   2010 Gardening Resolutions - December 30, 2009 Jeff Schalau, Associate Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County When I talk to gardeners, I see and hear about a lot of gardening problems. Many of these "challenging situations" could have been avoided if the gardener had thought about the consequences of their gardening decisions. So, to help you get the New Year started with the greenest thumb possible, I offer you a few 2010 gardening resolutions and extending some ideas, solutions, and references to information. Practice Integrated Pest Management (IPM). All gardeners have occasional pest problems. However, before reaching for the nearest available pesticide, attempt to identify the pest, assess the degree of damage, and weigh the advantages or disadvantages of using a pesticide. Natural enemies of plant-eating insects may be present in large enough quantities to provide some natural control. The damage may be transient or cosmetic and not warrant treatment of any kind. There are also several alternatives to pesticides, which have little effect on non-target organisms: exclusion, growth regulators, pheromones, soaps, etc. Make No Pruning Cut Without Good Reason. There are two reasons to prune ornamental plants. These are (1) safety and (2) maintaining the health of the plant. Reasons not to prune: appearance of the plant, excess energy, new pair of pruners or saw. If you have a good reason to prune, do it correctly. Cooperative Extension has several publications on pruning. Also, for fruit tree pruning, watch the newspapers for dates and times of workshops during February and March. Start Composting. If you're a gardener and not composting, you are losing out on valuable resource. Composting has many benefits and, when done correctly, it's not necessarily disgusting and stinky. If you are already a composter, consider upping the ante by using worms and/or brewing compost teas. Cooperative Extension offices have publications and information on composting. Plant Suitable Species for Our Area. There are many plants that simply have no business being planted in our area either because they are ill-suited to the climate or invasive. Plants that prefer humid climates and acid soils do poorly here. Instead, I recommend planting drought-adapted species (natives or well-behaved exotics) that conserve water and increase planting success. Know the Mature Size and of Trees and Shrubs. Many of the cute little plants that are available at nurseries can become massive at maturity. Reputable nurseries can tell you how large a tree or shrub will be when mature. There is nothing as disheartening as seeing a beautiful, thriving tree or shrub that has been topped or otherwise mutilated because it was planted under utility wires or too close to a structure. By simply doing some research or asking questions, you will discover that many dwarf or compact varieties of common landscape plant species have been developed for smaller growing spaces. Keep a Gardening Journal. Have a simple notebook with notes about landscape plantings, planting/harvesting dates, soil preparation, species and varieties planted, and most importantly, how successful you thought your efforts were. A journal should also include maps that detail where you planted certain crops previously so that you can rotate these locations to minimize pest and disease problems. I use a composition notebook. Visit Your Local Cooperative Extension Office. Meet the Yavapai County Master Gardeners, ask questions, request publications, attend our workshops and seminars, and think about becoming a Master Gardener volunteer yourself. In Cottonwood, we are at 2657 Village Drive (in Verde Village) just off Hwy 260 and open M-Th 9am-noon and 1-4pm. See below for more information. Get the Sunset Western Garden Book. Once you have a copy, spend some time reading it. A used copy not too bad, but the newer editions have continued to improve on the previous ones. It is the best overall resource for landscape plant information. Use the Backyard Gardener Website. The Backyard Gardener Website archive contains 600 past columns and is searchable by any word found in the text. Since using Google Analytics, I’ve learned that the Backyard Gardener website is used by people all over the world. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension has publications and information on gardening and pest control. If you have other gardening questions, call the Master Gardener line in the Cottonwood office at 646-9113 ext. 14 or E-mail us at cottonwoodmg@yahoo.com and be sure to include your address and phone number. Find past Backyard Gardener columns or submit column ideas at the Backyard Gardener web site: http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/. |