Louise Grabell, Pinal County Master Gardener Outdoor gardening is over. Rest for the weary is not a bad thing. However, it is time to spruce up your home for the holidays. Everyone loves to decorate with those gorgeous poinsettias and I must admit the big box stores have been offering magnificent specimens. However, if you…
I hate catclaw vines! I know “hate” is a strong word, especially towards a plant. But I do hate catclaw and let me count the ways. For those of you unfamiliar with this plant, catclaw [Macfadyena unguis-cati] is a perennial woody vine that blooms in the spring with gorgeous yellow trumpet-shaped flowers. Well, that’s all…
Louise Grabell Ants, ants, ants in your pants! Have you ever found a trail of very busy ants scurrying across your patio from one location clear across your yard to another? I’ve found ant highways going around the pool, across the patio, up into the garden and over the wall into the common area. In…
Pinal County Master Gardner Louise Grabell I’ve been looking at all the palms around our area and thought you might like to learn more about them. I did some research for a past lecture, so I think I can give you some education about palms and maybe help those of you who are thinking about…
Louise Grabell, Pinal County Master Gardener Strange things are happening [remember that line…Red Buttons]. It’s so darn hot outside that I decided to tell you about some strange things…as gardening goes…that you might enjoy over a cool glass of iced tea inside your cool house. Before I begin, a few garden reminders for this monsoon…
Louise Grabell, Pinal County Master Gardener There is a wonderful, care-free and attractive plant I’d like to tell you about. There is a story behind my love of this landscaping beauty that I need to share with you first. You know it is always a good idea to have different shapes, colors and textures…
Louise Grabell Everyone can grow tomatoes! One plant is all you’ll need to harvest plenty of delicious “fruit” to enjoy in early summer. Growing tomatoes in the high desert of southern Arizona is a bit different from other places. Since I grow my tomatoes in a container, the following will explain how to do…
Louise Grabell, Pinal County Master Gardener Summer’s heat is long gone, so let’s talk irrigation for the winter months ahead. This is the time of year when you can save on your monthly water bills. As the weather gets cooler and many trees and shrubs enter a period of winter dormancy, you should be reducing…
Louise Grabell When I arrived in SaddleBrooke 12 years ago (wow—12 years already!) we were taken on a tour. Being an avid gardener from back east, I was enthralled with the desert landscape but I couldn’t quite understand why such a beautiful community would keep barren, apparently dead plants in the ground all around the…