Happy May Day. In many parts of the world, May 1st is traditionally the beginning of the summer season. Of course, it's still really spring here in the high country - and technically the summer solstice isn't until mid-June.
Good news! May is about planting and blooms and birds and pollinators. We still have high chances of overnight frosts which can zap the life out of tender annuals, and newly planted perennials that are very young. So, it's wise to keep an eye on the forecast and keep your frost fabric handy until about May-15th or so. And, ironically, May is one of our drier and hotter months. So that means that getting your watering system going and keeping it well maintained is a priority now, as well as mulching and shade. Our sun is intense up here in the mountains - my big tip for you this month: Remember that although many plants are considered sun loving in general, that may not mean full, unfiltered sun in our climate at 5,000-6,000 feet elevation is ideal.
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When thinking about your garden and landscape, it's common to want to grow and enjoy plants that you are accustomed to. Either from where you most recently lived, or from where you grew up. We all have that nostalgia for a familiar landscape. But, one of the most frequent questions I hear from newcomers to the Prescott, AZ area is that they struggle with finding the appropriate plants that will not only grow, but thrive and become well established without a lot of fuss. One of the core refence tools for gardeners and landscape design, is known as the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones. There is also an index by Sunset Magazine, and then there are climate and heat tolerance zones as well. Lot's of different indicators that can be helpful, but for this post I am going to focus on the USDA Hardiness Zones. My advise: Know and embrace your garden zone! Keep reading for all the details.
Quick post here!...
I had an almost 100 year old cracked retaining wall along the sidewalk. So, about 3 years ago, I planted about 90 plugs - of 3 different creepers and trailing plants to mask the state of the wall. One of those was Hardy Plumbago, which has settled in nicely, and while it's gorgeous all year, it really shines in the autumn. And it is doing it's job to help us all ignore the old wall. Here's a quick little video to give you a feel. Enjoy. Thanks for checking this out. Let me know what you think! ~Miriam Looking for more?As you know, I'm fascinated with growing less common AND useful plants.
This is one of the 70-something herbs I've got going on in my little kitchen garden here in the high country of Prescott, Arizona. And, while you might not know this plant by name, I bet you are still familiar with it. I have a kitchen garden that is pretty small but very well designed with 6 large raised beds and a rock garden along a fence - all of which allows me to grow 70-something different types of herbs (along with a couple of tomatoes, and fava beans).
I keep thinking I need to put a post together with the whole list of what's growing in my tiny kitchen garden... Today I wanted to do a quick spotlight on Feverfew. I grow many different plants in my small downtown garden here in Prescott. And because of our high desert climate it can be interesting to learn what works, how to help each plant be at it's spectacular best, and at the same time make it a fun and manageable landscape.
Most of what I grow here would easily be characterized as water-wise, possibly native, cottage garden plants, and the vast majority as herbs. Some are all four, but not always. They always say: know your climate (or your zone) when planning a garden. In other words, pick plants that will have a high chance for success in your particular corner of the world. I promise this will make it more successful and infinitely more enjoyable. Those of you who are unable or unwilling to devote a lot of time and energy to your garden will thank me for introducing you to this week’s featured plant. Actually known as an herb that thrives on neglect, clary sage is a showy, fragrant, easy-to-grow favorite with abundant medicinal and herbal properties. Let's get to it... This time of year, when the abundance is fresh, I like to feature a few plants that I grow, and recommend for the Prescott high desert climate.
Most of these would easily be characterized as water-wise, possibly native, cottage garden plants, and the vast majority as herbs. Some are all four, but not always. Today, I'm featuring a lovely and tough cottage garden plant that is water-wise, and is considered an herb offering various health and well-being benefits: Monarda. And in this case it's Monarda didyma. Let's get to it... Summer is in full swing here in the high country of Northern Arizona. And, for me that means that I'm between blooms on my clematis vines. The varieties that I'm growing put out a huge flush in late spring and since I pruned the vines, they should flower again in late summer or early fall. I'm hopeful, and meanwhile I wanted to share a little bit about this wonderful plant along with images from my spring flush. |
AuthorHey there. I'm Miriam ~ and I've been doing this my whole life. It's my passion. Categories
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