[Arid_gardener] Shading Tomatoes

Tue Apr 8 12:43:33 MST 2008

Is it too early to put shade cloth over tomato plants?

Bill 

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
arid_gardener-request at CALS.arizona.edu
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:01 PM
To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Subject: Arid_gardener Digest, Vol 51, Issue 6

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Today's Topics:

   1. Question from Home-Hort WWW page (dnt102 at msn.com)
   2. Question from Home-Hort WWW page (hamiltonjm1 at aol.com)
   3. Laying sod in Gilbert (Cathy.Rymer at chandleraz.gov)
   4. RE: pepper predator (Tyler Storey)
   5. RE: Recommendation for navel oranges (Bill Woody)
   6. Question from Home-Hort WWW page (maryanneeds at cox.net)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 21:40:26 -0700 (MST)
From: dnt102 at msn.com
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <200804070440.m374eQrq012009 at Ag.arizona.edu>

Donald Tirpak
85326
dnt102 at msn.com

I have a Palo Verdetree in my front yard. I was planted in Sept.2006. It
stands approx: 10ft. tall. It is watered every day. irrigation system.
Approx: a month ago it looks like its dead. All brown except, for part of
the lower trunk. The green area is about 6" from the base. I have put a
little fertilizer last year, late fall, Moon dust, not alot. Other trees in
my community seem to be green and healthy. Any suggestions would be great.
Or should I prune it back hoping it will jump start it back to life.

------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 07:29:54 -0700 (MST)
From: hamiltonjm1 at aol.com
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <200804071429.m37ETsrq003181 at Ag.arizona.edu>

Jim Hamilton
85029
hamiltonjm1 at aol.com

Would like to know where i can have a soil test done on my home garden? Have
learned that by taking four or five samples of soil can learn what it lacks
in.  Jim

------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 08:49:37 -0700
From: Cathy.Rymer at chandleraz.gov
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Laying sod in Gilbert
To: bnd-66 at cox.net
Cc: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Message-ID:

<OF1903D17B.04BDD72F-ON07257424.005646DD-07257424.0056D6A2 at chandleraz.gov>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Brandon,

Thanks for your question.  It really isn't necessary to have your soil
tested unless you suspect some type of contamination.  Soil test results in
the Gilbert area will show a pH of about 8, low nitrogen, less than 1
percent organic matter and a soil texture of clay loam.  Here is a link to
laboratories that do testing just in case. 
http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1111.pdf

The best way (although perhaps not the cheapest) to prepare you soil is
this:
1)  Water the area where you intend to lay the sod well - so the moisture
soaks in to about 6 - 8 inches.
2)  Wait three or four days (so the soil isn't sticky) and then till the
area by hand or with a rototiller to a depth of at least 6 inches.
3)  For best results, add a 1 or 2 inch layer of sand.  Sprinkle ammonium
sulfate per package directions and till these in as well.  This helps with
drainage and aeration - the fertilizer will provide nutrients for your new
grass.
4)  Roll the soil smooth.  You can rent a roller at most home improvement
stores or rental shops.  It's a drum that you fill with water to make it
heavy.
5)  Water the area again before you lay the sod.  This will keep the tender
roots from drying out.
5)  Lay your sod, starting in the center and working your way to the edges.
Make sure the pieces fit together snugly and alternate the 'seams'.
6)  Water the turf area immediately and roll the sod with the drum.  This
will ensure good contact with the soil below.

Once completed, you will need to water this area three or four times a day
until the sod pieces begin to root into the soil below.  It's not necessary
to saturate the soil - just keep it moist so the sod doesn't dry out.  This
could take a 10 days or more.  Then you should be able to gradually change
your irrigation schedule so you are watering once a day, every other day by
about three weeks after laying sod.  By six weeks you will only need to
water once a day every two to three days.

This is a bit more work than just laying the sod on dry, compacted soil but
your grass will be healthier, deeper rooted and much more tolerant of hot
days and drying winds.  Your goal is to encourage deep roots (6 - 8
inches) which creates a great looking lawn that you don't need to water as
often.

Please let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help.  (I live in
Gilbert)

Cathy Rymer
Water Conservation Coordinator
Certified Arborist
Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor
Master Gardener
City of Chandler
(480) 782-3589
www.chandleraz.gov/water

Note:   Our e-mail domain has changed from ci.chandler.az.us to 
chandleraz.gov. Please notify all of your contacts.

>>>>>>>>>>>
Brandon
85296
bnd-66 at cox.net

Can anyone provide an updated link to labs that provide soil testing ( for
the purpoase of amending the soil prior to sod) in the gilber t area?
The link...
http://ag.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/question.htm
Is no active showing a list.
Thank you
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Message: 4
Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2008 18:54:22 -0700
From: "Tyler Storey" <tyler at tylerstorey.com>
Subject: RE: [Arid_gardener] pepper predator
To: <changingone77 at yahoo.com>, <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <000301c89852$4e4c69b0$0b00a8c0 at TVS>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="US-ASCII"

Hi Jamie,
>From what you describe -- leaves stripped of foliage (with the center 
>rib
still there, I'm guessing), nocturnal activity, and given the time of year
-- I would suspect caterpillars.  If you check carefully, you may see them
laying along the stems or hiding under the leaves.  If you go out in the
evening with a flashlight you may see them actively feeding.  If you have
enough of them, you may even hear the little beasts munching.  
If it is caterpillars, your best bet is an organic product called BT
(Bacillus thuringiensis), available at most nurseries, especially your local
ones.  It may be under the trade name "Dipel" though there are others as
well.  It works by giving the caterpillars a terminal stomachache after they
eat it.  Spray your plants thoroughly, carefully following the label
directions.  The caterpillars will then eat the leaves coated with BT and in
a short while they will go to their just rewards.
You can also go out with a flashlight at night and pick them off the leaves
while they're eating, if you can't wait for the BT.
I hope this helps,
Tyler

tyler at tylerstorey.com
http://tylerstorey.com
602-738-2978
-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
changingone77 at yahoo.com
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:48 AM
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

Jamie Rush
85202
changingone77 at yahoo.com

I really hope you can help me.  Something is just destroying my pepper
plants.  I'm pretty sure it's nocturnal, as I checked on the garden this
morning and found entire leaves stripped of foliage.  Can you help me
diagnose the critter responsible?  Please help.  I'm afraid I'll lose my
pepper plants quick if I don't figure out what to do. 

Thanks.

Jamie Rush
changingone77 at yahoo.com

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/changingone/IMG_0604.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/changingone/IMG_0603.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/changingone/IMG_0602.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i94/changingone/IMG_0601.jpg

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All contents copyright 2007. Arizona Board of Regents/University of Arizona

------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:26:41 -0700
From: "Bill Woody" <billw-9 at msn.com>
Subject: [Arid_gardener] RE: Recommendation for navel oranges
To: <arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <BLU102-DAV33E3567FDA65EB1B66C05ADF30 at phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="windows-1250"

In reply to jctea at aol.com, a Cara-Cara navel orange is very nice--excellent
flavor, blood-red so it has lycopenes.  From Wikipedia, "Lycopene is a
bright red carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other
red fruits."  It's a potent antioxidant and is being investigated for cancer
prevention.  But it's a fine fruit even apart from its health benefits.

You can find these oranges sometimes in grocery stores to sample their
flavor.

Bill Woody 

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
arid_gardener-request at CALS.arizona.edu
Sent: Saturday, April 05, 2008 12:00 PM
To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Subject: Arid_gardener Digest, Vol 51, Issue 4

Send Arid_gardener mailing list submissions to
	arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
	http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
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	arid_gardener-owner at CALS.arizona.edu

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than
"Re: Contents of Arid_gardener digest..."

Today's Topics:

   1. RE: Citrus varieities (Tyler Storey)
   2. RE: Question from Home-Hort WWW page (Chris Jones)

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 2008 20:03:15 -0700
From: "Tyler Storey" <tyler at tylerstorey.com>
Subject: RE: [Arid_gardener] Citrus varieities
To: <jctea at aol.com>, <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <002001c89600$6d942190$0b00a8c0 at TVS>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Hello Anonymous,
Technically, which citrus variety is best is purely a matter of personal
taste, but never mind that.  The very best variety for the home garden in
Phoenix is the Minneola Tangelo.  They grow extremely well here, have
fragrant flowers, are very cold-hardy, and are prolific bearers.  The
loose-skinned peel makes them an excellent eating citrus, and they are
excellent when juiced, with a very rich flavor reminiscent of Tang.
Minneolas are also one of the citrus that is rather expensive in the grocery
store, so a much better deal to grow them at home.
If you decide to plant and grow a citrus of any variety, I strongly
recommend that you buy an Arizona-grown plant at a local nursery.  Citrus
quality can depend very much on the type of rootstock, and a local nursery
instead of a big-box store will have the right varieties on the right
rootstock for the Phoenix area.   
I hope this helps,
Tyler

tyler at tylerstorey.com
http://tylerstorey.com
602-738-2978

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of jctea at aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:31 PM
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

85083
jctea at aol.com

Hi!  What is the very best naval orange or tanglo variety to plant in
Phoenix??? I live in Phoenix, I think zone 6??

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------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 09:11:36 -0700
From: "Chris Jones" <ckjones at cals.arizona.edu>
Subject: RE: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Cc: syoung at gkservices.com
Message-ID: <000501c8966e$8f48a1d0$add9e570$@arizona.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Dear Samantha - scotch thistle is a noxious weed -
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/scotchthistle.shtml. Please don't
grow it in Cottonwood. It will escape. 

Christopher Jones, Associate Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural
Resources Programs

University of Arizona
Gila County Cooperative Extension
5515 South Apache Avenue, Suite 600
Globe, Arizona  85501
U.S.A.

Phone: (928) 402-8586
FAX: (928) 425-0265
Email: ckjones at cals.arizona.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of
syoung at gkservices.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2008 05:43 PM
To: arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

Samantha Young
syoung at gkservices.com
syoung at gkservices.com

I am trying to find scotch heather and scotch thistle plants to establish at
my Cottonwood, AZ home.  Can you recommend a nursery (even online) that may
help me?

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------------------------------

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End of Arid_gardener Digest, Vol 51, Issue 4
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Message: 6
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 15:31:06 -0700 (MST)
From: maryanneeds at cox.net
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Message-ID: <200804072231.m37MV6rq027064 at Ag.arizona.edu>

Maryann Eeds
85007
maryanneeds at cox.net

Hi I just noticed black bugs about l/4" long eating up my grape vine leaves.
I've never seen these before although I've had those yello and black worms
before.  What can I do?  Thanks, Maryann

------------------------------

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End of Arid_gardener Digest, Vol 51, Issue 6
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