Newsletter High on the Desert Cochise County Master Gardener

Vol. 22, No. 10 October 2011

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

The Virtual Gardener—Fall Gardening In May of 2003 (reprinted in May soften the soil and provide extra 2009) I wrote a tongue-in-cheek moisture to the newly installed tree. article about a mythical hormone Loosen the soil in an area 4-5 times that causes gardeners to go into a the diameter of the root ball. Do not planting frenzy in the spring. Further dig the planting hole deeper than the research has shown that for many height of the root ball to keep the gardeners the effects of this hormone tree from subsiding as it grows and are synchronized with the equinoxes, gets heavier. And make sure the hole peaking with the vernal equinox and has good drainage. Further informa- reaching a minimum with the tion about tree-planting can be found autumnal equinox. This is a shame in this article by Jeff Schalau, Inside this issue: because fall is a great time to , University of Arizona Cooperative especially in the high desert. Extension Agent for Yavapai Cuttings ‘N’ Clippings 2 According to the Arizona Commu- County. October Reminders 2 nity Tree Council, fall is absolutely If planting trees is not your thing, Cool Weather is Coming 3 the best time to plant trees in how about a vegetable garden? After Just a Thought 3 Arizona. Air temperatures are cooler all there is more to vegetable In a Desert Garden 4 (especially at night), relieving heat gardening than hot weather crops October Plant Sales 4 stress on newly installed trees, but like tomatoes and zucchini, espe- Small Acreage Land Class 4 soil temperatures remain warm and cially in sunny Arizona. According Agent’s Observations 6 encourage root growth. In addition, an observation by Area Horticulture the soil still retains moisture from Educator/Agent, Robert Call, with the summer rains, but the tree the exception of peas, cool season requires less water because of the vegetable crops are those that do not shorter days and cooler tempera- produce fruits. That means leafy tures. vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, When planting trees, keep Tipton’s and lettuce; whose edible rules1 in mind. Water the planting parts grow underground such as site a day or two ahead of time to (Continued on page 2)

Cochise County Cooperative Extension www.ag.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) number of cool season annuals carrots, , , turnips, that will do well here in the Cuttings and other non-fruiting vegetables winter. A few years ago I wrote such as broccoli. Peas may also an article about pansies (Viola ‘N’ be planted in the fall. But the sp.), one of my favorite winter great variety of cool season crops flowers. Although not as big as Clippings is not the only advantage of a some other flowers, they come in winter vegetable garden. There many different colors and add a T The next CCMGA meeting is are other advantages as well. splash of interest to the other- 5:00 p.m. in the Public Meeting One of the major advantages for wise drab winter landscape. me is the sheer pleasure of They even survive after the room of UAS, Thursday, October working outside when the leaves and flowers have frozen 6. Dr. Cecile Lumer, Curator of the Cochise County Herbarium located humidity is down and the tem- solid overnight. Another favorite in the PSC on the University of peratures are cooler—for those of of mine is the Iceland poppy Arizona South Campus, will dis- us who wear glasses, there is (Papaver nudicaule), a native of cuss her research in Chiapas, Mex- nothing more frustrating than northern latitudes in Europe. The ico, in the mountains bordering having to stop work every few flowers are large and colorful, Guatemala. This was a pollination minutes in the summer to clean and best of all, they appear when study and birds are the pollinators. the drips of sweat off our glasses. the weather gets cold. Dr Lumer tells us the research con- In addition, many of our insect For more winter flower tains some remarkable surprises. pests will have succumbed and suggestions, check out the article So you won’t want to miss this the diseases they vector will have on winter flowers for Arizona at talk. On top of that, we know from disappeared. Summer weeds will the InfoBarrel.com. past talks, Dr. Lumer’s slides are disappear and be replaced by a beautiful. new set, but they won’t grow as Until next time, happy surfing

rankly and quickly. And finally, T Saturday, October 1 from you will get more bang for your Gary A. Gruenhagen, Master Gardener 9:00—11:30 a.m. at the UAS Pub- bucks for water. The cooler [email protected] lic Meeting Room the FREE Water temperatures mean that soils will 1 Wise workshop is Trees— stay moister longer and plants Dr. Jimmy Tipton, University of Arizona plant researcher. Selection, Planting, and Care. The won’t transpire as much water as presenter will be Carmen Miller, a in the summer. You can find a IAS Certified Arborist. Choosing really great article on winter good tree stock and digging a mil- gardening in the high desert on lion dollar hole in the right place the National Gardening Associa- can give you a blue-ribbon tree for tion website. years to come. For information call OK, so you’re not interested in Joyce at 458-8278, Ext. 2141 or planting trees and you don’t want a vegetable garden. What’s left? email [email protected] How about flowers? There are a October T The Arizona Highlands Gar- den Conference 2011 will be held Reminders October 22 in Prescott. General

{ Be ready for the first frost information, registration informa- tion, trifold brochure, preconfer- { Thin seedlings { Overseed lawns ence activities, and other details Robert E. Call are available at: Area Horticulture Educator/Agent { Plant spring bulbs { Divide perennials http://ag.arizona.edu/yavapai/ah Carolyn Gruenhagen gc/ Editor { Don’t let weeds go to seed P AGE 3 Cool Weather is Coming—Amen! When we first moved to Sierra In a climate like ours, it’s pretty There’s a frost protection bulle- Vista from Mesa in mid-2007, I rare that the daytime temperatures tin by the U of A Cooperative Ex- was amused at the locals who won’t warm into the 40°F-plus tension that addresses frost protec- thought that temperatures in the range at least, and usually we get tion in much more detail at: 90°F—95°F range were uncomfort- much warmer than that. So, unlike http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/gard able. Hey, just try 110°F for weeks those poor Northerners who can go en/az1002.pdf) Check it out—it’s on end, then you’ll know what hot days, even weeks, without so much an informative read. really is. I worked outdoors a good as an hour spent above freezing, As for “thin” and “thick” blood, part of the day that Sky Harbor Air- our soils typically get rewarmed that’s just a myth. Blood viscosity port in Phoenix recorded its all- everyday. Moist soil will hold in the human body doesn’t change time high temperature of 122°F. more heat than dry soil. The idea with outdoor temperature, al- That’s hot, and it didn’t help that it then, is to cover your plants a bit though there is some evidence that was a dry heat! Well, four short before the sun goes down and the people who live at very high alti- years later and I’m now a local who temperature starts dropping. As tudes do have “thicker” blood thinks our summers are sometimes you cover the plant, cover as much since they have more red cells (the uncomfortably hot—how quickly soil around it as you can—that will oxygen carrier in blood) to com- the blood “thickens.” maximize the heat you trap. For pensate for the thinner (reduced At any rate, I’m very glad that instance, let’s say you’re covering oxygen) environment. Thicker October is coming, bringing with it a small shrub. Drape the cloth over blood or not, I’ll now admit that cooler weather and the possibility the top of the shrub, then spread it it’s darn hot & muggy here in the of our first frost or freeze of the out to form as wide a “tepee” as summer. In fact, I believe it’s time year. While many Octobers don’t practical. Don’t bunch the bottom to swap out the evaporative cooler have sub-freezing days (that honor of the cloth around the trunk at the for an air conditioner...and be is more often reserved for Novem- base of the shrub because you’ll thankful I’m not a North Dakotan! ber and, some years, even Decem- trap virtually no heat that way. Do ber), it is nonetheless possible to secure the bottom of the cloth to Bill Schulze, Master Gardener get pretty chilly on an October the ground well. It’s my under- [email protected] morning, so be prepared for it. standing that we can sometimes get Most folks know covering plants a stiff breeze in these parts... with an old sheet or such on a Once the morning temperatures chilly night is a good idea, but get above freezing, uncover your Just a some don’t understand the science plants to allow the sun to directly behind this idea. The basic concept warm the soil. Even on a cloudy thought... of covering a plant on a chilly night day, the sun will do some warm- from a is to help conserve, or trap, the heat ing. If extra cold temperatures or that is in the soil around the extended sub-freezing times are reader plant(s). Of course, if the tempera- expected, you can boost your ture stays low enough for a long plant’s odds of survival by placing Within a year, all of us who enough period of time, the trapped an incandescent trouble light or old cover our precious plants in the heat will eventually be lost to the string of Christmas lights under the winter with a sheet and add a atmosphere and the plant will cloth with your plant. Use the old light bulb for warmth may not freeze no matter how many blan- fashioned kind of Christmas lights be able to do so due to the gov- kets you’ve used. That’s why you (be sure they’re rated for outdoor ernment halting the production don’t see North Dakotans covering use), not the little twinklers or of the old bulbs. It would be their plants in the dead of winter. In newer LEDs or CFLs, which gen- advised that anyone who cares the frigid north, cloth covers might erate very little heat. Place your for his landscaping plants or help in September or October, but lights carefully so they won’t start vegetable garden, should hit up once the real cold sets in, they ei- a fire or burn your plant. The heat all the stores now to stock up on ther move cold sensitive plants in- the lights generate is surprisingly incandescent light bulbs. doors or kiss them goodbye. significant. P AGE 4

In a Desert Garden October Plant Ah, the weeds! weeds – subaxillaris- Sales Camphor weeds – Heterotheca Tohono Chul Park subaxillaris-asteraceae 7366 N. Paseo del Norte Tucson Just when I thought I had run 520-742-6455 out of subjects to write about, October 12, 4-6:00 p.m. another one came around. All I Members only have to do is to take a little stroll October 15-16 around my garden and “voila” General Public Plant Sale there is a plant I have not written about. Desert Survivors Everywhere I look, I can see 1020 W. Starr Pass the weeds have taken over, up Tucson and down the streets, but to me a 520-791-9309 weed is just a plant in the wrong October1, 8:00-5:00 p.m. place, and I absolutely love the Members only saying “It is not a weed until I October 8 & 9, 10-5:00 p.m. General Public Plant Sale say it is a weed.” and I live true to these words. In my backyard I Tucson Botanical Garden really do not have any “weeds.” 2150 N. Alvernon Way What we consider to be truly will probably regret letting this one 520-326-9686 weeds, I have eradicated a long grow, as this plant is really prolific. No information available time ago. My weeds are mostly Camphor weed is also called ornamental plants that grow in telegraph plant and for mine the Assistance for Small Acre- places I don’t want them. As I name was well suited. It is found age Land Owners Classes cannot destroy anything, I try to throughout most of the southern dig them up, pot them up, and USA and here in Arizona it is Cochise County Cooperative Ex- give them as gifts or donate them considered a native wild flower. It tension and Cochise College’s to the plant sale of the garden likes to grow in disturbed areas and Center for Lifelong Learning are club. along the roadsides. It is also called a sponsoring two classes on Assis- From time to time, a true golden aster. This is a good name as tance for Small Acreage Land weedy plant invades my back the flowers are yellow or golden and Owners. They will be held on two yard, and depending where it remind me of an aster. The flowers consecutive Wednesday evenings, grows, it can be an asset to the are loosely clustered at the tips of the October 19 and 26th, from 6 – garden. Such a plant was the upper branched stems, the leaves are 8:00 p.m. at the Sierra Vista Cam- camphor weed that grew outside grayish green and hairy, and the pus of Cochise College. The regis- my pond. Even though I had the foliage smells of camphor. tration fee is $29 for both classes. honor to have this year’s fall An interesting fact—in South The focus of these classes is to Xeriscape tour come to my yard, Carolina this plant is considered help small acreage land owners I left it standing. It was such an endangered. inventory the physical and human impressive plant, growing to resources and assets, develop about 8 feet, and had finally Angel Rutherford, Master Gardener goals, and understand the physical started to flower as well. The and legal constraints of their prop- flowers are visited by honey erty. To register for the two bees, solitary bees, and butter- classes, call 520-515-5492 or go flies. Every plant has its reason online at www.cochise.edu/cll and for being, let’s not forget that. It click on classes. is funny, in my front yard, I pull this plant as soon it shows up, Mark Apel but this one was special. I know I Associate Area Extension Agent P AGE 5

The Agent’s Observations We have several Italian many of the mites, remove the dust Fertilizer recommendations can cypress trees with brown and get things back in balance. be found on page six in the Ex- areas that are dead or Predators of spider mites can gain tension publication, Backyard Q dying. The trees are over the upper hand if mite populations Fruit Production at Elevations twenty years old and are reduced by spraying water 3500 to 6000 Feet. It can be ac- line our dirt driveway. We have every couple of days until things cessed at: applied fungicide and an insecti- clear up and new growth appears. http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/gard cide, but the problem persists. en/az1162.pdf What can be done to cure this We have several apple problem? trees that are six years Surflan is called a old. They are not doing preemergent herbicide. It sounds like you do not well. Some of the upper What does that mean, have a fungal or insect Q limbs have a few small how, and why are they problem but rather a spi- leaves and the small Q used? A der mite problem. Deter- branches have dried out areas. mining the cause of Some areas look burned. What is Preemergent herbi- problems is the first step in diag- the problem and what can be done cides are a class of nosis. To test for spider mites take to remedy it? weed killers that are a white sheet of paper and place it applied to the soil be- under a branch that is browning. After looking at some A fore weeds emerge Tap the branch. If dark spots move sample branches it was from the ground. The on the paper then you have spider determined that there activity of these compounds usu- mites. Smearing the mites will were few leaves be- ally kill germinating seedlings. confirm their presence with A cause of poor watering The new roots and/or shoots ab- streaks on the paper. and fertilizing practices. sorb some of the material and the Control: Spider mites are not in- This will produce small leaves and little plants die. The herbicides sects but in the arachnid group and few will be found on the shoots. are applied to the soil and are produce silk-like webbing that can Without adequate leaf cover the usually incorporated into the soil be seen on close examination of branches will sunburn, and that has by tillage or irrigation after appli- damaged plants. Therefore, using happened. Watering at the drip line cation. This is necessary because an insecticide will not control spi- is important as well as proper fer- environmental factors such as der mites, but will most likely kill tilizing with nitrogen containing sunlight cause these products to predatory insects and mites that fertilizers. degrade over time. feed on the spider mites. Acari- A fall application of 1/3 the With pesticides there are sev- cides (miticides) are not readily amount of the annual requirement eral names of each compound that available to homeowners so other should be applied the first or sec- must be understood to avoid con- measures must be used. Spider ond week of October. This fertil- fusion. For a single pesticide mites like hot, dry, dusty plants. izer will be taken up and stored in compound there are three classes Disrupting their environment will larger roots or trunk. Current re- of naming. The first is the long aid in their control. Spray the cy- search shows that early spring chemical name from which a press trees down with a hard growth will use this stored, fall good chemist can reconstruct the stream of water. This will wash off applied nitrogen, for early growth. (Continued on back page)

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Kirk A. Astroth, Interim Director, Cooperative Extension, College of Agriculture 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. (Continued from page 5) molecular structure. The second is the common name, which is regis- tered and approved by the EPA, and is peculiar to that compound no matter the manufacturer. This common name is analogous to a scientific or Latin name of a plant. The third name is the trade name. This name is usually copyrighted by the seller, but the same chemi- cal can have many trade names. This is similar to common plant names. After patent rights expire on the compound anyone can manufacturer the chemical and give it any name they choose. By law all of this information must be found on the label. For example a common preemergent herbicide has a chemical name of: 3,5- dintro-N4, N4-dipropylsulfanil amide. The common name is oryzalin. Trade names, (used by manufacturers to distinguish their products), are Surflan, Monterey Weed Stopper, or Weed Blocker. The manufacturer may sell com- pounds to others who package in smaller home use size containers and give their packaged material a name. Oryzalin (Surflan) and sev- eral other preemergent herbicides are in the dinitroaniline chemical family. Surflan, for example, is bright orange and trifluralin lated. The best time to apply Sur- Surflan must be watered into the (Treflan or Preen) is yellowish or- flan herbicide is in the spring soil a half an inch within 30 days ange in color. These bright colored and/or again in the fall. Surflan of application. If not it will be compounds were discovered and persists from four to six months, broken down by sunlight. In the synthesized by the German dye depending on environmental con- high desert it is best to water it in industry. By accident they were ditions and concentrations applied. within the first week. With found to have herbicidal activity. It works well over crushed granite proper and timely application a When these products are being or gravel that does not have plastic “weed barrier” is formed and applied by farmers, city, school, or under it and is best controlling many grasses and some broadleaf pest control company employees grass weeds. Surflan can also be weeds will be controlled. the uninformed are concerned. For applied to established lawns, example, on road median islands Read and follow all pesticide flower beds (where flower seed is or in park landscapes, people have label instructions . not planted), or transplanted into, become irritated thinking “agent as long as the plant roots are below Robert E. Call orange” was being applied! This is the preemergent herbicide “band.” Area Horticulture Educator/Agent not the case. The two are not re-