this year but the tree looks healthy. A few months ago it fell partly over in high winds and we staked it.
We continue to have tons of Meyer lemons, exceptionally large and juicy this year. The thorns are especially vicious this year too! I gave some to a neighbor who sent it back in the form of yummy lemon curd.
Finally, last weekend we worked on the raised beds, lifting the in-line drip irrigation and adding store-bought potting soil - bags and bags of it. They are ready for planting and I have some six packs of veggies and flowers to set out. I even bought some tomatoes but it is really too early to set them out, it still might freeze. The last freeze date is typically near the end of February.
It's hard to believe it's January, we're having exceptionally warm, balmy weather. Of course it is pleasant but I'd prefer crisp days right now.
We're
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
More Taste Testing
Tried my first dwarf Honey (Murcott) Tangor - planted 2006. Only a few fruit. Very bumpy skin. Peels like a tangerine - milder flavor, sweet, very good. Very few seeds.
The Fairchild tangerine is half dead. The other half has lots of fruit. This is the best tasting year so far for this tree. Also I waited until the fruits had time to fully ripen. However, I'm tempted to remove this tree now that it is half dead!
Went to Baker Nursery today and ordered 24 bags of potting soil (48 cu ft!), a tree rose (Double Delight), an Arabian Jasmine and assorted veggies in 6-packs. They have already delivered it all. The potting soil is for my pots of course but mainly for the raised planters which have sunk quite a bit over the past year.
My hand is healing well, stitches removed last Friday. I'm actually developing the habit of wearing gloves to do the dishes and yardwork and I think I'll maintain it. It's a bit of a pain but my hands are not cracked an bleeding which is a big plus.
Baker's has the fruit tree order in but not yet available for sale. I'm looking at the list on their website and plotting what to buy. A pomegranite, an apple and maybe another fig. My fig tree is not doing well.
Meanwhile, I did finally clear out the planters and the melon vines to be ready for planting. Some of the deciduous fruit trees have lost their leaves but not all. We have visible frost on top of the soil in the raised planters.
The Fairchild tangerine is half dead. The other half has lots of fruit. This is the best tasting year so far for this tree. Also I waited until the fruits had time to fully ripen. However, I'm tempted to remove this tree now that it is half dead!
Went to Baker Nursery today and ordered 24 bags of potting soil (48 cu ft!), a tree rose (Double Delight), an Arabian Jasmine and assorted veggies in 6-packs. They have already delivered it all. The potting soil is for my pots of course but mainly for the raised planters which have sunk quite a bit over the past year.
My hand is healing well, stitches removed last Friday. I'm actually developing the habit of wearing gloves to do the dishes and yardwork and I think I'll maintain it. It's a bit of a pain but my hands are not cracked an bleeding which is a big plus.
Baker's has the fruit tree order in but not yet available for sale. I'm looking at the list on their website and plotting what to buy. A pomegranite, an apple and maybe another fig. My fig tree is not doing well.
Meanwhile, I did finally clear out the planters and the melon vines to be ready for planting. Some of the deciduous fruit trees have lost their leaves but not all. We have visible frost on top of the soil in the raised planters.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
What to do in a Desert Garden in January?
There are tips on what to do in the desert garden this month from the
University of Arizona College of Agriculture Maricopa County Extension
There's also a lot of other helpful information and FAQ's on that website.
Another site of interest on what to do in the garden here in the low
desert is John Chapman's site.
Climate Information for January
in Phoenix, ArizonaRainfall:
- Average: 0.6 inches
Record: 5.25 inches (1993)
Temperature (degrees F):- Average High: 65.9 degrees
Lowest High: 39 degrees (1937)
Record High: 88 degrees (1971)
Average Low: 41.2 degrees
Highest Low: 61 degrees (1988)
Record Low: 16 degrees (1913)
After the first mowing, fertilize winter lawns with a high phosphate fertilizer like superphosphate, triple superphosphate, or a complete fertilizer that is 20% phosphorous or more by weight. Ammonium phosphate (16-20-0) is another option. Follow the application rates and directions on the label. Identify and correct problems with winter laws quickly.
Prepare garden soil for Spring planting. Plant Seeds
- Beets, Bok Choy, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Lettuce, Leek, Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips
Plant Transplants
- Artichokes (Globe & Jerusalem), Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kohlrabi, Lettuce
Prune roses. Attend pruning demonstrations put on by local Rose Societies, Garden Clubs, Nurseries and the Cooperative Extension Office Transplant bare root roses
Prune deciduous fruit trees and grapes. Attend pruning demonstrations put on by local Rose Societies, Garden Clubs, Nurseries and the Cooperative Extension Office Transplant bare root deciduous fruit trees. Select varieties which require less than 400 hours of chilling.
Protect plants from frost damage if the temperature is projected to drop down in to the 20's for more than an hour. Prune nonnative deciduous shade trees Attend pruning demonstrations put on by local Rose Societies, Garden Clubs, Nurseries and the Cooperative Extension Office
Transplant bare root plants
Move living Christmas Trees outside to a shaded, cool location. Transplant into permanent location as soon as soil temperatures warm.
Water at least once a month unless rains provide adequate moisture.
Control weeds while they are young, tender, and their roots are manageable, or before they sprout. Be sure to remove before they set seed. Remove London Rocket and other weeds in the mustard family now to prevent large populations of False Chinch bugs in April.
Winter watering schedules should be adjusted to about 1/3 of the summer frequency for deciduous and dormant plants, but water deeply each time. Winter lawns and growing flowers may require once to twice per week watering depending on the weather.
Make plans for Arbor Day, the last friday in April.
DO NOT prune frost sensitive plants, especially if they have been damaged by frost. DO NOT over water or over fertilize winter lawns as this will encourage rapid succulent growth which is vulnerable to fungal diseases.
DO NOT water turf at night when the temperatures are coolest as this fosters the growth of fungal diseases.
DO NOT mow when turf is wet. By wounding the plant (mowing) while it is wet you increase the likelihood of fungal infection. In addition, you increase the likelihood of spreading the fungus on the tires of the mower and on your shoes
Frequently Asked Questions
Damage is Noticed on the Fruit
The stem end of citrus fruit is rotting after harvest The blossom end of Navel oranges and occasionally tangelos are rotting.
Damage is Noticed on the Leaves The needles on several branches of a pine tree are turning brown but staying attached to the tree Leaves and stems are abnormally reddish or purple
Leaves are abnormally yellow but the veins are still green
Leaves of vegetables (particularly cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc.) being eaten by slugs, snails, cabbage looper, or birds.
Damage is Noticed on the Stem or Trunk Damage is Noticed on the Roots Cultural \ Environmental Questions The needles on several branches of a pine tree are turning brown but staying attached to the tree Leaves and stems are abnormally reddish or purple
Leaves are abnormally yellow but the veins are still green
Insect/Pest Questions Leaves of vegetables (particularly cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower etc.) being eaten by snails, slugs, cabbage looper, or birds. There are lots of aphids, tiny insects, on my plants
Various beetles are emerging from firewood stored in homes, such as long-horned beetles or metallic wood borers.
- Do not be overly concerned, they can not attack the dry, finished wood of a typical home. Simply vacuum them up.
Small gray flies periodically emerge from potted plants.
Disease Questions The blossom end of Navel oranges and occasionally tangelos are rotting.
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