Garden & Nature, Southwest

Episode 14 Gardening 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 a

Episode 13 Native 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 episode 1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana 2) Amer

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 gal

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 episode Why 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?Variou

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 birds Resources (websites and apps mentioned in the episode) Apps eBird (app by Cornell Lab) Merlin (app by Cornell Lab) Audubon Bird Guide (App by Audubon) Websites https://birdcast.info/ https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-adminis

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 topic https://www

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 que

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 top

Hummingbird feeder good or not, feeder microbes, nutrients in floral nectar, scientific facts and best practices to feed hummingbirds in our gardens Microbial communities in hummingbird feeders are distinct from floral nectar and influenced by bird visitation https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.2295 Sweet Solutions: Nectar chemistry and quality https://royalsoc