Gardening in the Desert – You Dirty Rat

April 3, 2017May 8, 2019Jeff

The Sonoran Desert of Arizona can be quite a challenge. It is hard to imagine that, at one time, people lived here without air conditioning. We normally receive between 10-12 inches of rain a year in our particular area of Arizona near Cave Creek. This isn’t a lot of rain and this adds to the challenge of gardening in the desert.

Add to that problem the competition with the natural desert denizens including snakes, scorpions, tarantulas and a host of rodents.

This is the time of year when I make a daily round to look at all of the plants in our landscape to monitor their condition. When temperatures can spike to more than 90 degrees, the tipping point for some plants is very small.

For several days, I noticed that two of our plants were being nibbled. They weren’t being eaten, just ripped and the detritus left behind. From previous experience, I figured this was one of our most prevalent pests, the desert pack rat.

Rather than set a killing trap, we try to capture them with a Havahart trap and relocate them. Out came the trap and at dusk I set it and placed it where I had seen the nibbling.

My most successful lure in the past had been peanuts or peanut butter. I had no more of the nuts so I put some peanut butter on a saltine cracker. Sure enough, prior to bed time I checked and we had trapped a pack rat.

Left to their own devices, pack rats have been notorious for chewing through wires and other human necessities in search of nest building materials and food. While they definitely look like rats, they are a bit, and I emphasize the word bit, cuter than your average rat (see iPhone pictures below – apologies, but these were taken in pitch black desert).

The pictures show the pack rat just before we released him so he could take up residence in a more rural part of the desert!

You can read more about pack rats HERE.

Desert Pack Rat Arizona

JBRish.com originally published this post

See more JBRish gardening and desert gardening posts here HERE

Spring Cactus Bloom in Arizona – The Claret Cup

March 24, 2017Jeff

We have had a wetter than usual winter and early spring and thus we are having a beautiful wildflower bloom. Our landscape cactus are showing their appreciation as well with a living bouquet for our enjoyment.

One of our courtyard features is a round planter that has hosted a Claret Cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) for more than ten years. At one time it had plenty of room, but as you can see below, it will need to be divided and replanted within a year or so.

Claret Cup Cactus

In years past, it wouldn’t have this many blooms open at once, but its stinginess vanished this year and we are being treated to a full orchestration of its floral beauty.

Upon closer inspection you can see the juggernaut of thorns it sports that will present quite a challenge when it comes time to move or transplant it. We have a long pair of tweezers or tongs that we use to remove spent blooms or any debris that gets caught amid the needles.

Claret Cup Cactus

In the photo below, the pollen can be seen on top of the stamens. While this adds color to the picture and pollen to the air, it also seems to attract woodpeckers. For some reason they like to eat the center of the flowers and my assumption is that it is because of the pollen. After inspecting where they have been, the pollen sacks are gone — who knew?

Claret Cup Cactus

You can read more about Claret Cup cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus) by clicking HERE.

JBRish.com originally published this post
All photographs are Copyright by Jeffrey B. Ross with ALL Rights Reserved

See more JBRish gardening and desert gardening posts here HERE

Cactus Ghosts in the Desert

February 13, 2017June 1, 2017Jeff

Life in the Desert

Living in the desert will often present a real life oxymoron which will make us stop and take notice. Although people think of the Sonoran Desert of Arizona as a very hot place, it does have a winter season. During this period of time, from December through February (approximately), we have cloudy days with intermittent rains. This year, we had more rainy days in January than any time in the last ten years that I can remember.

Another surprise to some is that we get snow on top of the mountains surrounding the Phoenix valley and we have a frost every once in a while. In our neighborhood so far this year, we had one day with light frost, but there have been years when we have had several days with a bit more than a light frost. When that happens, we need to protect some of our sensitive plants. This is often done by covering them with frost blankets.

Once the cloth is placed over the plant, it needs to be anchored at the bottom so the cold air, that is heavier than the warmer air, does not get under the cloth.

THE PICTURE ABOVE – There are certain cactus species that people use in their landscape in the desert that are more sensitive to the cold than others and nurseries can’t take the chance of having them damaged by cold or frost. To protect the plants, they wrap them in frost cloths during the colder months. The picture demonstrates this phenomenon. When I passed by this nursery in N. Phoenix, the bundled cacti reminded me of ghosts.

See previous posts about life in the desert HERE.

Gardening, Life in the Desert Leave a comment

In the Desert, Its Beginning to Look Like…

December 15, 2016Jeff

As most people can imagine, there isn’t too much in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona that would innately remind the casual visitor of the overall Christmas/Winter Holiday Season. It does get cool during the late fall and winter evenings. We hit temperatures in the forties many nights during the end of November and through December. We can also get more rain this time of year, but generally not as much as January.

So residents of the Phoenix area use their creativity to devise ways of decorating for the winter holidays.

Here is a photograph of a variegated agave we had in our landscape at one time. The plant has thick leaves with sharp edges and each leaf has a sharp point on the end. That is how it survives in the desert. Without all those sharp edges and points, it would be eaten to death by rabbits, javelinas and other denizens.

People have discovered that those sharp tips at the ends of the leaves have another good use!

Gold colored Christmas balls create a crown-like appearance on top of this agave in the front yard. They play well against the green of the agave and the rest of the residential desert landscape.

If solid gold is too regal for you and you want more of a standard Christmas color scheme, a variety of colors would work just as well.

The increased color palette (above) plays well with other holiday ornaments such as the foreground cactus with Santa hat.

Instead of plain poinsettias, how about faux poinsettia leaves attached to the branches of the Ocotillo?

(BTW – If you want to see what an Ocotillo looks like during the active growing season with leaves and without fake ornamentation, click HERE)

For a more subtle spot decoration, smaller colorful Christmas balls can be uniquely placed in planters.

Yes, it really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Sonoran Desert in 2016!

Life in the Desert agave, Christmas, Christmas balls, desert, ocotillo, Phoenix, poinsettia leaves, Santa hats, Sonoran desert Leave a comment

Sonoran Winter Holiday at the Desert Botanical Garden – Phoenix

December 11, 2016Jeff

The Schilling Entry Arbor and Tranquility Fountain beckons seasonal guests to enjoy the winter holiday season in Sonoran Desert style.

Traditional festive decor can be found in many areas including the membership kiosk. While these items would be at home in any holiday display in the United States, they take on a special nuance when surrounded by nearby saguaro cacti and succulents.

It was somewhat strange to see the poinsettias taking their place next to traditionally xeric plants, many of which are native to the Sonoran Desert and other arid regions. The colors of the temporary plants play well off of the green aloes in the raised bed.

This yellow/white poinsettia with a bib of white cyclamen was strategically positioned near the main ticket booth. A swath of burlap is used to cover the less decorative standard pillar base.

During the Las Noches de las Luminarias celebration, the Desert Botanical Garden boasts – Eight thousand hand-lit luminaria bags and thousands of white twinkle lights will set the Garden aglow this winter for 21 magical evenings” – but I don’t think they were counting this rebar candelabra waiting patiently for the evening visitors and its chance to shine.

The Las Noches de las Luminarias event is one of the major valley attractions this time of the year with a variety of music venues, holiday themes and a wonderful seasonal ambience set against the beautiful Sonoran Desert backdrop. If you attend, dress warmly and bring gloves!

Above photograph courtesy of a screen shot of the Desert Botanical Garden website

It is a wonderful time of the year in Phoenix at the Desert Botanical Garden.

Gardening, Life in the Desert Christmas, DBG, Desert Botanical Garden, holiday season, winter season Leave a comment

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – II

October 29, 2016October 30, 2016Jeff

If you would like to read the first part of the 2016 Enchanted Pumpkin Garden story, click HERE

This year’s pumpkin display at the Carefree Sundial garden had a couple of western themed exhibits. Below, we see two pumpkins sitting outside a saloon with decidedly carefree expressions.

One fruit obviously violated the rules of the house as he was tossed from the card game onto the nearby street!

Another patron onlooker waved to those strolling by as he continued to enjoy his beverage.

More macabre is the neighboring gallows where the apparent wrongdoing pumpkin escapes the noose when his stem breaks away. Of course we cannot assume this squash was not deserving the prescribed punishment.

Off to the side, a pumpkin outhouse provides some needed relief .

A group of pumpkins were hauling hay to a nearby loft. I am not certain they were doing it as efficiently as possible. The rope seemed to serve as a zip line for at least one of the workers.

A pumpkin parent took her youngster to the nearby general store for a candy.

At several points along the paths there were artificial saguaros which housed round brine tanks containing carved pumpkins. They were lit for an eerie effect.

Some of the pumpkins just wanted to have fun!

The sculptors weren’t the only creative types. This jack-o’-lantern painter took up the brush to create signs, but…

unfortunately, this guy was splattered with some errant paint.

At a nearby pond, a couple of pumpkins were fishing to relax a for a while.

Of course there were some real harrowing displays as well. This poor fellow was being roasted. Who would do such a thing?

This is the scoundrel who was turning the skewered squash!

Here we can see the cook in the act!

Hopefully, this will satisfy his tummy or these pumpkins “in waiting” may also face the heat.

In another area of the garden, a mad scientist enlisted some of the melons to help pull the switches…

while the boss mixes elixirs for the holiday celebration.

Other helpers continued to keep the lab machinery going.

All of this is just ho hum for some of the resident pumpkins and they found places to rest!

Have a Safe and Fun Halloween!

*NOTE: The pumpkins in the scenes were made using artificial resources to keep them from being eaten by the native wildlife such as Javelinas. Also of note, some of the metal stands supporting the pumpkins in the “scenes” have been removed in the photographs.

Humor, Life in the Desert, Stories AZ., Carefree, Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, festival, Halloween, pumpkin, pumpkin carving 2 Comments

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – I

October 28, 2016October 29, 2016Jeff

During this season last year, we visited Carefree, AZ which is just a short distance from our Sonoran Desert home. They had a pumpkin carving/Halloween display and festival that was, as the title indicates, enchanting. I can also add very creative and entertaining.

To read last year’s posts with daytime pictures that are quite different, visit the links below:

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – I

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – II

Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2015 – III

We decided to visit the exhibition once again. This year, however we arrived after dark. The nighttime presented several photographic challenges, so I hope you will overlook some of the shots if they are not quite as sharp or colorful as they should be. I think you will enjoy this post (and the next post) which should stimulate the holiday spirit.

When we arrived, it was just at the end of family pumpkin carving time. Professional sculptors had taught the skill of pumpkin carving and families were finishing their individual creations as we made our way to the large rotunda. This is done to raise money for the local “Y.”

It is interesting to watch the experts bring out the detailed facial features.

Why so puzzled or is it sad?

The previously carved pumpkins were jealously watching as others were getting all of the attention.

And this little guy didn’t seem to care one way or the other as he sat upon the table. BTW – we were told last year that the appendages were artificial, but made to look real.

There were plenty of carved pumpkins to see and some burlap-stuffed figures as well. Notice the faint figure in the background.

Here is that burlappy cowboy that was lurking in the previous photo. After all, it is Halloween in the western desert!

There was a four hundred pound pumpkin on display as you can see…

And it was very orange and large. Notice the person’s legs on the left for some perspective.

The family-carved pumpkins were judged and this young fellow was brought up to the stage to have his picture taken with pumpkin carver extraordinaire, Ray Villafane, as he was selected for his excellent carving. I was very impressed to see how well all of the amateur family carvers performed. I don’t think I could have done as well.

A more traditional October pumpkin scarecrow was propped on the stage to help set the autumnal mood even though it was 90 + degrees that afternoon; pretty scary!

This figure was sitting on a ledge off to the side and would be easy to miss. He was attempting to play a balancing game with some rocks. Just as a side note…the attention to detail in this exhibit was outstanding!

Instead of scaring passersby, this pumpkin looked as though it was scared of us!

Below is another view of a pumpkin pictured above. You may notice that the face glistens a bit. A brine mixture is sprayed onto the surface of the pumpkin as a preservative so when visiting the garden, there is a slight vinegar odor, but not unpleasant.

These pumps were placed in the back of the stage to help provide that Halloween ambiance.

Not only the pumpkins were golden as..

several dogs seemed to be enjoying the exhibit as well. This one may be a bit scared!

Some pumpkins were just enjoying the exhibition. Others, as viewers will see in the next post, were not quite as lucky!

We will leave you this day with an onlooking burlap maiden and child which were appropriately dressed for the occasion.

View Carefree, AZ – Enchanted Pumpkin Garden , 2016 – Part II

*NOTE: The pumpkins in the scenes were made using artificial resources to keep them from being eaten by the native wildlife such as Javelinas. Also of note, some of the metal stands supporting the pumpkins in the “scenes” have been removed in the photographs.

Humor, Life in the Desert, Stories AZ., Carefree, Enchanted Pumpkin Garden, family, festival, Halloween, pumpkin, pumpkin carving, Ray Villafane 2 Comments

Monsoon Desert Bloom – Mammillaria

August 10, 2016Jeff

For those who are unfamiliar with the Sonoran Desert around North Phoenix, let me explain what happens during the heat of the summer through the middle of September.

The desert often creates strong dust storms and rain storms. These are customarily referred to as “monsoons” although technically they probably do not meet the necessary criteria for such a designation. Read more about our desert monsoons HERE!

During these storms, the Sonoran Desert receives much of its yearly rainfall. This past week, we had some very strong storms with winds and much rain.

When the “monsoon” storms arrive, there are desert plants that respond by soaking up the moisture and using the opportunity to bloom and produce seeds.

The picture below shows one such plant across the street from our house which is basically “the desert”.

Plants in the desert after the rain

The large plant in the center/top of the photograph that looks like it has antlers is a cholla. This is one plant that people try to avoid because it is segmented with a multitude of needles. The needles grab on to clothing, skin, leather or almost anything and a segment then breaks off and goes for a ride with the bearer. This is one way the cholla propagates.

In front of that large pant is a smaller cluster of cacti. This is a mammillaria and it produces a variety of pinkish flowers that nearly look artificial. They are very attractive and seem as if they would be at home in a tropical drink at the local brew pub.

Here is a closer look…

This mammailaria cluster has dozens of flowers which create a colorful bouquet

This is a non-cultivated plant that grew on its own. We do enjoy having it in our neighborhood!

Gardening, Life in the Desert Cholla, desert rain, mammilaria, monsoons, Sonoran desert Leave a comment

Agave Trellis

July 14, 2016August 27, 2017Jeff

After nearly a decade of gracing our desert landscaping, several agaves started to shoot out their thick center stalk last year.

The “maturation”/growth of this spikey stalk takes nearly a year; and in the final months of the process, the mother plant starts to wither and will eventually die after sending out multiple “pups.”

The spikes often exceed 16 feet; and after several months in the hot sun are lightweight yet sturdy. Previous uses for these spikes have included our year-round holiday light pole (scroll all the way down) that continues to adorn our patio. Now we wanted to extend our agave craft to the creation of a trellis!

Internet research yielded no effective uses of these agave poles for a trellis; so an original prototype was designed! Our three spikes were each approximately 12 feet long; with varying thickness of about three to five inches in diameter.

After the appropriate cuts were made, two coats of fast-drying clear satin polyurethane was applied.

The thickest spikes were used to create the three 6’ vertical spikes/supports that were placed at equal spacing over a 5’ linear area (each end spike was approximately 30 inches from the center spike post).

The three vertical poles were carefully placed in 6” PVC piping submerged into the ground, with pea gravel used to fill in any gaps. Effort was made to assure that these poles were aligned carefully to facilitate the placement of the cross bars.

Lighter lengths of spike were used for the three horizontal (cross) bars and placed at equal intervals; with the bottom being 18 inches from the ground.

For additional support (and because the spikes have natural imperfect planes), the middle horizontal bar was placed to the opposite side of the top and bottom bars.

Carriage bolts of varying lengths (dependent upon the thickness of the two spikes used being secured) were employed….and holes were made with a cordless drill prior to ratcheting these bolts into place.

Now the challenge is to find a worthy resident for the trellis that will offer a bounty of flowers and yet get along with the other desert denizens!

Gardening, Life in the Desert agave, agave spike, desert garden, plant support, trellis Leave a comment

Birds of Arizona – Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus)

July 11, 2016July 11, 2016Jeff

The Roadrunner lives in our backyard with a mate. They are elusive, but surface from time-to-time and once or twice a summer with a lizard in their grasp.

You can read more about the Greater Roadrunner at this page from Arizona Sonora Desert Museum.

JBRish.com originally published this post
See previous JBRish posts and pictures about birds HERE

Birds, Life in the Desert, Nature, Wildlife bird, Geococcyx californianus, Greater Roadrunner, roadrunner Leave a comment

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