tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5536665788236673882011-04-21T14:30:48.030-06:00Garden journal of a greenhorn gringo in the Chihuahuan desertMatthewnoreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-52230324003437008812008-06-18T14:10:00.003-06:002008-06-18T14:49:36.183-06:00

I have become disinterested in blogging about desert gardening and will not be making further updates this year. I will preserve the content to date and encourage readers interested in gardening in desert climates to explore the blogs and other resources posted on the right.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-27698981199299437202008-03-29T20:13:00.002-06:002008-03-29T20:20:43.428-06:00

Casa Congilio has the post I've been meaning to write on gravel mulch, only with better writing and photos.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-44955348001262345392008-03-28T14:59:00.004-06:002008-08-27T18:55:57.519-06:00

Oooh that smell.Can’t you smell that smell?Oooh that smell.The smell of death surrounds you.Now that I’m out of that place Amy Winehouse won’t go and El Paso plant life is starting to wake up again, let’s bring this blog back to life with a post about those fragrant, purple flowers you smell throughout the city.If you see the flowers on a large shrub or small tree with glossy green leaves like

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-43835158830675502812008-02-01T22:52:00.000-07:002008-02-02T10:44:18.166-07:00

While the Firefox spell checker does not yet recognize it, locavore was chosen as the word of the year for 2007 by the New Oxford American Dictionary. In choosing locavore as its word of the year, the Dictionary is recognizing a growing trend among environmentally conscious individuals to eat seasonal foods grown or raised near their own homes. Several testimonials of locavores have been

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-24333425767545800552007-11-30T11:32:00.000-07:002007-12-01T23:50:22.574-07:00

My latest garden addition; suffering under rare desert snowfall (KGP)Despite a lack of posting, I am not dead, and I am still gardening. Last weekend, El Paso received a rare early snow storm putting the many of the area's trees that have not yet lost their leaves at risk of limb breakage. The tree pictured above is the latest addition to my garden, a Mexican Redbud (Cercis canadensis var.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-90586411835683627022007-09-13T12:44:00.000-06:002007-09-13T15:26:01.250-06:00

In a comment regarding my earlier desert walk post, Pam in Austin, author of the blog Digging, asks, "Have you noticed other garden-bloggers doing this meme in their own neighborhoods?"I have noticed a few tours, but I wasn't aware it had reached meme status. (Until a few days ago I wasn't even familiar with the word meme used in this context.) The inspiration from my desert tour post came

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-47601376976246656412007-08-13T18:57:00.000-06:002007-08-13T19:20:15.054-06:00

Last month at This Garden is Illegal, Hanna blogged about purslane, calling it "one of the prettier weeds that grow in my yard." Not only is it a good-looking, low-maintenance ground cover, it is also edible and nutritious. One commenter (the blog has since been moved and some comments were lost in the change so you'll have to take my word for it) asked the rather obvious question (and of

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-34243919487148602152007-08-01T12:24:00.000-06:002007-08-01T12:48:34.913-06:00

My neighbors must think I'm crazy. I stand overlooking the yard. I kick aside gravel mulch and measure distances between seemingly meaningless points, large strides for longer distances and foot-to-foot for the shorter ones. I stick a shovel firmly in the ground and admire it from several different angles. Maybe I am crazy.My thoughts are often consumed with gardening, and lately especially with

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-25963479962817402762007-07-29T00:07:00.000-06:002007-07-29T08:06:26.780-06:00

In El Paso, it is quite common to use impermeable plastic as a ground cover in hopes of keeping down the weeds. The plastic is then covered with a coarse gravel mulch to make it more attractive. My house came with this plastic and gravel mulch in the front yard, the side yards, and around the perimeter of the back yard.In preparing the garden for the birds, I decided to remove this plastic.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-30222625433148398752007-07-10T19:37:00.000-06:002007-07-10T19:40:59.019-06:00

Today, the city council voted unanimously to delete from the agenda the proposal to lift the ban on mulberry tree plantings within the city.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-56346831819878182102007-07-09T12:01:00.000-06:002007-07-09T12:22:15.138-06:00

Tomorrow, the El Paso City Council will consider a proposal to lift the ban on mulberry tree plantings. The ban has been in place since 1992 because the trees produce a great deal of wind-born pollen that aggravates the allergies of many city residents.The mulberry has many things going for it. The tree provides a dense shade that can significantly cool the area under its canopy. When planted

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-45914468977143008692007-07-03T12:13:00.000-06:002007-07-03T19:47:46.025-06:00

While on vacation, I read the book A Full Life in a Small Space: and Other Essays from a Desert Gardener by Janice Emily Bowers. Through a series of 16 well-written essays, the book gives a glimpse of her path from an "I'm not that kind of botanist" to an avid desert gardener of a small suburban plot.Like most desert gardens (including my own), Bowers's small plot is a contrived arrangement of

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-6811488903582067152007-06-22T08:45:00.000-06:002007-06-22T08:55:39.553-06:00

After a second visit to The Gardener’s Supply (is that snickering I hear?), we drove through a bit more of the Intervale area and saw a few organic vegetable garden plots. Next, we turned into the large composting facility and were met with a noticeable, but not overpowering, sour-sweet odor. Every website I have read about composting claims that a well-managed compost pile either does not

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-13245207956165653622007-06-20T06:29:00.000-06:002007-06-20T06:46:34.394-06:00

While in Vermont, I made two garden-related visits: one to the Intervale area in Burlington, and one to the Vermont Wildflower Farm in Charlotte. Intervale is home to The Gardener’s Supply Co., a retail nursery and garden store; several organic garden markets whose produce I saw for sale in a local shop; and a commercial composting facility. The Gardener’s Supply Co. is by far the largest

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-30342009423637167712007-06-18T12:06:00.000-06:002007-06-18T12:11:10.250-06:00

This garden blogger recently returned from a vacation to central New York and Vermont. Congratulations are in order for one blog reader. I wish you best of luck in this “fearful gamble…into that love which is not possession, but participation.”* Thank you for your kind words regarding these assorted ramblings. In my absence, the garden has faired quite well. The vegetable garden received what

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-20071335184638191822007-05-28T17:04:00.000-06:002007-05-28T17:50:25.297-06:00

Water is a precious resource in desert environments. Some desert creatures have adapted to live without drinking a single drop of water; some plant seeds can lie dormant for many years until the water they need for germination is available; but humans and most of our food crops depend on a regular supply of water to survive.Some of the indigenous people of the El Paso area relied upon water that

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-66033957142939901342007-05-25T11:59:00.000-06:002008-02-02T22:47:57.922-07:00

Much has been said lately about the value of trees for the environment. Among other things, trees filter the air and water, provide oxygen, shade and cool their environment, prevent soil erosion, and manage storm water. I envision this entry as the first in a series about trees in the urban and suburban environments.American Forests, an organization that “works to protect, restore and enhance

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-50583375257791455962007-05-21T17:43:00.000-06:002008-08-27T18:55:56.797-06:00

The cats who run the house demanded more entertainment and I obliged them with a bird feeder a couple of years ago. The feeder provided the desired kitty entertainment but not without a few problems. It was very popular among the pigeon population, who brought their domination and left their mess. With a bit of browsing on that interweb thingy, I found that pigeons and doves are less likely to

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-14201045961300577942007-05-19T12:57:00.000-06:002007-05-19T13:08:08.589-06:00

Two weeks ago I tried for a second time to direct sow squash and cucumbers into the vegetable garden. Like before I had only limited success with only one cucumber seed germinating and none of the squash. For my third attempt, I have planted seeds in peat pellet pots.I purchased the peat pellets as part of a germination container that includes a base, a dome, and 12 pellets. Adding water to the

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-33201636327705071352007-05-13T18:13:00.000-06:002007-05-17T10:16:38.656-06:00

Let's go for a walk in the desert.A cool tree in my neighbor's yard.Overlooking a natural area. Honey Mesquite, a prominent desert shrub/tree.Creosote, another prominent shrub.Yet another prominent shrub.Now how about some wildflowers. First there is Jimson Weed, used by indigenous tribes as a hallucinogenic. No, I don't know how to use it.Some sort of legume, it previously had bright purple

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-22832551420817849722007-05-04T12:20:00.000-06:002007-05-13T17:49:32.480-06:00

Harvesting: A few lettuce greens and a handful of peas.Also growing: Nasturtiums and tomatoes.Germination: One of six cucumber seeds and none of the squash. I’m not sure of the problem here; the soil is warm and I have kept it moist. I will likely plant more seeds this weekend.

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-84422584752074301942007-04-25T19:54:00.001-06:002007-05-04T11:55:53.481-06:00

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-58867214974428572222007-04-25T12:45:00.000-06:002007-04-25T16:06:05.261-06:00

Before I started a vegetable garden, I knew two names in the seed business: Burpee and Park. I have placed two orders with one of these mainstays, Burpee, and received three shipments; two of various seeds, and one of an heirloom tomato plant collection. I found the Burpee website easy to navigate, but found the information presented on each product to be spotty. Some products gave extensive

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-59281842619789372842007-04-20T23:34:00.000-06:002007-04-23T07:00:27.550-06:00

Yesterday I prepared a weedy section of the backyard that will eventually host more permanent ornamental plantings for a bed of zucchini and crookneck squash. Squash, like melon, is typically grown in hills. This practice is beneficial because it allows the soil to warm up faster for quicker germination; it improves drainage; and better accommodates the sprawling nature of the plant. Zucchini

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-20319527570171035612007-04-18T12:30:00.000-06:002007-04-20T09:12:29.578-06:00

The garden villain du jour is wind, wind, wind. Stir-up-the-pollen-and-dust wind. Down-the-trees wind. Knock-out-the-power wind. Atomic batteries to power, turbines to speed, this calls for Gotham's Dynamic Duo. The wind rattles the windows late at night. Bam! The wind burns the pea leaves. Zap! The nasturtiums and lettuce sprout. Zamm! The gardener expands the vegetable bed. Whack! The crepe

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-46873908448023037062007-04-11T18:36:00.000-06:002007-04-20T09:12:56.919-06:00

Note: After my hearty criticism of the landscape of British nobility (which actually works well enough in England but is a poor model for the bulk of America) I further degrade the Brits by unapologetically appropriating some the best of their humor (ahem, humour) today. Like the knights who say “Ni”, I demanded* a shrubbery as sacrifice** from the folks at High Country Gardens in Santa Fe,

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-16561097027903764172007-04-09T10:26:00.000-06:002007-04-20T09:13:25.651-06:00

In traditional gardening, the value of a particular plant is judged by the level of care it demands. The more difficult it is to grow, the more valuable it is in the landscape. Such garishness is clearly seen in the stereotypical landscape of suburbia, a grass lawn ill-adapted to its surroundings bordered by butchered European shrubs. Such a landscape requires immense amounts of labor,

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-6169081025850341382007-03-27T20:54:00.000-06:002007-04-20T09:17:29.384-06:00

An article in today's NY Times discusses the collapse of so-called sky islands in the Arizona desert. In the higher elevation areas where temperatures are significantly lower than the desert floor below, trees stressed by record heat are being killed by insects. The dead wood further increases the danger of fires, and there have been significantly more damaging fires over the last 20 years.There

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-4198858521769744962007-03-25T14:03:00.000-06:002007-04-20T09:17:55.165-06:00

Ask a child living in an urban environment where food comes from, and she might answer, "From the grocery store." A recently released book by Michael Pollan entitled The Omnivore's Dilemma explores this question in a more thorough and fascinating way. Pollan traces the natural history of four meals from their origin to final consumption.First a look at industrial agriculture and grain fed beef

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-553666578823667388.post-49439272164848779452007-03-23T12:24:00.000-06:002008-02-02T22:58:54.478-07:00

My story in the Chihuahuan desert landscape begins with my purchase of a home on a small urban lot almost two years ago, but that certainly isn't the beginning. Ten years ago, before the area was developed, the land was likely chaparral scrub desert. Five hundred years ago, before extensive grazing, the area was likely a desert grassland.When I arrived on the landscape, it had been cleared for a

Matthewnoreply@blogger.com1