Booklet lists proven trees for area
Here are some concerns I encountered this week.
Q: Can I plant a Joshua tree in my backyard, or can you recommend something else?
A: Yes, it'll grow there, but it won't provide much shade. There is a booklet of proven trees for Southern Nevada called "Trees for Tomorrow." Find it at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/files/trees.pdf. It includes a list of small, medium and tall trees and their attributes along with a short description and picture of each tree. These trees are available at your nursery.
Q: Why did one of my hibiscus plants on the south side of my house die? We were told that it would take the added heat. Also, do you have any suggestions for plants producing lots of summer color?
A: You have described a reflected-heat situation in which the wall retains heat well into the night and the plant never got any relief. For plenty of summer color, try one of the Tecoma stan varieties.
Q: Why won't my bougainvilleas produce any flowers? They receive lots of sun and water and grow very well.
A: Bougainvilleas do not flower as much if they are overwatered. Adjust the water output down until the plants begin flowering but still look healthy. I recall seeing beautiful bougainvilleas in an abandoned subdivision near the airport. They hadn't been watered that summer.
Q: How do I groom my lavender bush now that it's done blooming?
A: Using pruning shears, remove the spent flowers and cut just into the top growth. This stimulates new growth for your next set of blooms. Round off the top so that light reaches the entire bush.
Q: How do I care for my desert spoon now that it's finished blooming?
A: First, wear leather gloves and a long-sleeved shirt when working on plants with sharp thorns. As leaves turn brown, pull them off at the base. Also, remove the tall flowering stalk by cutting down in the plant to hide the stub.
Q: When do we plant basil here?
A: Plant it in the fall and spring. It's an annual and soon bolts when it gets hot and the leaves become inedible. It does best growing in a highly organically enriched soil on the morning side of the house.
Q: Can I summer prune my fruit trees, or do I wait until spring?
A: Research finds that summer pruning suppresses growth, thus reducing your pruning chores next spring.
Q: Can I get a crop of tomatoes this fall, or are they finished?
A: Yes, you can get a crop. Cut the top growth back to a foot above the ground. Use a balanced fertilizer to push them back into production. Expect to harvest tomatoes this fall until it freezes.
Q: Are moisture meters sold at garden centers reliable?
A: That depends. The meters are not reliable for scientific research, but for home use, they do indicate a changing soil moisture pattern to help determine when to water. Our salty soils affect the accuracy of their readings. To do it right, you need to meter every plant. In essence, it's a fun toy.
BECOME A DESERT GARDENER
Many of us relocated from friendlier gardening environments. Learn how to make the transition to desert gardening and sharpen your skills to be successful -- and just in time for our fall planting season, the best time to garden in Las Vegas.
The class is at 8:30 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays through August at the Springs Preserve, 333 S. Valley View Blvd.
FARMERS MARKET DOWNTOWN
There is a new farmers market at Azul, 115 N. Seventh St. (near Ogden Avenue). It's open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays.
The market is a collaborative effort of Fremont East Entertainment District and Project Dinner Table.
It's exciting to have a farmers market downtown to serve the community and offer locally grown produce.
For more information, send an email to gina@projectdinnertable.com.
COMPOSTING IN SMALL SPACES
Dr. Angela O'Callaghan of Nevada Cooperative Extension is offering a composting class from 8 a.m. to noon on Sept. 10. You'll learn how to make balanced compost. It's designed to provide you with knowledge on vermicomposting and other topics.
There is a $20 fee to cover materials. Call 257-5573 to reserve your seat. The class is at 8050 Paradise Road at Windmill Parkway and the Las Vegas Beltway exit.
Linn Mills writes a garden column each Sunday. You can reach him at linn.mills@ springspreserve.org or 822-7754.
