PODCAST · arts
Desert Horticulture
by Bob Morris
Desert Horticulture is as unique to horticulture as the desert to other environments. Growing plants in the desert is part science and part art. The science must be "tweeked" to grow plants successfully here. This podcast takes questions from listeners, and topic suggestions that are current, and discusses how to 'tweek" the science for Desert Horticulture.
Episodes
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Soil Sampling and Testing of Desert Soils
Testing of home landscapes can be expensive. Sampling and testing of desert soils doesn't have to be done every year. Usually every three to five years is enough. Learn how to establish a baseline desert soil test of your landscape and how often testing should be done. All this and more in this...
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Internet Research on Desert Horticulture. Good, Bad, or ?
Desert horticulture is a unique form of horticulture that must be tweaked for desert soils, increased sunlight intensity, increased temperatures, low humidity and other factors. It's frustrating when solid local horticultural advice been given and people check its accuracy on a general…
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Amending the Soil - What Does it Mean?
Desert soils can be very low in organics. This is why amendments are added to landscapes. Amendments will benefit the soil structure or soil chemistry or both! Learn what it means to amend the soil and differences in soil amendments and what they can and can't do. Learn how composts differ in how...
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Iron Treatment Differs Depending on Time of Year
Iron, manganese and zinc is in short supply in desert soils. Particularly iron. Learn how applications of iron should differ, from soil to liquid leaf (foliar) applications, depending on the time of year. Not only that but its effectiveness varies depending on the type of product used, how it is...
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Fire Blight Disease in Your Fruit Trees
Fire blight disease is one of the most virulent and aggressive diseases that fruit trees and landscape plants can get. This past year we've had an outbreak of this disease. Some fruit trees and landscape plants are more susceptible to it than others. In particular Asian pears, Quince and some...
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Managing Fruit Trees by Summer Pruning
Summer pruning is a confusing management practice. It starts around late spring or very early summer and may continue all summer long. Its purpose is twofold: keep the tree smaller and reduce the winter pruning workload. Summer pruning focuses on removal of new growth only from existing…
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Buying and Growing Citrus in the Eastern Mojave Desert
I'm not a huge fan of growing citrus at the middle elevations in the Eastern Mojave desert but it can be done. Citrus production is best done in southern Arizona and at lower elevations, warm parts of Southern California such as Riverside and Orange counties and along coastal regions such as the...
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Wind Damage to Vegetables, Fruit Trees and Ornamentals
Wind can cause two types of damage to plants; visual and nonvisual damages. The most pernicious of the two are the nonvisual damages which reduce production and the quality of the fruit and vegetables and plants produced. This episode of desert horticulture discusses how we can design windbreaks...
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Pruning Classes 2021-2 Winter and Spring
I will conduct hands-on pruning classes beginning Friday, Dec. 10. All classes begin at 9 am, cost $20 per person and will be held at the Ahern Orchard downtown Las Vegas (700 Clarkway Drive for gps). Separate classes will be given for apricots and plum (pluots, Dec 10), peaches Dec 17 and 18,...
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Queen Palm for the Desert?
There is one palm that is sometimes called the "Desert Palm" and its not the Queen Palm but the California Palm. Although it can survive desert extremes, Queen Palm might not be the best choice when it comes to palms looking their best when grown in the desert. Learn of Queen Palms shortcomings…
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Straighten 20 YR Old Leaning Saguaro?
This saguaro was leaning because it was always watered at its base. But having a 20 year old saguaro tells me you were doing something right. Learn when to water, how much to water and if you should fertilize it or not on this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show
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Spacing of Plants Depends on its Mature Height
Whether you are planting a hedge or a tree the spacing of it depends on its mature height. Make sure you know what height your mature plant will be before selecting and planting it. Learn this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show
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Grubs and What to Do About Them
Grubs come in many sizes. Some of them are 3/8 inch long and others can be 4 inches long. They are immature forms of a beetle. Some landscapes can be 'grub attractors". But homeowners will call anything chomping on the roots of a beloved landscape plant, a "grub'. Learn what they are and what you...
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Plants Don't Use Water. People Do.
After meeting with a local HOA Board about their water use it was clear to me they needed help but were not ready to accept it. First, be ready to accept responsibility for the water used on your landscape. Gain control of your irrigation. Learn more about landscape water use on this episode of...
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Watering Joshua Trees
The worst demon in desert landscapes is the irrigation controller. People assume they can just turn their watering over to an automatic system. That can be a mistake with some of our desert natives like the Joshua tree. Learn how to establish, water and maintain a Joshua tree in a Mojave Desert...
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When to Fertilize Newly Planted Podocarpus 'Maki'
When to fertilize Podocarpus 'Maki' is at the same time to fertilize other trees and shrubs that dont have flowers and fruit that you want...some time before spring growth starts. Not true of other plants that are tender to winter temps and that flower profusely like roses. Learn when to…
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Tree Damaged at Planting. What to do?
Tree damage can occur where it is grown, where it is retailed, at planting time or when it is cared for. But you bought an undamaged plant! Learn what what can happen to a damaged plant, a particular disease that it can get, and what to do about it in this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support...
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Which Citrus is Right for Me?
Growing citrus in any climate other than where it grows naturally can be a challenge. There are temperature issues, rainfall, soil compatibility issues. All of these must be addressed if we want successful fruit production and a healthy tree. Join me in this episode of Desert Horticulture where…
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Late Freeze Effects for 12 Months of the Year
Freeze effects during the spring last months after it occurs. If you don’t pay attention to what’s happening, you’ll miss it and then you start scratching your head, “What’s going on?” We can see these effects in the short-term on landscape trees and shrubs as well is fruit production into the...
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Are Food Forests Right for the Desert?
Food forests are gaining in popularity everywhere, including desert environments. But are the right thing to do? Join Bob Morris on this podcast exploring the pluses and minuses of growing food in the desert on this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show
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Growing Roses in the Desert
Our worst months for growing roses is during the summer. But otherwise growing roses in the desert is nothing short of a miracle and not that difficult. Roses are not just about flower color. Learn that besides color, roses come as climbers, cut flower types, those that are fragrant (and the…
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When to Prune Flowering Trees and Shrubs
It's very simple. Prune flowering trees and shrubs when they have finished flowering. Now you dont have to download and listen to this podcast unless you want to learn WHY and WHEN to prune these plants to prevent sun damage from the intense desert sun. Support the show
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Confused About Pomegranates?
Pomegranates are easy to grow in desert climates since they originated from the warm arid climates in in Central Asia. Did you know there are about 640 varieties of pomegranates and those grown for their fruit can ripen them anywhere from late summer to midwinter.? The fruit "skin" can range in...
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How Much Water Should I Give My Landscape Plants?
The most common question I am asked is how much water should I give my landscape plants. It is a difficult question to answer because it can mean different things to different people. But a little detective work and the use of some equipment can give you some answers on this episode of Desert...
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Are You Selecting the Right Grass for Your Lawn?
The primary reason homeowners are choosing turf type tall fescue for home lawns is because it stays green during the winter. But what if you wanted to save water and still have a beautiful lawn? Try the hybrid warm season grasses. They can be bought as seed online and still give you a very nice...
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Ash Trees for Desert Landscapes?
I received a question about ash flowers from a concerned reader. This caused me to think about ash trees for urban landscapes in the desert. Are they a good choice? Only you can decide that but be informed about what ash trees can and can't do before you buy. And if you decide on one, know which…
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Growing Herbs, Greens and MIcrogreens in the Desert
Meet Diane and Tom of Herbs by Diane of Boulder City, Nevada, who grow and sell herbs to chefs, restaurants as well as the public. Learn their secrets about growing and producing as a small scale producer. You can email questions directly to Diane and Tom at [email protected] and ask for their...
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What To Do in the Fall
Fall months are busy gardening months. Learn what you should do to your home desert landscape. Covered are all the maintenance practices that you will need during the cooler fall months including planting, fertilizing, watering, insect, disease and weed control. All this and more in the episode…
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Desert Lawn Establishment and Maintenance
Most desert lawns are small and functional. The only places where they are large is where water is not expensive. Learn which lawn grasses are best for your desert environment, which grasses to use and why, how to plant them and manage them for future years. All this and more in this episode of...
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Artificial Grass Pluses and Minuses
Artificial grass has many pluses and a few minuses that most people dont realize when they elect to plant it in the desert. Listen to this podcast and learn what these are before you buy. Then make your decision on this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show
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What is Mulch and Why Use It?
Mulch is anything applied to the soil surface. It can keep the soil cooler, save water that is already in the soil and control weeds. Organic mulch may rot or decompose into the soil and improve it. Learn why mulch is a critical component of desert soils and which ones you should be using and…
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Planting Fall Vegetables in the Desert
Quite a few people have been asking what vegetables they can plant in this fall. This podcast discusses the fall planting of vegetables in the desert and what you can do to have a more successful fall garden. Support the show
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Planting Landscapes in the Heat
Summer time when it's hot is not the best time to plant landscape plants. The best time is an early spring and early fall when temperatures are cooler. But sometimes planting during the heat is unavoidable. Learn what mistakes some of the professionals make and how to avoid them. All this and…
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Summer Heat and Plants
According to some, this past summer heat was hard on plants. Was it the heat or was it something else? Listen and find out. All this and more on this episode of Desert Horticulture. Support the show
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Mineral Fertilizers
Plants don't care where their nutrients come from. Its not the source of the nutrients that is the problem. Toxicities arise in fertilizers when and how it is manufactured or mined. That is not to say that so-called organic fertilizers are blameless and that topic will be handled in another...
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Growing Roses in the Desert
Ever hear of the Damascus rose? Syria is a pretty dry place. Roses can do quite well growing in the desert. But you should know which ones to use, which landscape locations are best, how to plant them and care for them to look good. This audio podcast will tell you how. Also read about them on my...
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What HOA's Need to Know About Minimizing Costs and Maintaining Attractive Landscapes
HOA's have the daunting responsibility to keep landscapes attractive and save money at the same time. Two of the most expensive costs to community members in desert HOA's is the water bill and landscaping bill. Landscapes can be attractive and not ruin the resale value of its homes for community...
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Fruit Removal: a Management Process Called Thinning
Thinning fruit, or fruit removal so the remaining fruit becomes larger, doesn't work on all fruit trees. Some are "thinned" during the pruning stage, Some trees dont seem to care if they are thinned or not. They produce the same regardless. Learn which ones to thin and why on this episode of…
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Bottle Trees, Spider Mites and Plant Yellowing in the Desert
Bottle trees (Brachychiton pupulneus) are NOT desert trees. Many people believe they are but they come from semi arid parts of Australia and should be watered, planted and managed as mesic not xeric plants. Spider mites are the bane of many gardeners whether they are found on Italian cypress or...
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What To Do After a Rain
I would like to see you do three things to your landscape the day after a rain in the desert; make sure your irrigation applications are away from cement and steel structures, inspect your landscape and fruit trees and shrubs for borer activity and take care of any mushroom problems that appear....
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Prevent Early Peach Flowering, Identify Landscape Plants and Miniature Peach Trees
Are you frustrated that during the last few years early spring freezes eliminated your peach crop? Want to learn what plants are growing in your yard to take better care of them? Want to know how to prune a miniature or genetic dwarf peach tree? Learn all this and more on this episode of Desert...
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Desert Landscape Design vs Xeriscape
Have you ever wondered how desert landscapes should differ from landscapes in wetter climates? Desert landscapes must endure hotter and drier weather and they require a whole new set of plants. We will learn why desert landscaping and landscape design are not just cacti and rock. We will compare…
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Growing Jujube in the Desert: An Interview with Rafael Evangelista
Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba) has been grown in China for 4000 years as a fruit. It tolerates a wide range of climates including our dry, harsh desert. In this interview with Rafael for Desert Horticulture, learn how this tree has been cultivated in our Mojave Desert climate with few pest or…
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Irrigation and Desert Plant Water Use, Part 2.
This second episode discusses how to implement water conservation measures in desert landscape irrigation practices. Specifically it discusses how desert irrigation systems should be divided (valved) separately for the type of plants used (xeric vs mesic plants) and the size of the plants. Small...
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Irrigation and Desert Plant Water Use Part 1
Desert plants (xeric) use water differently from non-desert plants (mesic). Learn in this episode of Desert Horticulture how to irrigate desert plants and why terms like xeric, mesic, ET and others are an important first step when learning how to water a desert landscape. Support the show
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Verticillium Wilt in Desert Willow, Improving Soil Mixes, and Managing Palo Verde versus Crepe Myrtle
This episode of Desert Horticulture examines the possibility that verticillium wilt could be responsible for live die back in Desert Willow. The second question asks about soil amendments added to soil mixes such as Rock Dust, vermiculite or perlite. What are the reasons for adding them and why...
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Bartlett Pears, Winter Planting a Pomegranate, and Controlling White Flies
Three popular questions I was sent include improving the size of Bartlett pears, whether a pomegranate can be planted during the winter or not, and what are whiteflies and what damage do they create? In this episode I talk about the three major types of pears that can be grown in the Mojave…
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Why Wait until January to Prune Fruit Trees?
The dead of winter is not the only time to prune fruit trees. Fruit trees can be pruned 12 months of the year you just have to know what you're doing and do it carefully in the desert. Find out what kind of pruning you can do outside of the winter months on this episode of Desert Horticulture....
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Talk to Your Plants
Your plants are telling you something. Maybe not in English but if you observe them they are talking to you. That dark green color of leaves after you fertilize is a good indicator of high nitrogen fertilizer, good growth tells you plenty of nitrogen was present earlier in the season. Leaf scorch...
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How to Grow Excellent Vegetables Successfully
Principles never change. How to apply them changes because you live in the desert. Vegetable production is the same in the Mojave Desert as it was in Michigan, Idaho, Utah or California. The APPLICATION of these principles change. Learn from this podcast the basic principles important when…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Desert Horticulture is as unique to horticulture as the desert to other environments. Growing plants in the desert is part science and part art. The science must be "tweeked" to grow plants successfully here. This podcast takes questions from listeners, and topic suggestions that are current, and discusses how to 'tweek" the science for Desert Horticulture.
HOSTED BY
Bob Morris
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Desert Horticulture have?
Desert Horticulture currently has 86 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Desert Horticulture about?
Desert Horticulture is as unique to horticulture as the desert to other environments. Growing plants in the desert is part science and part art. The science must be "tweeked" to grow plants successfully here. This podcast takes questions from listeners, and topic suggestions that are current, and...
How often does Desert Horticulture release new episodes?
Desert Horticulture has 86 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Desert Horticulture?
You can listen to Desert Horticulture on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Desert Horticulture?
Desert Horticulture is created and hosted by Bob Morris.
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