Garden & Nature, Southwest

Episode 14Gardening tasks in spring for a native plant garden keep in mind the other wildlife species that depend on the  native plant garden. These tasks are different from vegetable garden and non-native ornamental gardens. Included in this episode:   Growing new plants - add more plant diversity in the garden, looking for local native plantsWhen and how to pruneHow to mulch (not always necessary to buy mulch).  Grrowng ground coverFertilizing native plantsCollecting seedsIrrigationNext episode will continue this series to include tasks specific to birds, pollinators, spiders, insects including butterflies and bees, lizards, toads and  small mammalsNative Plants mentioned in this episode (scientific names are in italics) Mexican gold poppy - Eschscholzia californica ssp mexicana One of the online native seed company for its seed :https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/wf035?variant=40837419499674 Native plants that easily reseed and are either aggressive or roots are difficult to pull outSnakeweed : Gutierrezia sarothraeDesertbroom - Baccharis sarothroidesMexican feathergrass: Nasella TenuissimaChocolate daisy (chocolate flower, lyreleaf greeneyes): Berlandiera lyrataMexican evening primrose: Oenothera speciosaNative plants that easily reseed but  are easy to pull out and  not aggressive Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiataGround cover:Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora : native ground cover, host to butterflies Apps mentioned in the episode: iNaturalist :  https://www.inaturalist.org/Photos  (Apple)Send us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode 13Native trees are essential part of habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife. Many of us may not be familiar with how elderberry and dessert willow can create a beautiful garden and also invite wildlife including birds. Scientific plant names mentioned in this episode1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana2) American Elderberry: Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis3) Desert Willow: Chilopsis linearisSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode 12: Starting seeds indoors.In this episode: Why and when to start seeds indoorsGrowing near window with natural light. When would you need grow lightsWays to reduce use of plastic & alternatives to using plastic seed starting traysSoil blocksAlternatives to buying humidity dome for growing seedsWhat type of soil/seed mix to use for seeds indoors Check out the image gallery for this episode on the website: https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/starting-seeds-indoors/Seed companies mentioned in this episode:Baker Creek Heirloom seeds :   https://www.rareseeds.comTomato grower supply company : https://tomatogrowers.comSandia Seed company : https://www.sandiaseed.comChili pepper institute, New Mexico State university : https://cpi.nmsu.edu https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.comSoil block maker : Johnny’s selected seeds : https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block+maker&search-button=&lang=en_USSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

The best way to keep pests in check is creating a garden that has a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Here are some of the issues addressed in this episodeWhy not to use chemical pesticidesWhat is the harm in using organic pesticides and homemade sprays for pest control such as garlic spray, chili pepper spray, oil or soap sprays etc. What does a good garden ecosystem consist of?Various elements of garden ecosystem - soil, plants, wildlife, microbial life, water/irrigation, wind, sun etc. What plants to growCompanion plantingDiversity of plantsEpisode 11Date published : Oct 29, 2024Host: Vani ShuklaSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Creating and maintaining healthy soil ecosystem is essential to easy gardening specially in harsh climates. Learn about the basics of soil ecosystem in any type of garden. Also some specific situations are addressed such as growing vegetables and other edibles in hot, desert climates. I am also addressing a few common questions about adding amendments to soil, adding nutrients and microorganisms to enrich the soil and concerns associated with these type of amendments. Send us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can we make the best of  spring bird migration time. How can we help at an individual level. Make your garden rest stop for migratory birdsResources (websites and apps mentioned in the episode)AppseBird (app by Cornell Lab)Merlin (app by Cornell Lab)Audubon Bird Guide (App by Audubon) Websiteshttps://birdcast.info/    https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flywaysBookAudubon Field guide to the Southwestern statesSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

We forget about the benefits nature has on our wellbeing when most of our modern lifestyle is designed for indoors.  In this episode I want to highlight some important effects nature has on our brain health, sleep and cognition. I also share some tips on increasing outdoor time without making it another "task for the to do list" Send us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can you use the knowledge about sun exposure and direction in your gardening and design decisions (outdoor and indoor living)Some suggestions for if you are stuck with a particular direction of sun exposureWhat is the best side for a patio or seating areaShade options for  garden & patioWhat side is best for winter gardening Windows for bright interiorsSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

DIY frost protection for plants - sharing some winter memories from the past. How I created efficient, easy to maintain system for patio and vegetable patch.  In this episode:Frost protection for container plants in the patio and vegetable patchCreating a system that is easy to maintain A system that worked for few days even in less than 0°FSend us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Hummingbird feeder good or not,  feeder  microbes, nutrients in floral nectar, scientific facts and best practices to feed hummingbirds in our gardensMicrobial communities in hummingbird feeders are distinct from floral nectar and influenced by bird visitationhttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.2295Sweet Solutions: Nectar chemistry and qualityhttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2021.0163#:~:text=Most of the nutritional value,from phloem to nectary tissue.Winter range expansion of a hummingbird is associated with urbanization and supplementary feedinghttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.0256Send us a text for questions on this topichttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me