• Understanding Plant Names

      Chamberland, Michael (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-12)
      Having the correct name for a plant is important. A name is key to finding information about a plant from the internet or reference books. Is the plant native to Arizona? Is it toxic? Can it withstand freezing? How big can it grow?
    • Riego Con Ollas

      Nickel, Amy; Brischke, Andrew (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-10)
      La jardinería en el desierto presenta una serie de desafíos que incluyen: suelos pobres, altas temperaturas, sol intenso, poca humedad y vientos frecuentes. Todos estos factores se ven agravados por una árida a un clima semiárido con escasas precipitaciones, lo que hace riego un componente vital para cualquier jardinería exitosa empeño. El riego por goteo es ampliamente aceptado como uno de los más sistemas eficientes para regar en jardines y paisajes desérticos porque minimiza la pérdida de agua por evaporación o escorrentía entregando cantidades medidas de agua directamente al suelo (Schuch, 2016). Sin embargo, el riego por goteo puede no ser adecuado para áreas remotas con baja tecnología y/o sin presión y sistemas de agua sin filtrar. Los sistemas de goteo pueden ser costosos, dañados, y los emisores se pueden bloquear fácilmente con sedimentos, sal y varios insectos (Ezekiel et al., 2017). Poco fiable o poco práctico fuentes de agua para riego pueden desanimar a aquellos que desean desarrollar un jardín. Para estas situaciones, utilizando la antigua el método de riego con olla puede ser una opción.
    • Gardening with Children in Early Care and Education Centers and Classrooms

      Wilson, Hope; Speirs, Katherine E.; Derfus, Rhegan; Garcia, Dominique (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
      Gardens provide a hands-on learning environment for engaging young children. While they do require some planning and resources to build and maintain, incorporating gardening activities into your early childhood classroom or center can be rewarding for teachers and children. Below we provide suggestions for planning a garden, gardening activities and how to use gardening activities to promote learning and development.
    • Compostaje a pequeña escala en el bajo desierto de Arizona

      Young, Kelly Murray (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-09)
      El compost es materia orgánica descompuesta, producida por el trabajo de millones de bacterias, hongos y otras bacterias organismos presentes en el suelo. Un buen compost es de color muy oscuro, y huele dulce como la tierra del bosque. Se puede incorporar compost en el suelo del jardín o esparcido sobre la superficie del suelo como mantillo.
    • Plants for Pollinators in the low desert of Arizona

      Lesenne, Anne (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-08)
      Pollinators depend upon floral resources for their pollen and nectar. Nectar provides pollinators energy while pollen provides them proteins, nutrients, and lipids. Some pollinators depend upon one specific type of plant for their food or habitat, but most are generalists who thrive with a wide variety of plants to feed from. The goal is to have pollinator plants blooming at all times of the year. (Carroll, 2017) This is especially true for beekeepers who need to provide forage to keep their bees healthy. By providing floral resources in close proximity to apiaries the bees will be able to find nectar and pollen to maintain the health of the hive with little or no supplemental feeding by the beekeeper necessary. (Watkins de Jong, 2019)
    • Growing Herbs In Tucson

      Lesenne, Anne (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-08)
      In Southern Arizona we are fortunate to be able to grow a wide variety of herbs year-round. Unlike some parts of the country where fall signals the end of the growing season, here in the Sonoran Desert, we have two main growing seasons, a cool-growing season that last from about October through May and a warm-growing season that lasts from May through mid-September. Different herbs thrive in each season, and a few will, with a little help, happily grow all year long.
    • The Terrarium – An Oasis of Humidity for Plants

      Chamberland, Michael (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-05)
      A terrarium (plural: terraria or terrariums) is an enclosed or mostly-enclosed growing environment for plants. A terrarium encloses an environment with high humidity and moist soil. Terraria are useful in Arizona’s arid environment where the air is dry indoors and outdoors. Using terraria, it is possible to grow plants with high moisture needs without using a lot of water. This is useful for growing and exhibiting moisture-loving plants. Water-cycling, a microcosm of the Earth’s hydrologic cycle, can be demonstrated in closed terraria. The moist environment is maintained with limited water input, a real advantage in a region concerned with water conservation. Terraria can be designed as attractive displays for unusual specimens, promoting an interest in the diversity of plants.
    • Arizona Landscape Palms and their Management

      Schuch, Ursula K.; Quist, Tanya M. (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2023-04)
      Palm trees offer versatility and dramatic impact unparalleled among other desert adapted plants for low and mid elevation landscapes in Arizona. They broaden the plant palette for designers, contributing dramatic foliage, flower and fruit structures, bold shapes, diverse textures, and sizes. Palms are treasured for creating a feeling of relaxed luxury and infusing the landscape with exotic and tropical flavor. Although usually associated with iconic California landscapes, many palm species work well in Arizona when selected and managed judiciously to ensure long-term health and landscape sustainability. Palms suitable for Arizona climates need to tolerate freezing temperatures, high heat, and low humidity. This publication covers 18 palm species that can be successfully cultivated in Arizona given appropriate growing conditions. We describe how palms differ in form and growth from other trees as a result of their unique biology, considerations for using them effectively in the landscape, and cultural practices for planting, transplanting, maintaining, and controlling their pests and diseases. This content provides a basis for understanding suitability of various palm species for Arizona climate and microclimates, and the long-term commitment required to ensure performance, longevity and aesthetic contribution to a landscape.
    • Estrategias para la jardinería y la restauración con pelotas de semillas en paisajes áridos

      Gornish, Elise S. (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-12)
      Las pelotas de semillas (también conocidas como bolas de semillas o bombas de semillas) son estructuras típicamente hechas de arcilla, abono, agua y semillas (pero pueden incluir gran variedad de ingredientes como tierra, polvo de rocas, arena para gatos, granos de café, pimienta de cayena, arena, humus de lombriz y hongos micorrícicos). Estas estructuras pueden mitigar las condiciones que contribuyen a la mala restauración de las tierras áridas (Madsen et al. 2016), incluida la sequedad que exacerba el estrés por desecación de las semillas, y crea capas de tierra seca que limitan el crecimiento de las plántulas, así como la pérdida de semillas por depredación (típicamente por roedores y hormigas). Las pelotas de semillas también sirven para mejorar el contacto de las semillas con el suelo y reducir la redistribución de las semillas por el viento. En teoría, las semillas están protegidas por la estructura hasta que la lluvia elimina la arcilla que las envuelve y una pequeña bolsa de nutrientes con abono de la bola de semillas nutre a las plántulas a medida que emergen. Las pelotas de semillas son baratas y fáciles de hacer y pueden mejorar la germinación de las especies sembradas.
    • Seed ball strategies for gardening and restoration in arid landscapes

      Gornish, Elise S. (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-11)
      To overcome challenges associated with gardening and restoration in arid landscapes, many techniques have been developed, including the strategic placement of irrigation lines, the application of mulch, and the improved selection of plant species and varieties. One technique that shows particular promise across both research and practitioner groups is the use and deployment of seed balls. Seed balls (also referred to as ‘seed pellets’ or ‘seed bombs’) are structures typically made of clay, compost, water and seed (but can include a huge range of ingredients including soil, rock dust, cat litter, coffee grounds, cayenne pepper, sand, worm castings and mycorrhizal fungi). These structures can ameliorate conditions that contribute to failure in arid land restoration (Madsen et al. 2016), including dry conditions that exacerbate seed desiccation stress and create soil crusts that limit seedling establishment, as well as seed loss via predation (typically by rodents and ants). Seed balls also serve to enhance seed to soil contact and reduce seed redistribution by wind. In theory, seeds are protected in the structure until adequate rainfall removes the surrounding clay and a small pocket of nutrients from the compost component of the seed ball nourishes the seedlings as they emerge. Seed balls are cheap and easy to make and can enhance germination of seeded species (Pedrini et al. 2017).
    • Urban, Small-scale, and Beginner Farmer Needs Assessment in Arizona

      Mostafa, Ayman; La Ravia, Taylor; Harrington, Kyle (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-10)
      A needs assessment is a formal process that allows one to compare the current outcomes of a situation to the desired outcomes (Stefaniak et al., 2015). This process allows one to make constructive change for the better, focusing on closing the gaps between what a group has versus what they need (Kaufman & English, 1979).
    • Jardinería en contenedores o macetas en el desierto del suroeste

      Young, Kelly Murray (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-06)
      Usted no necesita acceso a un terreno para crear un jardín. Si se cumplen ciertas condiciones, usted puede cultivar plantas en contenedores o macetas en espacios muy pequeños.
    • Calendario de siembra de hortalizas en el condado de Maricopa

      Young, Kelly Murray; Umeda, Kai (College of Agriculture, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2022-06)
      En el condado de Maricopa se puede cultivar con éxito casi todo tipo de hortalizas y frutas si se seleccionan las variedades adecuadas y se plantan en el momento adecuado. El clima, la estación del año y las posibles plagas influyen en la selección sobre qué plantar y cuándo. En los viveros, los jardineros profesionales le pueden aconsejar sobre las distintas especies más populares de hortalizas y frutas que se adaptan adecuadamente a las condiciones del desierto.
    • Growing Adeniums in Southern Arizona

      Chamberland, Michael (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-09)
      Adeniums are popular as ornamental container plants. They combine a succulent growth habit and a wide selection of colorful flower forms. The name “desert rose” is often applied to adeniums. The name of the genus Adenium can double as a common name which avoids confusion with true roses grown in desert gardens.
    • Vermicomposting and Earthworms

      Plasse, Thom; Sparks, Elizabeth; Davey, Fiona (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-08)
      Earthworms are a crucial component of the soil food web—the symbiotic network of organisms responsible for soil health and subsequently the health of plants.7 Integrating vermicomposting (composting using earthworms) into a home garden is one of the easiest ways to harness these natural processes to create nutrient-rich soil, helping you grow a beautiful bounty!
    • Cómo Construir una Peloteadora de Semillas para Uso en Jardinería y Restauración

      Gornish, Elise; Simpson, Ashlee; Caballero-Reynolds, Marci (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-08)
      Las pelotas de semillas encapsulan las semillas en una mezcla (a menudo arcilla y materia orgánica rica en nutrientes como el abono, el humus o el carbón) que reducirá potencialmente la depredación de insectos y roedores, a la vez que facilitará una mayor retención de agua y el contacto de las semillas con la tierra.
    • Saguaro Horticulture Selecting and Planting Saguaro

      Chamberland, Michael (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-07)
      Saguaro cacti (Carnegiea gigantea) are easy to cultivate in most of southern Arizona where they are native. They are very well suited for xeriscape plantings in southern Arizona desert regions and are commonly planted in urban landscapes in Phoenix and Tucson. Saguaro can be costly to purchase and install when compared to many landscape plants. It is important to plant saguaro correctly and to provide for proper establishment to support this investment.
    • Saguaro Horticulture Habitats For Wild And Cultivated Saguaro

      Chamberland, Michael (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-07)
      The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) is an iconic symbol of Arizona and the greater American Southwest. The saguaro flower is Arizona’s State Flower. Silhouettes of saguaro appear on the standard Arizona automobile license plate. Saguaro cacti are the largest cacti in the United States, sometimes exceeding 60 feet in height and standing taller than any other plant in their native habitat. Arizona’s two largest metropolitan areas, Phoenix and Tucson, feature saguaro cacti in urban natural areas and planted landscapes.
    • Seedball Design to Optimize Germination

      Mueller, Pilar; Mendivil, Elizabeth; Jonas, Jeremy; Kline, Albert; Gornish, Elise S. (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-07)
      Successful seed-based arid land restoration is hard to achieve. Multiple challenges including infrequent precipitation, long-term drought, seed eating animals and poor soil conditions limit the effective germination of seeds and the establishment of desired plants. Seedballs (also called seed pellets and seed bombs) are emerging as a tool that directly address the limitations to restoration success in arid systems (Madsen et al. 2016).
    • Oranges for Southern Arizona

      Wright, Glenn C. (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ), 2021-07)
      Sweet oranges (Citrus x sinensis (L.) Osbeck) (Fig. 1) are the most popular citrus variety in the world and are mainly commercially harvested for juice – 75% − rather than for fresh eating − 25%. There is nothing quite like peeling and eating a fruit from one’s own orange tree on a cool winter morning in the desert or enjoying a fresh- squeezed glass of orange juice that is far better than anything one can purchase at the supermarket. Sour oranges (Citrus x aurantium) and their subspecies are most often used as ornamental trees since their fruit are not often eaten fresh due to extreme bitterness. Sour orange oil is found in perfume and its peel is the preferred ingredient in marmalade. Whether you prefer sweet oranges or sour ones, choosing the proper variety is the most important first step.