General Information

by Teresa Odle

I live in New Mexico, and our average annual rainfall is less than nine inches. The high desert air dries out plants quickly, especially when temperatures reach the 90s. Watering plants and lawns is essential, although also controversial.

So the first rule of watering in dry climates is to select xeric plants for certain areas of the landscape — a  topic for another time. And no matter your average rainfall, try to choose plants that are indigenous to your region. These plants grow well in your climate and soil and should require less watering and overall care.

A watering can makes it easy to care for plants in the farthest corners of your yard.

Container plants need more watering than bedded plants. A one-gallon watering can is perfect, because it holds enough to prevent repeated trips but isn’t too heavy.  I keep one in my front yard and one in the back yard. We fill them up from the faucets to water herbs and tomatoes growing in containers and use saved rain water from our roof to water some of the container ornamentals.

Soil type also determines how often to water. Naturally, water drains more quickly from

Reduce your water usage in dry months by collecting water in a rain barrel

sandy soil than from clay.  So you may be able to go four and a half days between irrigating vegetables in clay soils, but need to water your bushes in sandy soil every day during hotter months. Heat really pulls water out of plants.

Signs of water stress include wilting, leaf rolling, color changes, burnt leaves or leaf drop. But don’t assume just because a plant looks unhealthy, it needs water. Overwatering also damages plants by rotting roots. Dig your finger into the soil; if it’s damp, your plant probably has enough water for now.

It’s best to water containers and other plants in the early evening or very early in the morning, before they become stressed.

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By Teresa Odle

Earth Day 2010 is right around the corner on April 22; it marks the 40^th anniversary of the day that celebrates the birth of the environmental movement. Just like starting a garden, the idea of saving the planet seems overwhelming. But you don’t have to organize an event or change your entire lifestyle. You can start with a square foot or so of space to grow your own food.

Back Porch ComposTumbler

If you have no yard, try a corner of your balcony. Any area that gets about six to eight hours of sunshine a day should be able to sustain a small herb or vegetable garden. Fill it with your own soil, including some compost, which you eventually can make from kitchen scraps and yard clippings.

No matter the size of your garden spot, the concept of square-foot gardening is to divide it into small squares about one foot in size and plant one crop in each square. According to the Nature Conservancy, this technique uses 90 percent less water and 95 percent fewer seeds. It’s easier to weed a smaller garden, reducing the temptation for you to spray with herbicides.

Bonide Insecticidal Soap

And remember to take a sort of medical approach to your plants, especially those you’ll eat, of “first do no harm” and preventive care. This approach also helps the environment. If you keep your plants healthy with regular appropriate watering and attention, they can better fight off diseases and pests. That’s the first step and it’s totally organic.  Next, try the least toxic method of pest control first. That’s usually the no-chemical approach, such as spraying off aphids with a stream of water or picking off squash bugs and drowning them in a bucket of soapy water. The next least toxic effect is organic pest control, such as insecticidal soap. If you use these, be sure to check the time between use and when it’s safe to harvest and eat.

After you’ve planted you garden, you can add a fruit or nut tree appropriate for your zone that will produce food for your family and maybe shade a west-facing wall, which can save a little on energy costs. Then take a walk through your neighborhood or to a local park and just enjoy being outside on the planet Earth.

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During WWII, nearly 20 million Americans planted Victory Gardens because fruits and vegetables weren’t available. Today, it’s more about using our own yards and patios to grow food for our families, sort of a return to the past and a way to save natural resources. I also grow my own food because of taste and economy.

No matter where you shop, you can’t beat the freshness of a basil or lettuce leaf picked from your own backyard and eaten within the hour. And there’s some up-front investment but once you begin harvesting, the food is free for the taking. You know where it came from and what goes into making it so good. You also have little to no waste.

If you have yard space, try a spot that has deep, well-drained soil. Your best bet is a raised bed. I like mine for a number of reasons. First, I can place it in the best spot. Ever heard of a microclimate or microenvironment? That’s a spot in your yard that gets more or less shade or wind or maybe where cold air accumulates. An example is a spot against a south-facing wall. You can expect temperatures to be higher there and the warmth to hold further into the evening. I also like my raised bed because I spend more time with my vegetables than with other plants, doing tasks like weeding, checking for insects, trellising, and harvesting, of course. Raised beds warm up faster in the spring than the ground, an advantage in most climates. Finally, I like a cover on my bed until the seedlings reach maturity. I think it helps boost the temperature and cuts down on visits from cats, dogs, birds, and at least the hopping and flying insects. Herbs work well in a raised bed or pots. I always have some rosemary and basil in pots on my front porch, close to the kitchen.

For vegetables, you want soil that’s rich in humus, or organic matter. If your ground is thawed and soft enough to work, you can start preparing the soil. Add compost and gently shovel to mix it in. Don’t apply straight manure in the spring because it doesn’t have time to break down before you plant. Of course, you can prepare your raised bed the same way, using a mixture of sand, silt and clay for the soil base.  I lay down a drip hose (they’re cheap) that’s attached to a splitter on my back faucet. Remember water needs when you plan the location.

Think about what you’ll plant before you buy your raised bed. If you’re really industrious and have the space, you might need two beds. Or you can use a combination of a raised bed, some ground for plants that start later or need to trellis up a wall, and pots for herbs, cherry tomatoes, or even edible flowers or a small lemon tree. Start thinking about the fresh foods you buy and enjoy the most and get to know your climate. Next week, we’ll talk about starting seeds and planting in rows.

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By Teresa Odle

Every gardener has questions. How many times have you struck up a conversation with a neighbor or co-worker about a gardening triumph or more likely a problem?

Gardening can be frustrating but always fun and rewarding. I didn’t pay much attention to it as a child, even though my mother was a terrific gardener. My earliest memory is that one of the flowers was called a “touch-me-not.” Mom adapted easily when we moved from the humid sea level zone of South Carolina to the hot desert of Phoenix and she and my father created their own oasis in the back yard of their new suburban home.

But it wasn’t until I settled down with an avid gardener in Albuquerque, N.M., that the bug really hit me. I wanted to learn more and attended four months of master gardener training. The program was terrific, taught by state and county cooperative extension agents who really know their stuff. I got a certificate and a T-shirt but can’t call myself a Master Gardener because I couldn’t continue with required courses and volunteer hours when I took a full-time job again.

What do you think was the greatest lesson from the training? It wasn’t the soil type or when our first and last freeze occur, although that’s helpful information. The greatest lesson is this: experience still is the best teacher. All of the courses armed me with tools but I learned more from problem-solving when residents called the hotline, from riding around with the extension agent when he made visits to peoples’ lawns and from my own time in the garden. And I still learn from my husband and my mother, who never had any training but who have more experience than me.

So come to this blog for some gardening tips and answers, but most of all, get out there and garden. Trial and error will help you master your garden.

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Don’t miss out on our Pre-Spring Excitement Sale!

Lay out your finest “get dirty” gear, dust off your shovels, and fix up those beds. It’s time to hit the gardens!

Enter the coupon code thinkspring in the coupon code box and take 15% off your order over $100.  

Take advantage soon, this deal ends when Spring starts, March 20, 2010!

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Were a Garden Watchdog Top 5 company for 2010!

Great news! As many of you may know, each company in the Garden Watchdog is categorized by their specialty. The highest rated companies in each category is then awarded with an annual “Top 5″ award, and our company has been awarded a Top 5 designation this year!

 Specializing in: “Animal Repellents (Fencing And Chemical Barriers)” and “Plants: Deer Resistant”

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The staff at MasterGardening wishes you a prosperous and fruitful New Year!!

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The staff at MasterGardening wishes you a warm and festive Christmas!!

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Our last special deal for our e-following holiday shoppers!

Take $5 off an Earthbox Ready to Grow Kit.  Everything you need to grow larger, higher quality vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers! 

Use coupon code Holiday3 at checkout!

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3 shopping days remaining for ground shipping to arrive anywhere in the continental US before Christmas.  Order by December 15^th to avoid having to expedite your gifts!

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