[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Jo Setliff]

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
>>
>>
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>> Arizona
>>
>
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