The first gardening principle is: plant natives. Most of us don't have time to baby our plants; the natives don't need it. This isn't to say that colorful beds of petunias and fruit from citrus trees aren't important. However, the majority of our landscapes should utilize the plants that are best adapted to our locals. In Florida the native Cabbage Palms and Palmettos grow quite well if left to their own devises, and here so do the native Palo Verde and Ironwoods. 

The second gardening principle is: water sparingly. Xeriscaping is a popular concept in Florida, as it is in Tucson, because water is in short supply wherever there is rapid population growth, dependent on limited water resources. Gardens and landscapes should be planned to minimize water use and maximize conservation. Drought tolerant natives, low volume irrigation, water harvesting, and planting landscapes in zones based on water requirements are all effective ways to minimize water use. Most gardeners perceive their plants water needs to be greater than they really are. 

The third gardening principle is: don't over fertilize. Too much fertilizer is bad for your plants, your wallet, and your drinking water. If plants become yellow, the tendency is to throw on more nitrogen. In regions where both soil and irrigation water is alkaline, such as Florida and the desert Southwest, yellowing leaves can mean deficiencies in iron, manganese and other micro-nutrients. Pouring on more nitrogen won=t green up the leaves, but it can damage your plants and contribute to ground water contamination. 

Gardeners in Tucson have an advantage over their counterparts in Florida. Soils here are rich in nutrients, but sometimes unavailable to the plants. Sulfur can be used to help acidify the soil. Iron and other micro nutrients can be added in available forms not dependent of soil ph. Chelated iron, manganese sulfate, and micro-nutrient solutions may provide the solution to yellowing foliage. 

The fourth gardening principle is: have a great time. Of all the leisure time activities, none is more rewarding than tilling the soil and planting plants. I'm happy to join the ranks of the Tucson gardeners, and anxious to begin a whole new gardening experience here in the desert Southwest. 

Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona 626-5161.
Material originally appeared in Arizona Daily Star gardening column, on March 24, 1997
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