Garden & Nature, Southwest

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

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

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-administrativ

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" https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website

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 interiorshttps://www.gardenandn

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°Fhttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/

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://royalsociety

Episode # 4 : Where to find locally native plants. Collecting plants/seeds from wild - legal or not, right or wrong. Learning about local natives and invasive species.Plants and websites mentioned in this episode:Verbena (large genus with more than 100 species of plants )Paper flower (Psilostrophe tagetina) Jewel flower (Streptanthus carinatus)iNaturalist - App to identify plantsLa

Rainwater Harvesting Active rainwater harvesting - setting up collection system.Passive harvesting - maximizing rainwater absorption in the ground.Rain barrels/containers/tanks - plastic, metal, ceramic, wood. Rain gutters - various options; installing small sections of roof vs full roofRain chain vs downspoutOption for flat roof - how to collect water from scuppers/canaleLinkhttps

What characteristic to look for when selecting fruit trees. Learn about chilling requirementsGrowing conditions including soil pHImportance of knowing about the wholesale nurseryCold hardinessUSDA cold hardiness zonesWhat is the best time to plant fruit treeshttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts.You can also subscribe