Desert Blooms

Southwest Yard and Garden Knowing How Much to Water, PART I: #itscomplicated In order to address the complicated question, I split this column into two weeks. This week I describe how the type of soil around your tree plays a big role in determining water requirements. CLICK HERE for Part II. Cottonwood leaf near Hillsboro, NM in September 2017. Although native to our region, cottonwood trees are no longer recommended for most of our ornamental landscapes because of their high water needs. Photo credit M. Thompson.   Question: How much water does my tree need?  - Multiple Gardeners from All Over New Mexico Answer: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: It depends! Considerations include the tree species, age, growth phase (e.g., dormant, bud break, leaf senescence in fall, etc.), soil type, time of the year, temperatures, winds, other weather-related events like recent rain, hail, or snow, and so on. Even if you know the species of your tree...

Southwest Yard & Garden Peach tree stem infested with aphids is likely going to defoliate completely, but this early in the growing season there’s a good chance it will bounce back and be covered in new leaves in no time. Photo credits M. Thompson. Question: What’s causing our peach tree leaves to wither and curl up completely and should we also be worried about our apricot trees nearby? -         Lorraine J., Los Lunas, NM Answer: Looking at the sample you brought in, the leaf curl on your peach tree branches is pretty extreme, and when I turned over and uncurled the leaves I found a ton of chubby green aphids hiding underneath. Some of the leaves, especially at the tips, are stunted and probably won’t fully expand after so much damage. Another aphid clue is the shiny, sticky coating on many of the leaves. The sticky shellac is called honeydew , which is a darling name for aphid excretion or – pardon my French – poo. In...

Southwest Yard & Garden Late April to early May is usually a safe time to move houseplants outside in most of New Mexico, but transition carefully and watch the forecast! Reprint from April 2011. Written by Dr. Curtis Smith, retired NMSU Extension Horticulture Specialist, with additions by Dr. Marisa Thompson.  This aloe plant was frostbitten so badly it might not make it. Image from Dezidor, Wikimedia Commons. Question: Is it safe to put houseplants outside now? After I moved my plants outside last year most of the leaves died. - M.J., Albuquerque Answer: In the Albuquerque area, it will soon be safe to put houseplants outside for the summer. If you are in the valley or high-elevation areas, you may need to wait until the second week of May. Gardeners in southern New Mexico can be more confident moving plants outside already (except those at high elevation). In northern New Mexico, gardeners should wait another month or more. In any event, you should wat...

Southwest Yard & Garden by Dr. Marisa Thompson Cherries ripening at the end of May 2018 at the NMSU Agricultural  Science Center at Los Lunas. Photo credit M. Thompson. Jujube fruit from different cultivars on display for the annual  Jujube  Tasting Workshop held in Alcalde  each September.  Some cultivars are sweeter and others are tangier. Photo credit S. Yao. This persimmon at the NMSU Agricultural Science  Center at Los Lunas,  photographed on October 2,   2017, wasn’t ripe enough  to be picked until November 21. Photo credit M. Thompson. Question: What fruit trees are recommended for my area? -         Karena, Dulce, NM Answer: Last week I offered tips for protecting existing fruit trees with bursting buds and open flowers from late frosts (visit  https://nmsudesertblooms.blogspot.com/2019/03/late-frost-fear-protecting-fruit-trees.html ). In commerci...