#8 - My stray cats are 'singing' (yikes).
#2 - Tomatoes are ripening.
It's hot here in Phoenix. Really hot. Yesterday was 115* degrees. Today it was 115*. And the forecast consensus shows over 110* degrees for all of next week. YIKES!! If you think it's tough on us humans, be assured it's tougher on our plants. Remember, outside it's not only hot, but the sun is intense. If it's not a cactus, it's stressing.
One of the easiest ways to beat the heat (well, tolerate the heat) is simply installing shade cover. Just by reducing the amount of direct intense sun, life gets a little bit nicer for plants.
The set-up in my garden is quite rudimentary. It's not pretty, but it is effective, and it only took ten minutes to put in place. My new seedlings are much happier now.
This is all a temporary solution for current season. Since my back garden receives west exposure, I have a greater plan for future protection. In summer 2008 I planted some new trees (palo verde, bauhinia, crape myrtle, pomegranate) to create natural shade cover. By next summer 2010, too much sun will not be an issue for me.
(keep cool!)
I recently visited a friend and couldn't help but notice a legion peculiar sculpters lining the backyard wall. I stepped outside, but quickly had to retreat back indoors. From across the patio I was struck in the face and chest by a blast of debiltating reflective heat like a comic book villian. I was informed that the sculpture were once ficus shrubs they planted in May.
The original intent was to do something about the blinding block wall and screen out the neighbors. I'm no fan of ficus, but it can work around a pool or as a nice screen. That is, if you're willing to give it lots of water. Even then, winter frost would be a concern (remember 2007 January?), as well as extreme summer temps.
If you're looking to add some nice color around the pool, create some low-cost privacy, or cut down the blight of a block wall, here are a couple native adapted plants that are beautiful, durable, xeriscape options:
duranta sky flower:
It blooms tiny purple clusters, looks full yearound, and can be pruned to espalier against the wall if there is narrow space around a pool. It will suffer very little frost damage and takes all the arizona you can give it. Watering every 4-7 days during the warm season should keep it happy (after about 3 years, watering every 7-10days). It can mature over 8ft in about 5 years (from 5gal), and litter is minimal and quite small, so duranta won't make a big mess in the pool. It comes in a white bloom and be sure to select non-thorn variety.
Tecoma Orange Jubilee
Covered with trumpet shaped orange blooms, it attracts the ever-friendly carpenter bees and hummingbirds. Growing over 8ft tall at about 3-4 years (from 5gal), it suffers very little frost damage and the leaf litter is an issue only after the bloom cycle. The tecoma should only require watering every 4-7 days during the warm season, and after about 3 years, you can cut back the watering to 7-10days.
Yellow Tecoma
(we trained this tecoma into a tree form - approx. 5years old)
Both can be planted anytime of the year, however, right now during the hot season, expect leaf burn and signs of stress. (it would be ideal to plant below 100* degrees.) These plants will not require fertilizing after planting, however, fertilizing doesn't hurt them.
