Monday, January 26, 2009

Isn't it a bit early for this?

The backyard smells heavenly - one of my Meyer lemon trees (bushes) is blooming.
The just-planted Fuji Apple tree.

Lots of tangerines.
And I'm really worried about this nectarine which is already flowering! It never even lost all its leaves. Most of the fruit trees are leafing out and producing buds. It's been exceptionally warm.
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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

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.

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, Arizona



Rainfall:


    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)

Note: Rainfall and temperatures vary widely within the valley depending upon elevation and microclimate.

To Do List . . .
Turf

    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.

Vegetables

    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

Roses

    Prune roses. Attend pruning demonstrations put on by local Rose Societies, Garden Clubs, Nurseries and the Cooperative Extension Office

    Transplant bare root roses

Fruit and Nut Trees

    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.

Landscape Plants

    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.

Don't List . . .

    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

Damage is Noticed on the Leaves Damage is Noticed on the Stem or Trunk Damage is Noticed on the Roots Cultural \ Environmental Questions Insect/Pest Questions Disease Questions