Several years ago I decided I wanted an avocado tree. Not just an ornamental avocado tree, but a producing tree. The local nurseries told me I was nuts and that I would never get avocados in Tucson. Of course, I'm the type of person that will kick a dead horse and watch for chest movement or a pulse (animal activists, please don't take my expressions literally).
I knew there was a producing avocado tree at a local Tucson resort, so naturally I called their master gardener with a host of questions. He told me what most successful gardeners will tell you (and business people, too) "location, location, location". This gardener extraordinaire was really telling me that I needed to search my site for a suitable micro climate.
The nurseries (some were the same places that said "no way" to avocados) reiterated that avocados needed full sun, ample water and nutrient rich soil. After one season, I had an avocado tree with little to no new growth, no fruit and brown, dried leaves. This was not my original goal.
Now, I don't want to discount the information received by our local professionals. And, really shame on me. The nurseries did tell me that avocados don't grow well in Tucson. I had kicked that horse and he didn't even roll over. Hello! I didn't need "Tucson" sun, "Tucson" dirt and "Tucson" water. What my plant truly craved was a climate that promoted it's successful growth. A climate, within a climate.
After extensive research, I discovered avocado trees need a porous, somewhat sandy soil. They usually seed and grow from dropped fruit. And, this fruit grows under the protection, and shade, of a larger tree. As the tree grows, it will receive filtered sun. Avocados are not salt tolerant. Tucson's water is high in sodium. So, tap water from irrigation, or the hose, instigated the brown, dry, salt burned leaves (try rainwater).
This "avocado tree exercise" has led me to evaluate my entire yard, all my growing beds and the natural topography of the land. I began watching which areas of my yard received sun, at what time of day and in which seasons. I strategically sit in these places and feel the sun's intensity.
When it rains, I watch the water to see where it flows, does it pool and why. Does my yard have areas that act like wind tunnels and would a flowering fruit plant be wiped clean by the natural elements.
I began planting specific fruits and vegetables according to the amount of wind, water and sun exposure they need. Now, sometimes this is less convenient for me, as I don't have all my herbs right outside my back door. However, my body needs and appreciates the exercise. Plus, the quantity and quality of my produce has exponentially increased.
A micro climate is the climate, within a small specific place, that is different from the climate of the area around it. I look at sharing my gardening experiences to be similar to that of a micro climate. We may be in a small specific area, different from the culture around us. However, sharing our knowledge and bounty can inspire others. As a result, we all increase our area of growth.
If we, as a culture, spend more time gardening, would we change the world?
I believe we would.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Saturday, May 15, 2010
A Gopher!
For the last four weeks, I've battled a Caddy Shack demon, otherwise known as a gopher. Now, I didn't originally know that this ruthless, plant predator was going to take up residence in my garden. At first I thought it was just a cute ground squirrel.
Day one: I lost one tomato plant, started from seed, in my windowsill this last January.
So, like any good, organic gardener, I researched non-toxic, gentle remedies to deter this little cutie from my garden. I started with vinegar. Because, doesn't vinegar work for everything, IE: the kitchen, laundry, deterring pets.
No luck. I lost two more tomato plants.
Next, I tried hot pepper and then human hair (I trimmed my bangs).
Too bad. We lost a jalapeno plant. It was sucked down from the ground, peppers and all. Only the wooden stake remained. That demonic pest!
Now, I'm really mad. This is a difficult choice. So, I do what any good gardener would do. I head down to my local hardware store. $30 later, I have myself a "Have A Heart" cage.
My first attempt was infuriating, as this little critter filled the cage with dirt, therefore blocking the trap door from closing. Rats! (I hope not). But, I'm not ready to give up.
I try the trap in a number of strategic locations, hoping for success. During this entire process, I have found myself obsessed with this portion of my yard. I'm constantly looking for evidence of ground squirrels, any moved loose dirt, holes, lost plants. I, unnecessarily visit the garden at every opportunity. I'm so consumed with guarding our food, that I've now coerced my 9 year old son into checking the trap at a moments notice.
Then, viola! I'm blessed with a cute little present. A healthy, alive and confused ground squirrel. Yahoo! I've done it. I've saved my backyard farm and will again concentrate on organic sustainability. I took the cage to a remote location, opened the door and said "goodbye and good luck". I was so relieved.
As I write this, I've needed to get up from my computer several times. You see, the culprit was not the cute little ground squirrel that I unnecessarily relocated. It's a gopher! And, it has not succumb to any of my traps and holistic remedies. How do I know it's a gopher? I saw it. Yes, sad by true. I parked my lawn chair next to a hole and waited for him. He looked me straight in the eye and that's when I knew this was going to be a showdown. Sound familiar? Are you saying the words "Caddy Shack" in your mind?
Feeling angry, I grabbed the watering hose and stuck the power sprayer down his hole. Ignoring all my rainwater harvesting training, I turned on the water, full blast. Like a hawk, I watched every square inch of the garden and it's surrounding ground. I waited for other holes to show signs of life, or water. I watched and waited and saw no activity. Well, now I kinda feel bad. But darn it, that guy was eating our produce. He had it coming, didn't he?
The next morning I checked the garden. No signs of the gopher. I must have remedied the problem, right? Wrong! We went two glorious, peaceful days, without "demon boy", but guess what? He's back. And, I must admit, it's with a vengeance.
He has now destroyed and eaten three melon plants, four squash plants and two more tomato plants.
I've removed some of the remaining plants from this bed. I've broken up what I think are all his holes and put chicken wire over approximately four feet of his primary underground entry. I was told the only way to rid myself of this pest was either an actual mole or gopher trap (an impaling torturous devise) or poison.
Hoping to avoid both suggestions, I again ran blasting water down his hole.
Where's the code of ethics! We find the battle escalating and is there a hypocrisy that surrounds this. How can we make this a fair fight with a win-win solution?
I'm searching for the answer. Any answer to a happy medium and garden void of this gopher. I just had a suggestion for Epsom salt. I'll give it a try.
And, of course, I must ask myself, if more people gardened,
would we change the world?
weirdphotos.com
Day one: I lost one tomato plant, started from seed, in my windowsill this last January.
So, like any good, organic gardener, I researched non-toxic, gentle remedies to deter this little cutie from my garden. I started with vinegar. Because, doesn't vinegar work for everything, IE: the kitchen, laundry, deterring pets.
No luck. I lost two more tomato plants.
Next, I tried hot pepper and then human hair (I trimmed my bangs).
Too bad. We lost a jalapeno plant. It was sucked down from the ground, peppers and all. Only the wooden stake remained. That demonic pest!
Now, I'm really mad. This is a difficult choice. So, I do what any good gardener would do. I head down to my local hardware store. $30 later, I have myself a "Have A Heart" cage.
My first attempt was infuriating, as this little critter filled the cage with dirt, therefore blocking the trap door from closing. Rats! (I hope not). But, I'm not ready to give up.
I try the trap in a number of strategic locations, hoping for success. During this entire process, I have found myself obsessed with this portion of my yard. I'm constantly looking for evidence of ground squirrels, any moved loose dirt, holes, lost plants. I, unnecessarily visit the garden at every opportunity. I'm so consumed with guarding our food, that I've now coerced my 9 year old son into checking the trap at a moments notice.
Then, viola! I'm blessed with a cute little present. A healthy, alive and confused ground squirrel. Yahoo! I've done it. I've saved my backyard farm and will again concentrate on organic sustainability. I took the cage to a remote location, opened the door and said "goodbye and good luck". I was so relieved.
As I write this, I've needed to get up from my computer several times. You see, the culprit was not the cute little ground squirrel that I unnecessarily relocated. It's a gopher! And, it has not succumb to any of my traps and holistic remedies. How do I know it's a gopher? I saw it. Yes, sad by true. I parked my lawn chair next to a hole and waited for him. He looked me straight in the eye and that's when I knew this was going to be a showdown. Sound familiar? Are you saying the words "Caddy Shack" in your mind?
Feeling angry, I grabbed the watering hose and stuck the power sprayer down his hole. Ignoring all my rainwater harvesting training, I turned on the water, full blast. Like a hawk, I watched every square inch of the garden and it's surrounding ground. I waited for other holes to show signs of life, or water. I watched and waited and saw no activity. Well, now I kinda feel bad. But darn it, that guy was eating our produce. He had it coming, didn't he?
The next morning I checked the garden. No signs of the gopher. I must have remedied the problem, right? Wrong! We went two glorious, peaceful days, without "demon boy", but guess what? He's back. And, I must admit, it's with a vengeance.
He has now destroyed and eaten three melon plants, four squash plants and two more tomato plants.
I've removed some of the remaining plants from this bed. I've broken up what I think are all his holes and put chicken wire over approximately four feet of his primary underground entry. I was told the only way to rid myself of this pest was either an actual mole or gopher trap (an impaling torturous devise) or poison.
Hoping to avoid both suggestions, I again ran blasting water down his hole.
Where's the code of ethics! We find the battle escalating and is there a hypocrisy that surrounds this. How can we make this a fair fight with a win-win solution?
I'm searching for the answer. Any answer to a happy medium and garden void of this gopher. I just had a suggestion for Epsom salt. I'll give it a try.
And, of course, I must ask myself, if more people gardened,
would we change the world?
weirdphotos.com
Monday, April 26, 2010
Composting
As I mentioned in my last post, composting is a wonderful way to reduce waste in the landfills and create a nutrient rich dirt. Compost can be added to soil as a valuable amendment and it helps retain moisture.
Although I've been gardening for years, I procrastinated on composting. I had this misconception that a compost pile would stink, be messy and attract rodents and pests. I also thought that there was a scientific formula for making the perfect compost mix. Now that I've experienced composting, I wish I had more piles. I will nickname myself "the greedy composter".
I traditionally keep two composting piles at a time. One pile is for immediate use and the 2nd is a work in process. There are many different types of composting. But, here's my simple and easy recipe: 50/50. That's it! 50% Brown and Dry matter and 50% Green and Moist. If I'm a little off on the recipe, no worries. My dirt is almost always yummy.
What is brown and dry? These are Carbon-Rich materials like straw, pine needles, dry grass clippings, dried leaves, sawdust and newspaper.
What's green and moist? These materials are high in nitrogen, like vegetable and fruit scraps, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds, tea bags, green plant clippings, hair and feathers.
I follow a few Never, Ever rules. Never compost meats, grease, dairy, dog and cat feces, and poisonous plants, ie: oleander, salt cedar.
An excellent composting book, worth the read, is "Let It Rot". It can be purchased on Amazon.com. Also, The Tucson Organic Gardeners at http://tucson.com/nonprofits/TOG has some exceptional information on organic gardening and composting.
When I compost I feel empowered. I know I'm reducing our household waste and making a valuable product to nourish my fruits and vegetables. I am contributing to a natural process, the circle of growth and life. If composting is part of my gardening regiment, I must ask myself ...... if more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.
Although I've been gardening for years, I procrastinated on composting. I had this misconception that a compost pile would stink, be messy and attract rodents and pests. I also thought that there was a scientific formula for making the perfect compost mix. Now that I've experienced composting, I wish I had more piles. I will nickname myself "the greedy composter".
I traditionally keep two composting piles at a time. One pile is for immediate use and the 2nd is a work in process. There are many different types of composting. But, here's my simple and easy recipe: 50/50. That's it! 50% Brown and Dry matter and 50% Green and Moist. If I'm a little off on the recipe, no worries. My dirt is almost always yummy.
What is brown and dry? These are Carbon-Rich materials like straw, pine needles, dry grass clippings, dried leaves, sawdust and newspaper.
What's green and moist? These materials are high in nitrogen, like vegetable and fruit scraps, alfalfa pellets, coffee grounds, tea bags, green plant clippings, hair and feathers.
I follow a few Never, Ever rules. Never compost meats, grease, dairy, dog and cat feces, and poisonous plants, ie: oleander, salt cedar.
An excellent composting book, worth the read, is "Let It Rot". It can be purchased on Amazon.com. Also, The Tucson Organic Gardeners at http://tucson.com/nonprofits/TOG has some exceptional information on organic gardening and composting.
When I compost I feel empowered. I know I'm reducing our household waste and making a valuable product to nourish my fruits and vegetables. I am contributing to a natural process, the circle of growth and life. If composting is part of my gardening regiment, I must ask myself ...... if more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Are growing your own vegetables or flowers, more expensive than purchasing them?
I recently had a conversation with friends about the financial commitment to gardening. We discussed the costs for seeds, dirt, containers, tools, possibly fencing. The list can go on and on. As a business, gardening has now become a multi-billion dollar industry.
I've spent years experimenting in my garden, read many books and quizzed master gardeners. It appears that most of our needed items can be relatively inexpensive. If you plan ahead and practice patience, you will probably find that many of your gardening requirements are close to or already in our home.
Seeds and plants can require a financial investment. If you grow heirloom plants, you'll be able to harvest and replant your seeds next season. Some "big box" stores are now having two-for-one sales on seeds, herbs and vegetable plants. It's a great time to stock up, but remember to read the seed packet's expiration date. Local farmer's markets sometimes buy seed in bulk and then resell smaller packets at reasonable prices.
The largest investment, by far, is our time. I don't want to put a financial value on the hours I spend in my garden. To me, gardening is an investment in my health, my family and my community. I'm becoming self sufficient, lowering my carbon footprint, reducing waste and having fun. Gardening can be a mental and physical release from our daily lives. Share the fun and share the bounty.
So..... my question is: If more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.
I've spent years experimenting in my garden, read many books and quizzed master gardeners. It appears that most of our needed items can be relatively inexpensive. If you plan ahead and practice patience, you will probably find that many of your gardening requirements are close to or already in our home.
Your initial set-up requires the most work. If it's your first year at gardening, you might want to borrow some tools, like shovels, rakes, etc. from family or friends. You can bring them fresh produce or flowers to thank them for their help. For inexpensive, used, gardening tools, try http://www.craigslist.org/. There's an entire category dedicated to farm + garden. Try shopping at hardware stores in August or visit some garage sales. You may find some great treasures.
Seeds and plants can require a financial investment. If you grow heirloom plants, you'll be able to harvest and replant your seeds next season. Some "big box" stores are now having two-for-one sales on seeds, herbs and vegetable plants. It's a great time to stock up, but remember to read the seed packet's expiration date. Local farmer's markets sometimes buy seed in bulk and then resell smaller packets at reasonable prices.
The largest investment, by far, is our time. I don't want to put a financial value on the hours I spend in my garden. To me, gardening is an investment in my health, my family and my community. I'm becoming self sufficient, lowering my carbon footprint, reducing waste and having fun. Gardening can be a mental and physical release from our daily lives. Share the fun and share the bounty.
So..... my question is: If more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.
Friday, April 9, 2010
What does "Eating Local" mean?
What does "eating local" mean? Is it eating at locally owned restaurants, shopping at farmer's markets, or grazing in your backyard? With more emphasize on where our food is grown, I find it comforting to walk through a farmer's market and know these vendors are from within 250 miles of my home. Whether it's free range chickens, grass fed beef or natural produce, I enjoy knowing the names and faces that provide fuel for my body.
I relish the publishing of a veggie's origin on a restaurant menu and I respect the owner's choice to spend a little more for quality. Am I willing to eat out less frequently for a better product and physical experience? Absolutely! One of the more effective means to show our support is with our financial choices.
Supermarket packaged foods have served a purpose of convenience. But, are these processed foods in our best interest? If you haven't yet watched it, FOOD INC is a fabulous movie based on the quality of America's food and it's origin. www.foodincmovie.com/trailer-and-phtos-phy
This movie changed my son's request for fast food. Wow! Now that's worth the rental fee.
I relish the publishing of a veggie's origin on a restaurant menu and I respect the owner's choice to spend a little more for quality. Am I willing to eat out less frequently for a better product and physical experience? Absolutely! One of the more effective means to show our support is with our financial choices.
Supermarket packaged foods have served a purpose of convenience. But, are these processed foods in our best interest? If you haven't yet watched it, FOOD INC is a fabulous movie based on the quality of America's food and it's origin. www.foodincmovie.com/trailer-and-phtos-phy
This movie changed my son's request for fast food. Wow! Now that's worth the rental fee.
We have control over our food. Our purchasing power speaks loud and clear.
So, I must ask myself...... if more people gardened, would we change the world? I believe we would.
Tucson farmer markets locations and times: www.visittucson.org/visitor choose Cullinary and then Farmers Markets
Monday, April 5, 2010
Fun with your garden
In 2008 I decided that a June Harvest Fest would be a fun dinner party. I approached my closest friends and suggested we each grow something in our garden that could be eaten or displayed at this dinner. Needless to say, the response was not as positive or enthusiastic as I had hoped. However, being an optimist, I pushed forward. I explained that we would choose recipes and then grow some of the ingredients for portions of our meal. The biggest rule was, there were no rules. If your crop failed, you could purchase the items needed. You just had to try.
The following was our planned menu:
A cucumber appetizer, with a seasoned cream cheese
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Shrimp Ceviche (tomatoes, cilantro, green onions were from the garden)
Lettuce, tomato and carrot salad
The main course was a purchased meat along with the potatoes.
Dessert..... strawberry ice cream (strawberries from the garden)
Sounds great? Hah! There were failed crops from over watering, too much heat and of course, the dreaded pets. Each family shared their humorous horror stories. I must say, this was one of the best dinner parties ever. The households with the fewest crops have now blossomed into our most successful backyard farmers. And, last fall, our party grew, not only in the number of participants, but the bounty of our harvest.
A Gardener's World is not just about growing vegetables or plants at your home. It's about creating joy in our lives and in the lives of the people that surround us. It's sustainability and control, with enthusiasm. It's being pro-active in our daily lives, while enjoying some very basic elements, like dirt, water and food. If you want a semblance of change in your life, begin here. Join me for fun, adventure and purpose in "A Gardner's World".
The following was our planned menu:
A cucumber appetizer, with a seasoned cream cheese
Tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil, with balsamic vinegar and olive oil
Shrimp Ceviche (tomatoes, cilantro, green onions were from the garden)
Lettuce, tomato and carrot salad
The main course was a purchased meat along with the potatoes.
Dessert..... strawberry ice cream (strawberries from the garden)
Sounds great? Hah! There were failed crops from over watering, too much heat and of course, the dreaded pets. Each family shared their humorous horror stories. I must say, this was one of the best dinner parties ever. The households with the fewest crops have now blossomed into our most successful backyard farmers. And, last fall, our party grew, not only in the number of participants, but the bounty of our harvest.
A Gardener's World is not just about growing vegetables or plants at your home. It's about creating joy in our lives and in the lives of the people that surround us. It's sustainability and control, with enthusiasm. It's being pro-active in our daily lives, while enjoying some very basic elements, like dirt, water and food. If you want a semblance of change in your life, begin here. Join me for fun, adventure and purpose in "A Gardner's World".
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