DesertStrawHouse

May Newsletter

Nursery Hours: DesertStrawHouse Native Plant Nursery is closed for the summer. We will open back up in the fall!

What's Happening at DesertStraw House

What we are doing this summer: Keep an eye out for new additions to the plant list and improvements on the website.

Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for supporting our passion for native and sustainable gardening. Your dedication fuels our mission to cultivate thriving ecosystems and promote environmental stewardship.

See you in October! Lisha 🌱🌵

For years, the notion that we should begin planting in October and wrap up by March puzzled me. With the allure of "Spring Planting!" campaigns saturating the media and stores, and the beautiful weather outside, why the advice against planting? Let's delve into the rationale behind our designated planting season.

Whether we're discussing vegetable gardening, desert-adapted landscapes, or native plants, our planting season begins in October and extends through March. Beginning in fall allows our plants a solid 9-month window to establish themselves before the scorching summer temperatures arrive. As we've discussed in previous newsletters, the initial year is pivotal for a plant's establishment, laying the groundwork for its future growth. Fall temperatures offer an ideal climate: warm days, which may still peak at 100 degrees, coupled with cool nights. With the shifting sun angle and shorter days, even on exceptionally hot days, the heat doesn't stay around as long. This creates optimal conditions for seed germination in warm soil and prevents seedlings from being battered by strong winds. Moreover, plants purchased from stores benefit from warm soil for root growth and a temperate transition into their new home. Remarkably, up to 80% of yearly root growth occurs in the fall, when days are shorter and temperatures milder.

The later we plant in the year, the more water and care are required to ensure survival through the summer. Research indicates we need at least 6-8 weeks before consistently facing 100-degree temperatures. Beyond this threshold, a plant's ability to endure the summer diminishes significantly.

Now, circling back to this year, we had some seriously chilly days stretching into March and April. So, why can't we still plant when the weather seems pleasant? The answer lies in recognizing that a cool spring doesn't guarantee a cooler summer or delayed extreme temperatures. We rely on historical data, not some magical crystal ball to tell us when the heat's coming. Considering that plants require a minimum of 6-8 weeks to establish, it makes sense to halt planting around the end of March. This doesn't imply our gardens won't thrive - in fact, mine looks its best at this time of year. It just means we should hold off on planting, or if we must plant, be diligent in our irrigation practices.

WHAT TO DO IN THE GARDEN THIS MONTH

May is a stunning time of year in our desert gardens! Native plants in our landscapes are flourishing! The weather is warm, but we usually haven't reached the consistently scorching temperatures yet. While we're no longer in our planting season, there's still an opportunity to tackle minor yard projects before the full force of summer heat arrives. Additionally, this is an ideal time to venture into the higher elevations and foothills. The foothills tend to be a bit cooler, prolonging their blooms, while the higher elevations are beginning their summer bloom.

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Topics covered: Planting, Pruning, Flowering, Vegetables, Irrigation, Pests, Weeds, and Fertilizer

May in Your Desert Garden

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