Newsletter High on the Desert Cochise County Master Gardener

Vol. 28, No. 3 March 2017

The University of Arizona and U.S. Department of Agriculture Cooperating

The Virtual Gardener—Bill Mollison, In Memoriam Last month I entered the University of where wrote an article in he received his degree in bio-geography. memoriam of He then joined the faculty of the university permaculturalist and taught there until 1979. author Toby While at the university he and a student, Hemenway and this David Holmgren, began sketching out a month I’m writing concept for a system of sustainable one in memoriam agriculture, a concept for which Mollison of Bill Mollison, coined the name “.” The the “father of result of this collaboration was the permaculture.” I seem to have driven into a publication of Permaculture One, a rut. But let me explain! seminal work that inspired a world-wide As I was researching Hemenway’s life I movement. (No English language editions unexpectedly discovered the obituary are available for download but a French Inside this issue: notice for another luminary of the perma- edition of the book can be downloaded Cuttings “N’ Clippings 2 culture movement—Bruce Charles “Bill” here.) The ideas in this book were expand- Mollison. Mollison died in , ed in 1988 by Mollison in his classic Register for Conference 3 Tasmania on September 24, 2016 at the Permaculture—A Designer’s Manual, My Dream Garden 3 age of 88. which is considered the definitive refer- Meet a Master Gardener 4 Bill Mollison was born in a tiny village ence today and can be downloaded from At a Glance Box 5 on the northwestern tip of Tasmania, this link. In 1997 he authored a handbook, Four-Winged Saltbush 5 Australia’s island-state that lies just off its Introduction to Permaculture, that March Reminders 6 southern coast. He described his early summarizes the Designer’s Manual and years as a dream life mostly spent hunting offers practical tips useful to home High on the Desert Registration 6 in the bush and fishing on the sea. In 1954 gardeners. Copies of Introduction to he joined the Wildlife Survey Section of Permaculture are available from the the Australian Commonwealth Science Cochise County Library System. and Industrial Research Organization When Mollison stepped down from his (CSIRO) where he first became aware of faculty position at the University of the devastation wrought on the environ- Tasmania in 1979 he was 51 years old. At ment by unbridled human development a time of life when many men are contem- and poor agricultural practices. In 1966 he (Continued on Page 2)

Cochise County Cooperative Extension www.cals.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/ 1140 N. Colombo, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 450 S. Haskell, Willcox, AZ 85643 (520) 458-8278, Ext. 2141 (520) 384-3594 P AGE 2

(Continued from page 1) vegetables in separate beds preclud- Cuttings ‘N’ plating how to spend their retirement ing beneficial interactions between Clippings years, he stepped on to the world them or place the vegetable garden in stage as an evangelist for permacul- the far corner of a yard instead of  For Cochise County Master Gar- ture. He developed and taught closer to the kitchen where its deners Association information con- training courses to certify others as produce is used? How often do we tact Valerie at: permaculturalists in Australia, the amend our soils with expensive United States, and elsewhere. In 1981 chemical fertilizers when we could [email protected] he received the Right Livelihood grow our own green manures or or the Cochise County Master Gar- Award, which is considered by some make our own compost from the deners web site at: to be the equivalent of a Nobel Prize things we discard in the trash? http://cals.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/ for honoring those who offer practical Chapter 2, Broadscale Site Design, You can also follow them on Face- and exemplary answers to the most invites the reader to carefully observe book at: urgent challenges facing us today. the resources and limitations availa- www.Facebook.com/ Permaculture, as defined by ble on a property. Although the CochiseCountyMasterGardeners Mollison and Holmgren, is a design discussion is aimed at people who philosophy to create cooperative have acquired large parcels of  The next Water Wise presentation instead of antagonistic relationships undeveloped land, the principles will be held Saturday, March 4 between humans and the natural discussed are equally applicable to from 9:00—11:30 AM at UA Sierra environment, especially in the home gardens. Too often we only Vista. Presenter Dustin Hancock, production of food. The original look at our yards and gardens in Range Monitoring Research Special- concepts focused on agriculture, but superficial ways. Mollison invites us ist, will tell you about the how, when, they were soon expanded to include to take our time and really observe and why of pruning your landscape design considerations for entire and record our observations in notes plants. He will discuss the best season communities, including their eco- or photos. Learn to ask why things to prune and techniques that will help nomic and legal aspects. are the way they are and seek the your plants thrive. Contact the Coop- The goals sound lofty and abstract causes. Learn to work with the land erative Extension at 458-8278, Ext. but the implementation is based on and not against it. Fighting nature 2141 for more information. Check out practical measures that can be put to only leads to wasted effort and the Water Wise web site for their use by ordinary home gardeners. ultimate defeat. Go with the flow. 2017 schedule at: Chapter 5, Home Garden Design, is http://waterwise.arizona.edu/ Introduction to Permaculture is perhaps Mollison’s most helpful book chock full of practical ideas for the The Cochise Chapter of the Ari- for home gardeners. vegetable gardener. Whether you are zona Native Plant Society’s next pro- Although the book contains plenty an apartment dweller with limited gram will be held Friday, March 17 of tips and techniques, I believe its space or a have a multi-acre property at 5:00 PM. They meet in the Co- greatest value is in teaching a way of in the country there is something here chise County Community Develop- thinking about relationships— for you. As throughout the book, the ment Office conference room, 4001 relationships between the living emphasis is on relationships, energy Foothills Dr. Sierra Vista. The speak- things in the garden; relationships efficiency, and effectiveness. In er will be Doug Ripley, President of between living and nonliving things addition to general tips, there are the Cochise Chaperter, and the title of in the garden; and relationships specific suggestions for gardening in his presentation is: between the gardener and the garden. different climate zones, including Ilha Formosa—Observations of the What are the relationships? How do drylands. Check it out. Natural History of Taiwan, Republic we promote cooperative relationships In this article I’ve only hinted at all of China. He will discuss Taiwan’s and suppress antagonistic ones? Here the wisdom you will find in this rich biological diversity that he and are a few of the things you will find book. I highly recommend you his wife encoun- in the book. obtain a copy and take a look at it. tered during a two- The first chapter, Permaculture And if you would like to learn even week trip in the Principles, discusses basic garden more about permaculture, there are spring of 2016. For design considerations such as placing dozens (if not hundreds) of YouTube more information, elements where they are mutually videos featuring Mollison expound- follow AZ Native supporting and minimizing the ing on various permaculture topics. Plant Society on amount of energy required to Until next time, happy surfing! their web site:

maintain them. For example, how Gary Gruenhagen, Master Gardener http://www.aznps.com/chapters/ often do we plant each of our [email protected] cochise/cochise.htm P AGE 3 2017 High Desert My Dream Garden Gardening & Landscaping Conference Registration When winter gets me down, and The Canna Lily (Cannaceae) is the skies are gloomy over the moun- another tuber and gives your sum- Still Open! tains, I start to think about my Dream mer flower garden a decidedly Garden. My Dream Garden would be tropical feel. Planted up against a Registration for the 2017 High full of bulbs, rhizomes, and tubers. fence or wall, its lush foliage and Desert Gardening & Landscaping They would start blooming just about flowers will set the stage for all Conference is still open through now. The early Snow Iris (Iridaceae) your other flowers. Plant Cannas March 6. and the Daffodils (Amaryllidaceae) after the last frost for a summer The Conference, sponsored by would be poking their heads up and show. the Cochise County Master Gar- bringing a smile to my face. Then, Gladiolus (Iridaceae) are not deners and the UA Cochise County next would come the larger Bearded actually bulbs or tubers, but Cooperative Extension, will be Iris in their outrageous color combi- corms. They are superb cut flow- held in the Student Union Building nations. The perennial Agapanthus, ers and pair nicely with Delphini- on the Cochise College Sierra Vista another Amaryllidaceae, would need ums, Daisies, and Phlox in the campus, adjacent to our UA Sierra just a bit of TLC, but not too much, garden. The best-known Gladio- Vista Campus. just cleaning up the yellow leaves lus with the widest color range is We have five keynote general before the blue-purple flowers would known simply as Garden Gladio- sessions, five hands-on workshops, hover over the pathway. The Allium lus. They will bloom from spring and nine breakout sessions featur- (Liliaceae) would follow along be- to fall. Plant with lower annuals ing a wide variety of great speakers hind in late spring with its own pur- or behind mounding plants that and topics. We also have a ple fireworks. And all this would cover the lower stems in shade. If Wednesday evening pre-conference happen without me lifting a finger. you plant Gladiolus successively get-together at Native Wings in I love bulbs and tubers! I love the every 2 weeks, you will have Sierra Vista for which you can also way you just have to plant a few at beautiful bouquets all summer. register online. first, and they will multiply on their Of course, there are the multi- To review the agenda and regis- own, year after year without any help tudes of Lilies available. Al- ter, please go to cals.arizona.edu/ from you! I love the way bulbs are though not a low-water plant, the cochise/mg/high-desert-conference the closest thing to immediate gratifi- Lily (Liliaceae) is nonetheless a Or, you can call 520-458-8278, ext. cation you can get in a garden. I am lovely bulb to grow. The Asiatic 2141. not a patient person. Yes, I know that hybrids are the easiest to tend and Registration for either one or two patience is a virtue, but some things do well in filtered shade. Tiger days includes breakfast, lunch, and just take too darn long! Lilies are taller and showier with access to all workshops and ses- I already started on my Dream Gar- their pendulous orange flowers sions. Don’t miss this great, once-a den last November and December spotted black. Once again, they -year opportunity to hear wonderful with the flowers I just mentioned. will reward you with flowers year speakers on a variety of relevant But that’s just my spring blooming after year. I love that! I have a topics, find motivation for your Dream Garden. Now I feel I must special area for my more water- gardening interests, and network start on my summer Dream Garden. loving plants. It is small, but lux- with fellow gardeners! Luckily, now is just the right time to urious.

Jan Groth, Master Gardener Program plant some bulbs and tubers for sum- So now that I have started think- Coordinator mer bloom! ing about my summer Dream Gar- The summer flowers in these fami- den, I feel energized, and eager to lies are the show-stoppers in the plant some bulbs and tubers! But flower garden. Of course, there is my don’t get me started on my favor- favorite, the Dahlia (Asteraceae). ite perennials! That’s a whole oth- The Dahlia has numerous flower er story!

forms from formal to pompom to Kris Williams, RPh, wild cactus formations, and in all Master Gardener Cochise County Master colors of the rainbow except true Gardener Newsletter Editor blue. It ranges from 1 foot to 6 feet Carolyn Gruenhagen tall and blooms extravagantly all summer. P AGE 4 Meet a Master Gardener Deborah Hargrove, a graduate of ed 2 years of cruel abandonment across a bed, while fitting their legs the shining Master Gardener class with waist-high weeds and a profu- under the bed as if sitting at a table. of 2016 and a graduate of the Be- sion of “cancer trees.” Deborah and They built the raised bed at their ginning Farmer’s Course offered Dave did some heavy cleaning and home and delivered it to the Dis- by the Cooperative Extension, is built 13 raised beds – yes, 13, and covery Gardens. A few days later, one of our star Master Gardeners. filled them with Tank’s compost we entertained a group of folks for She has given generously of her and garden soil mix. Deborah start- a tour of the Gardens. This group skills, her time, and her talents to ed a variety of seeds in an old tool included a gentleman in a wheel- benefit our program. Not only does shed for protection, and 6 weeks chair. We asked him to be our first she work hard on multiple projects later began planting and nurturing test gardener for the bed and simu- like the High Desert Gardening & the 13 beds. late how he would approach and Landscaping Conference and our Well, she obviously adapted beau- utilize this special raised bed. He Discovery Gardens, but she has tifully to our High Desert garden- very studiously pulled up to each also enlisted the help of her talent- ing! She produced enough harvest side of the bed and successfully fit ed husband, Dave. Together, they for 55 quarts of tomato sauce, 50 beneath. But when we asked him to produced a beautiful, special raised quarts of pickles, numerous gallon reach into and across the bed, we bed for the Discovery Gardens. bags of green beans and carrots for discovered that the side walls But, we’ll get to that in a moment. the freezer, endless jars of dried might be a bit high for a shorter Dave is a master mechanic, mas- herbs, and countless eating cucum- person to comfortably maneuver. ter fabricator, and master welder bers, squash, melons . . . the list Without blinking an eye, Debo- who successfully owned and oper- goes on. Shall we say Deborah did rah and Dave picked up the bed, ated Super Car Center in Tucson very well for her first year here?!! retuned it to their workshop, and for 28 years. He dabbles in multi- During a planning meeting for the shaved 2 inches off the sides in a ple hobbies and Deborah describes Discovery Gardens, we identified pattern that gave the bed a new, Dave as “a real-life MacGyver who that one of the concepts we wanted “Santa Fe” type architectural look. could take a tube of toothpaste, to display was a provision for handi- It’s gorgeous. They then delivered some wire, and a screwdriver and capped gardening. Deborah immedi- the lovingly created, wheelchair build a beautiful rocket to the ately spoke up with her positive accessible raised bed to the Discov- moon.” Nice compliment! smile and stated, “Dave and I can do ery Gardens where it will be paint- Deborah is a super-passionate that!” They built a very special ed, planted with veggies and flow- vegetable gardener with many raised bed made for wheelchair ac- ers, and on display for Spring! years of diverse, successful garden- cessibility which will be set up and Many grateful thanks to Deborah ing to her credit, all filled with a planted with vegetables and flowers and Dave Hargrove! variety of challenges and success- as a demonstration to help inspire Jan Groth, Master Gardener Program es. During her earlier years in Cali- wheelchair-bound folks to be out- Coordinator fornia, she practiced Square Foot doors and garden. This specially Gardening, carefully calculating designed bed provides the ability for and planning each square inch of someone in a wheelchair to reach her bountiful garden there. She and more easily and effectively dig then moved to Tucson and adapted in soil, plant to the unique demands of garden- seeds and plants, ing in the Tucson desert for 28 and harvest them. years. Deborah finished her career Deborah and with the Postal Service by moving Dave researched to Colorado for 5 years where she the specifications was determined to overcome the for height, width, challenges of gardening at 7,400 and depth of a feet. After that, retirement for Deb- raised bed which orah and a new job for Dave would allow for a brought them to Sierra Vista. person in a They bought property in Here- wheelchair to ford where old garden spots reflect- reach into and P AGE 5

Glance and cattle browse on saltbush, and the seeds are scarified by passage At a Glance Box through cattle, promoting germi- It’s a Bloomin’ Cochise County Native Plant of the Month nation. Saltbush is now classified in the Plant: Four-winged Saltbush, Atriplex canescens Amaranthaceae family, along Description: Perennial shrub with spinach, Swiss chard, and Blooms: Nondescript, but fruits have wings beets. Southwestern Native Amer- Use: Excellent Xeriscape plant ican tribes ground the leaves and Culture: Full sun, low water, well-drained soil that can be salty seeds of A. canescens to make a Learn more: Cochise County Herbarium, www.cochisecountyherbarium.org meal rich in niacin. Navajos For an in-depth article, see below. boiled the leaves and twigs with alum to make a yellow dye. Zunis used crushed male flowers mixed with water as soap and a balm for Four-winged Saltbush, Atriplex canescens ant stings. Old Salts Do Well with Little Water Photo: Ginny Bealer Nothing much is blooming now, cious, its range of habitats includes so let’s consider a plant that looks desert scrub at 2,500’ and pinyon- about the same all year, never has juniper woodland at 8,000’ elevations showy flowers because it’s wind in California north to Washington, pollinated, but is a good xeriscape east to North Dakota and south into plant, attracts beneficial insects and Mexico. White scales on the narrow, thrives on salty soil in full sun. In typically one-inch long leaves help it good monsoon years, it bears lots conserve water. Accumulating salt in of fluffy fruits with wings that help structures in its leaves helps it absorb the seeds tumble on the wind to water from salty soils, enabling it to Described as “the most widely new places to germinate, in addi- thrive even in alkali sinks. Suscepti- distributed native woody species tion to traveling on animals or be- ble to root rot, four-winged saltbush in North America,” four-winged ing swept away by summer floods. does poorly when water is plentiful. saltbush is being used in dry Four-winged Saltbush, Atriplex This species can live over 100 years, rangelands around the world as canescens, is a grey-green shrub as documented by photo records. forage for domestic animals. Once that loses its leaves only under the Saltbush is consumed by grasshop- established, saltbush’s extensive driest conditions. Usually dioe- pers, geometrid moth caterpillars, root system serves to control ero- rabbits, deer, and pronghorn. It also sion. Because of its tolerance for attracts brown and green lacewings high salinity, low rainfall, and a which lay their eggs on it, where their wide range of temperatures, the larvae will find aphids, mites, and species has become naturalized in other insects’ eggs to eat. Ladybugs deserts worldwide. Seedlings have also favor the saltbush for egg laying, a high germination rate in dis- and the plant is targeted by hoverflies turbed deserts. Since this species as a source of aphids and mealybugs. is slow to ignite in fires, fires may Quail, doves, towhees, and finches select for its dominance where Photo: Ginny Bealer are said to eat saltbush seeds. Sheep they occur frequently. (Continued on page 6) Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jeffrey C. Silvertooth, Associate Dean & Director, Economic Development & Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its programs and activities. The information given herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Cooperative Extension is implied. Any products, services, or organizations that are mentioned, shown, or indirectly implied in this publication do not imply endorsement by the University of Arizona. P AGE 6

www.cals.arizona.edu/cochise/mg/

(Continued from page 5) Two species of saltbush are rec- ommended for gardens in our cli- mate zone in Sunset Western Gar- den Book. Atriplex confertifolia has shorter, broader leaves than A. canescens and its fruits have no or two wings. Its branches are spiny. Where the two species are found together, hybridization can occur.

Saltbush seedlings don’t trans- plant well, so you’re not likely to find them in a plant nursery, but Photo: Ginny Bealer the seeds germinate easily if col-  Prune roses lected from late summer to early  Start seeds indoors winter and are planted within 6  Check cactus for fungus years. Best rates of success result mer, and many are still on the  Plant cool-season veggies from removing the fruit’s wings female plants, so if you want to  Reconsider your water usage and breaking open the shell con- add this native species to your  (Call Water Wise for a free au- taining the seeds to separate them. garden or yard, it’s not too late dit—520-458-8278, Ext 2139) They should be covered, but by no to try.  Remove and replace winter mulches more than an inch of soil. We had Virginia Bealer, Guest Author a bumper crop of seeds last sum- Herbarium volunteer