Are your roses suffering in the heat?

When I need help with rose questions, the first place I turn is the Rose Society of Tucson. They recently put out some great advice of helping your roses through this heat wave. Visit their website for more information.

Mosquitoes

Be sure to dump any standing water to lessen the risk of mosquitoes. If you have standing water in pot saucers or fountains, use mosquito dunks or pellets available at most stores in town.

Water Bills

Are your water bills higher than normal?

1. Turn on the irrigation system and walk around checking for leaks.
2. Let the water run for a while to be able to check for pooling areas.
3. Listen for the sound of bubbling or water spouts.

Caring for your Roses

Now that the nighttime temperatures are in the 70’s, powdery mildew won't be a problem for your roses. Keeping the humidity up around your roses will discourage spider mites. You can do this by spraying off the roses each morning and keeping them well watered and mulched. If you need to spray for mites, you will need to use a miticide and NOT a pesticide. Information provided by the Rose Society of Tucson.

Our Heat Continues

Our heat continues so please watch your watering of your pots. I am going to give my landscape cactus a little extra drink of water this weekend as there is no rain in sight and they have not had water since February. Remember though – your potted cactus that are in the sun need weekly watering in the summer.

Losing Dirt

I had a call from a client today that her pot that is up on small pot feet is having dirt excavated through its bottom hole. Has anyone else had something crawl in a one inch hole and burrow in so that dirt comes out? 

Free Potted Garden Landscape Classes - It's not too late to plant!

Saturday, June 11 in Marylee's 

AIR-CONDITIONED Design Studio

 9:00 AM  Low Water Potted Gardens with Living Color!

10:30 AM  Drought Tolerant Potted Plantings

Please email me to register today!!

2522 E Ft Lowell (East of Tucson Blvd)

Fire Prevention in Coronado National Forest

Friday I said it’s a dry heat – never did I think that our Forest Service would have to close the Coronado Forest to lesson the risk of fires. I know this is being well covered in the news but please make sure your friends know what is going on. There is also a “Fire Map’ online where you can see all the fires in Arizona and New Mexico. 

http://www.azfiremap.org/map.html 

It is astonishing to look at this map and see all the red dots – and our summer has only just begun. Let’s enjoy our homes and gardens – and keep our lands safe.

But it’s a dry heat

Tucson is dry – that we know. You can create a little more humidity for your potted gardens by grouping them together, especially where they are in the shade or at least afternoon shade. Damp soil and healthy foliage can provide a more comfortable environment for both you and your plants. My shady side of the house, which is filled with pots runs about 10 degrees cooler than the sunny side. That is a huge difference. So when planning pots, include clusters for aesthetic reasons as well as creating that little bit of humidity.

Add summer color to your landscape with your potted garden

Color in the summer in pots! You bet! And some can even be achieved with low water plants such as the potted garden in this picture. Combining purple heart and lantana in a low water pot is terrific! (Now please note – I did not say no water! ) 
Want to learn more? Come to my class on June 11^th at 10:30 am. Click here for more information.