Arizona Desert December Gardening Ideas

It is getting colder but you can still plant in the desert southwest.

1. It is time to plant bare root roses. Soak the roots in a bucket of water a few hours before planting. Dig a hole that is larger than the root, plant the roses and fill the hole with a mixture of organic material and soil.

2. The rains have also started so be ready for those weeds that are bound to start popping up as soon as we have a warm day. Pull them when they are small so they don't have time to spread. Also, spread pre-emergent down now to help keep the seeds from germinating. Remember, do not put down pre-emergent anywhere you plant to plant seeds.

3. It's time to plant deciduous fruit trees such as apples, apricots, peaches and plums. Look for the low-chill varieties adapted to the Arizona desert climate.

4. You can continue to sow winter vegetables such as carrots, radishes, turnips, beets and kale. Germination may be slower in the cooler soil.

5. It's time for oranges. Harvest your oranges, tangelo, and mandarins. Taste for sweetness before harvest. Go to the local farmers markets for some great local oranges.

6. It's not too late to get your back yard ready for the winter parties. Call Arizona Living Landscape & Design for a custom quote and free design. They can install a fire pit, built in BBQ, concrete patio, paver patio, sod, plants and much more. If you need a yard clean-up before the relatives come over, call them 480-390-4477.

Freezing temps in Arizona mean dead plants

It is near freezing this month so make sure you cover your tropical plants or new plantings to keep them from getting frost bitten. Some examples are any annuals, bougainvillea, Bird of Paradise, tropical vines, Lantana, Hibiscus, orange trees, grapefruit trees, or any plant that is not an Arizona desert plant to be safe.

Check out Arizona Living Landscape & Design winter specials. Get 10% off your landscape installation. Call now for a free quote or Landscape Design. 480-390-4477.
www.LandscapeArizona.com

Eremophila Maculata Valentine Bush

Eremophila Maculata Valentine or Emu Bush.

This is an evergreen shrub with lush, green foliage. It will gro to 4' high by 5' wide and produces red tubular flowers from winter to early spring. The leaves are tinged red in winter. This is an excellent choice for gardens needing some winter color. It has showy red-rose blooms that cover the foliage, is hardy to 15 degrees, and is extremely drought tolerant and does well in full sun.
Plant in well drained soil and allow to dry out between waterings. Shear after blooming, usually in March to encourage bushiness. Plant in a space that needs winter color. It will be a striking contrast to other desert plants.

Arizona salt tolerant plants for the desert

Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinensis). This is an ornamental deciduous tree with bright green leaves that turn red in the fall. The female plant produces clusters of pepper seeds. It grows up to 40' high and 30' wide. The most interesting aspect of this tree it that it turns a brilliant redish/orange in fall. Ths is the only desert tree whose leaves turn this shade of red. This tree is hardy to below 20 degrees and is heat and drought tolerant, requires little maintenance, and is resistant to oak root fungus. Plant this tree in well draining soil, water deeply and infrequently.

Arizona Landscape Design

Here is a page of yard revamp or remodel pictures in Arizona from a licensed landscape contractor in Arizona. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477

Landscape Design

Before: Back Yard











After: Landscape designed with synthetic grass, rock, paver patio, paver curbing, mounding, recessed boulders, gazebo, and landscape lighting.

Flowers for Winter Color in Arizona Low Desert

This is the season for flowers in Arizona. Time to plant and enjoy the winter blooms. Below is a short list of my favorites. For a more complete list check out this website: University of Arizona

Calendula or Marigold: They come in orange or yellow colors, can take full sun, easy to grow, get 15-18" high so would be used as a focal point in the center of a bed or in the back, take minimal water, edible, make a good cut flower, attracts butterflies and reseeds. This plant can be planted Sep. through Nov. and will bloom Dec. through May in the Arizona low desert elevations.

Geranium: They come in red, purple, pink, orange, yellow, or white. Geraniums get 12-18" tall, take partial sun, lots of water, and are easy to grow. They can be planted in the Arizona low desert from Sept. through April and will bloom into June.


Pansies: They come in blue, purple, orange, yellow, white, red, and pink. Pansies get 6-12" tall, can be planted in sun to partial sun but will do better when the heat hits in partial sun, have average water needs, are edible, and are easy to grow. Pansies can be planted Oct. through Feb. in the Arizona low Desert and will bloom through April/May depending on weather.


Petunia: They come in blue, purple, yellow, pink and white. Petunias grow 6-18" tall, require a lot of water, are easy to grow, attract butterflies, and are fragrant. They can be planted Sept. through March and will bloom Oct., Nov., March, April, and part of May. They are frost sensitive and will die off with frost and need to be replanted. May survive light frost if covered.


Snapdragon: They come in purple, red, pink, yellow, and white. Snapdragon will grow 6-36" tall. These are the long stalk type flowers you see in the center or back of arrangements. They do best in full sun, average water, easy to grow and make a good cut flower. Snapdragons can be planted Oct. through Feb. and will bloom from Nov. into May.


Sweet Alyssum: These come in white, blue, pink, or easter bonnet. They are low growing and make a very nice border flower. They do well in full sun to partial shade, take quite a bit of water, are easy to grow and have a nice fragrance. They can be planted Oct. through March and will bloom Oct. through May.


For best results and an abundance of foliage and blooms use lots of mulch and a good pre-plant fertilizer like 16-20-0 ammonium phosphate. Water only enough to keep the soil slightly moist or slightly dry. Too much water causes fungi and will kill the plants just as quickly as not enough water. Also remember if the weather calls for a heavy frost or even a light one cover the flowers with a sheet all the way to the ground. This will help to ensure they stay alive and bloom all winter.

Contact a local Landscape Designer

Arizona Desert Fall Planting Guide

It's fall out there and the weather is finally starting to cool off some. As the southwest desert cools down we need to make some changes in our garden for a winter planting season. Below are some guidelines taken from Home Depot for fall:

1. Get the garden ready for fall crops by adding organic matter such as compost and digging it into the soil to a depth of 12–18 inches.

2. Start watering less often as temperatures begin to drop. Add a rain barrel to collect water from fall monsoons to use in the garden.

3. Evaluate your landscape and make a list of plants that add color, shade or other desired features. October is prime planting time in the desert.

4. Sow wildflower seeds. Buy a seed mixture or choose individual kinds that will thrive in desert conditions. Prepare the soil before planting by removing all weeds and grasses.

5. Prune trees and shrubs that get damaged during the fall monsoon season. Remove broken limbs, cutting them back to the next side branch so you don't leave an unsightly stub.

For all of your Arizona Landscaping needs call a licensed contractor. Arizona Living Landscape & Design 480-390-4477