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High Desert Gardening

Surprises in The Garden

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read852 views

The Wind has calmed down, at least for today and we focused our energy on ridding the yard of weeds. We spent part of the afternoon in the backyard, finishing up some projects, starting new ones and tending to the plants. Our little helpers pitched in as much as they could, which was awesome.

I noticed a couple of flowering plants here and there including some California Poppies. The ones I received from a neighbor last year reseeded so much that I am finding them growing all over my property. I am not fond of having things popping all over the place, so I have been busy relocating most of them to create a neat garden. A few are blooming with orange and golden yellow flowers. I love their silky texture.

California Poppy Flower.
California Poppy Flower.
California Poppy Flower.
California Poppy Flower.

While walking around in the yard, I spotted what seem to be either a young growing Almond tree or a young growing Apricot tree, still at its early stage of growth. In a few months, I will know for sure which tree it is since the sprouts of both are somewhat similar. I am guessing that the seeds were buried last year by Squirrels and now that they are sprouting the threat to their survival include rabbits and the same Squirrels, which may return to collect the seeds. We dug out the young plant, placed chicken wire at the base to protect the roots and we also enclosed the young plant with chicken wire to keep squirrels from getting to the plant.

Young Growing Tree.
Young Growing Tree.

I was also pleasantly surprised to see that a broken root from a Rosebush I relocated early this year has emerged from the dirt with healthy new growth. I simply pulled out the loose root and buried it in the dirt – it reminds me of hope, new beginnings and strengthens my belief in the idea that nothing is really lost in the World.

Rosebush started from Roots.
Rosebush started from Roots.

Unbeknownst to us, one of our wonderful neighbors has been sick. My husband and I decided to do something for them, which is to rid their entire front yard of weeds; a process we started late this afternoon. We are glad we can assist them in such a time of need and we wish them a speedy recovery as we miss seeing them around.

It’s been a week rich in emotions and today was a good day.

High Desert Windy Days

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read543 views

Windy days have returned in the High Desert and thankfully for us, we are done with our Spring cleanup.
This afternoon we accomplished so much in the backyard. We planted and transplanted a few plants. We started weeding all over again since more weeds are actively and rapidly growing from the last rainfall.

I was delighted on Friday morning as I captured the moon as it was still up in the clear blue sky.
Click here to learn more about this occurrence.

Moon in Daylight.
Moon in Daylight.

I am loving the beautiful sight of our High Desert Mountains. From my backyard these mountains are southeast of us as opposed to the snowy mountains which are southwest. The view is lovely whichever way you look.

High Desert Mountains.
High Desert Mountains.

The first Tree Rose in the backyard to bloom.

Busy Bee Pollinating.
Busy Bee Pollinating.
Tree Rose.
Tree Rose.

The Dwarf Cup Flower are starting to produce beautiful purple, cup-shaped flowers.

Dwarf Cup Flower (Nierembergia Caerulea 'Purple Robe').
Dwarf Cup Flower (Nierembergia Caerulea ‘Purple Robe’).

Coleonema Pulchrum “Pink Breath of Heaven” bursting with beautiful tiny pale pink flowers and fragrant leaves.

Coleonema Pulchrum (Pink Breath of Heaven).
Coleonema Pulchrum (Pink Breath of Heaven).

Three years ago I purchased a Saucer Magnolia tree from Lowe’s, which I found in the plants clearance area. It flowered the following year and hasn’t since then. On Friday we relocated it to the backyard and it’s leafing out. I am confident that it was the right move to help the plant thrive and I am looking forward to see some gorgeous blooms in the up coming days, hopefully.

We finally parted with the huge bare root Ocotillo we’ve had for three years. It never rooted.

Happy Spring Gardening!

New Season of Regrowth

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read848 views

It’s the first day of Spring and a lovely day. I took pictures of a few lovelies blooming in the garden this morning. Some Freesias, which are said to symbolize innocence and friendship.

According to Teleflora.com, the 7th Wedding Anniversary Flower, Freesia, is a symbol of trust and fidelity. Freesia is an antidote to the proverbial saying that the seventh year of marriage provokes restlessness. Representing faithfulness through the seasons, it’s a traditional reminder of love’s honorable character.

White Freesia.
White Freesia.
White Freesia.
White Freesia.
Red Freesia.
Red Freesia.

A lovely lone Purple Tulip amongst Freesias.

Purple Tulip.
Purple Tulip.

The Purple-Leaf Cherry Plum is blooming with beautiful delicate scented light pink flowers.

Purpleleaf Cherry Plum.
Purple-Leaf Cherry Plum.

The Martini Tea Trees are starting to produce reddish-pink flowers.

Martini Tea Tree.
Martini Tea Tree.

For about a minute, I watched a pair of Crows perched on a wire share a moment of tenderness.

Crows in Love.
Crows in Love.

This first day of Spring wouldn’t have been complete without the sound of the Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker drilling holes in a utility pole. Click here or here to learn more about this bird.

Female Nuttall's Woodpecker.
Female Nuttall’s Woodpecker.

A White-Lined Sphinx Moth resting on a wood fence panel.

White-Lined Sphinx Moth.
White-Lined Sphinx Moth.

“It’s Spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
― Mark Twain

From my Garden to yours: Happy Spring and Gardening!

Fighting Plant Pests

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read510 views

Today in the backyard garden, I was a little sadden to find out that one of my Stella D’Oro Daylily wasn’t thriving as the rest and I knew the soil was infested with a bunch of Cutworms since I made a similar unpleasant discovery on another Stella D’Oro Daylily last month when I noticed that the leaves were getting eaten by something. The moth larvae hide under the soil during the day and come out in the dark to feed on the plant leaves.

I sprinkled GardenTech Sevin at the base of the plant and then I deeply watered it. The product label states that it can be used on vegetables, fruits, flowers, shrubs and lawns up until harvest and it kills 65 varieties of insect pests. There is about a three weeks gap between the before and after picture below and I now have a healthy plant.

Reviving Stella D’Oro Daylily.
Reviving Stella D’Oro Daylily.

I have seen ants fighting others ants, but I had never seen ants fighting their queen before this morning.
According to the article Queen Ant Will Sacrifice Colony to Retain Throne written by Jeanna Bryner it looks like this ant colony had more than one queen and the worker ants are attempting to eliminate this queen. The article states that soon after the young workers hatch, the little ones begin to slaughter surplus queens until only one remains, but occasionally they are so revved up that they kill all the queens.

Ants fighting a Queen.
Ants fighting a Queen.

Happy Gardening!

Backyard Uninvited Guests

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read413 views

Since the rain passed more critters are coming out from their hidings.

I am not sure how the little Cottontail Rabbit got into my backyard and I was surprised to see it. I guessed it came from the neighbors, making its way through an opening between the wooden fence panels and ended up in our backyard. It was fun watching it run around in search for a way out when it realized I wasn’t going anywhere. I saw it a few minutes later on the empty property lot behind our Home.

Seeing that Rabbit explained the damages on my Pretty Woman Daylilies as well as the Siloam David Kirchhoff Daylilies in the front garden. I wrapped some chicken wire around the plants to prevent further damages.

 Bunny.
Cottontail Rabbit in the Backyard.

My husband set a Macabee Gopher Trap yesterday after finding a couple of freshly dug holes in the backyard. Sure enough we found a trapped Pocket Gopher the following day, making it the second in less than a month.

Gopher Trapped.
Gopher Trapped.

It is impossible to completely rid the garden of pests and animals. Placing Chicken wire at the base of plants and around them help minimize damages and give the gardener some peace of mind. Though there are pests and animals repellents out there, we must never forget that a hungry animal will risk anything to feed.