[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

Sound advice, Jo. Thanks for the additional information.


Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
University of Arizona
Maricopa County Cooperative Extension


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jo Setliff" <josetliff2 at cox.net>
To: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>; <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>; 
<melissa.south at countryfinancial.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 8:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Great advice; my addition:
>> use your camera to record what you like and don't like to show to 
>> nurserymen or landscapers who are trying to help you.  A picture is much 
>> easier than trying to explain.
>
>> City of Mesa Water Conservation office has landscape and irrigation 
>> classes that are great help.
>
> Jo Setliff
> Master Gardener Volunteer
> Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
> University of Arizona
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Dick" <rkgross3 at cox.net>
> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>; <melissa.south at countryfinancial.com>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 10:13 AM
> Subject: Re: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>
>
>> Melissa, Mesa is a very mild climate with abundant sunshine and 
>> irrigation water.
>>
>> To comply with your wishes would require more time than most of us master 
>> gardeners have to spend on someone else's behalf even though that very 
>> thing is what motivates most Master Gardener Volunteers associated with 
>> the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.  Further, although your 
>> request is reasonable, such documents or a collection of them may not, to 
>> my knowledge, exist as a collection. I suggest, however, that you can 
>> educate yourself in a more efficient manner and have fun doing it.
>>
>> The best source around is the commercial nurseries in your area and there 
>> are several good ones. Go see what is included in their stock. You can be 
>> assured that plants on their shelves are seasonal and they will grow in 
>> your area. Their owners would end-up in bankruptcy if not. They spend 
>> considerable energy getting stock appealing to their clientele and it 
>> must be species that will survive in our geography with a reasonable 
>> amount of labor, expense and knowledge. Most nurseries have a return 
>> policy that would make life rather difficult if a large percentage of 
>> their sales ended up in their own compost pile after the sale.
>>
>> Another good way to find out what will flourish in Mesa is to drive 
>> slowly, fully cognizant of kids and traffic, up and down streets and 
>> alleys and observe what your neighbors are growing. Take notes and, if 
>> you see something of real interest, flatter the resident by knocking on 
>> the door to make inquires. When you find something of interest, ask for a 
>> cutting that you can take to the nursery for identification or to guide 
>> your purchase. Many proud home gardeners will insist that you accept as a 
>> gift a duplicate of their favorite species. Take it.
>>
>> Another excellent source is the landscapes of public institutions like 
>> the Capitol building, libraries, city and county offices. Most contract 
>> with professional gardeners who know their trade and have great 
>> inspiration to please their clients and the public. Browse the grounds of 
>> high scale resorts who sport some most interesting landscape schemes. 
>> Many businesses employ landscapers to attract customers to their front 
>> doors.
>>
>> If you find a specimen flourishing in any part of Mesa, a garden spot of 
>> the valley, ask for a cutting to root or to show your local nurseryman 
>> for identification. Never take one, however, without first getting the 
>> owner's consent.
>>
>> In the area are a number of garden clubs that propagate a wealth of 
>> information as well as the plants themselves. In fact, joining a garden 
>> club is, in my opinion , one of the best ways to learn the local climate 
>> and soil peculiarities that can make or break your private home garden 
>> exercises.
>>
>> Make yourself aware of the Maricopa County Cooperative Extension that 
>> houses some of the wisest horticulturists anywhere. Become a master 
>> Gardener volunteer under their tutelage.
>>
>> If this raises more questions than it answers, I am always on the carpet 
>> for my comments. Don't hesitate to respond or dispute--in a friendly 
>> manner, of course.
>>
>> Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
>> Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
>> University of Arizona
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: <melissa.south at countryfinancial.com>
>> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
>> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 2:30 PM
>> Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page
>>
>>
>>> MELISSA SOUTH
>>> 85204
>>> melissa.south at countryfinancial.com
>>>
>>> I would love a complete planting guide for Mesa, Az (all seasons) for 
>>> Trees, Plants,Flowers, Shrubs, Fruits & Vegetables. I also would like to 
>>> know what Trees,Shrubs & Flowers do well all year long
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Arid_gardener mailing list
>>> Arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
>>> http://CALS.arizona.edu/mailman2/listinfo/arid_gardener
>>> All contents copyright 2007. Arizona Board of Regents/University of 
>>> Arizona
>>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Arid_gardener mailing list
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>> All contents copyright 2007. Arizona Board of Regents/University of 
>> Arizona
>>
>>
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>