Tag: gardening

Gardening with an enchanted twist

While the stress-relieving capabilities and health benefits of gardening are well known, a twist on this timeless hobby offers a way to add charm and a whimsical feel to your home and garden. Creating an enchanted fairy garden can boost imagination and offer a family-friendly way to hone your green thumb. These miniature landscapes, often…

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Ocotillo in full bloom

Louise Grabell When I arrived in SaddleBrooke 12 years ago (wow—12 years already!) we were taken on a tour. Being an avid gardener from back east, I was enthralled with the desert landscape but I couldn’t quite understand why such a beautiful community would keep barren, apparently dead plants in the ground all around the…

June 14 Gardeners Exchange notice

The Gardeners Exchange of SaddleBrooke Ranch welcomes Yadi Wang, a PhD student in Soil, Water and Environmental Sciences at the University of Arizona. Yadi’s presentation, “Unearth the Secret of Soil Genesis” will be held on Tuesday, June 14 at 1:00 p.m. at the La Hacienda Club, in SaddleBrooke Ranch. Soil genesis is a complex process…

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Louise Grabell Roses are red, violets are blue; I made a mistake, so I must tell you! In my last article, I incorrectly mentioned that the next citrus fertilizing should take place on July 4. That is not right; the next citrus fertilizing should take place around Memorial Day. And you thought I was perfect!…

Master Gardener Program

A Plant Sale will be held on MountainView Clubhouse Walkway from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on April 21, 2016, plus Zann Wilson, SaddleBrooke Master Gardener, will speak at MountainView Clubhouse Ballroom West from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Lose the Snooze: Alternatives to Overused Landscape Plants. Come purchase plants grown by the SaddleBrooke Master Gardeners…

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Purple coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) in the Grabell garden

Louise Grabell Pinal County Master Gardener Gardeners arise! Spring is in the air. There’s work to do and it’s still cool enough to work outside without fear of heat stroke. Ready, set go: finish all pruning of shrubs and trees; amend garden and vegetable beds; transplant perennials; check irrigation for function and leaks and treat…

Understanding Gardening in the Desert: The Basics, April 12

The Gardeners Exchange of SaddleBrooke Ranch welcomes Pinal County Master Gardener Intern Alison Lang to speak on Understanding Gardening in the Desert: The Basics. This presentation will take place on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. in La Hacienda Club, La Mesa Room. Alison has been an avid gardener for many years, from New York…

Keeping our landscape healthy

Richard Gibson

Pam Boedeker Newly elected President Ron Andrea called the January meeting of the SaddleBrooke Nature Club to order. After a short discussion of membership and upcoming events, Carole Chase introduced the speaker. Richard Gibson is Pinal County Extension Director and Statewide Area Agent, Sustainable Agriculture. He works with producers of both large and small farm…

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Louise Grabell Got your pruners and lopers sharpened? By mid-February it will be safe to prune all that is dormant or dead. You can easily tell if a branch is dead by making a small scrape with your thumbnail to remove a bit of bark. If it is green underneath, then the branch is simply…