Garden & Nature, Southwest

Episode # 20 Where do you buy native plants in southwest USA. How do you select plants for your space, for different garden sizes an designs. Can you have native plants in containers if you just have patio/balcony or or a rental home.  I go through some examples of plants for different garden spaces and different wildlife benefits. Relevant prior episodes Ep # 4 _ Where to fin native plants. How to avoid confusion and invasive species Ep # 7 : Sun Exposure an direction; Microclimate of Garden2026 Spring Native plant sales mentioned in this episodeUTEP, Flora Fest, El Paso, TX - April 11, 2026Alamogordo, NM ( Otero native plant society ) - April 11, 2026Borderland nursery and seeds - Patagonia AZ spring plant sale - April 25th Albuquerque and Santa Fe have plant sales in various locations in April and MayDenver botanical garden annual spring sale - MayUtah - May Southern California, Arizona an Nevada - Many sales were in February an March. A few may be in April. Please check your local area. Some nurseries mentioned in this episodeSpadefoot Nursery, Tucson, AZhttps://www.spadefootnursery.com/El Paso, TXhttps://www.highdesertnativeplants.com/ Las Cruces, NMhttp://www.robledovista.com/La Union, NM (Near Las Cruces, NM & El Paso, TX) https://www.sierravistagrowers.net/Boulder  Coloradohttps://harlequinsgardens.com/Plants mentioned  in this episode :Ground cover plants  Wine cups - Callirhe involucrataFrog fruit - Phyla nodifloraSilver pony foot - Dichondra argenteaGray 5 eyes - Chamaesarcha chonioesWindmill trailing vine -- Allionia incarnataFlowering plants -Salvias - multiple native species Penstemons - multiple native speciesCherry Skullcap - Scutellaria sufretescensDesert marigold -   Baileya multiradiataBlanket flower - Gaillardia (different native species)Blackfoot daisy - Melampodium leucanthum Chocolate daisy - Berandiera lyratadamianita daisy - Chrysactinia mexicana Shrubs and tressAlgeria - Mahonia trifoliata - (Berberis trifoliata)Algeria - Mahonia hematocarpa -  (red barberry -)Wolfberry - Lycium Anderson (some other species of Lycium also native )Little leaf Sumac - Rhus microphyllaThree leaf Sumac - Rhus trilobataManzanita - pointleaf Manzanita  - Arctostaphylos pungent (and other native species )Sage - Leucophyllum - Desert Willow - Chilopsis linersGoldenball Lead tree - Leucaena retusa Mexican red bird of paradise - Caesalpinia mexicanaAnisacanthus Quadrifidus  GrassessMexican feather grass - Nassella tennuissimaGrama grasses native to southwestBuffalo grass - Bouteloua dactyloidesMuhly grasses - Muhlenbergia  (several native southwest species)Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How do you find inspiration to keep growing a native garden when you can’t find the plants that you’re looking for. If you are starting a new native plant garden, how do you continue to make progress? Where do you find motivation to continue gardening? Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Apart from general bird habitat requirement in the garden, specific changes for any particular bird can be very effective for growing a bird habitat garden. I use the example of Lesser Goldfinches in this episode but the information can be applied to any bird you are interested in. I will walk you through a process that will make learning and planning the habitat, simple Websites mentioned in this episode All about birds (Cornell Lab)https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/Audubonhttps://www.audubon.org/Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center -  Native Plant Database page https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=trueLadybird Johnson Wildflower Center  - Home pagehttps://www.wildflower.org/Plant nursery for online plants - It carries many southwestern native plants High Country Gardenshttps://www.highcountrygardens.com/Birds mentioned in this episodeLesser Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco Native plants mentioned in this episode. Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center links are provided for each plant to get more informationChocolate flower ( Berlendiera lyrata )https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELYMaximillian Sunflower: Helianthus maximilianihttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA2Annual Sunflower : Helianthus annuus https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye: Viguera https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VISTBlanket flower  (Gaillardia )There are many different species of Gaillardia. If you search on the wildflower center website for ‘Gaillardia” or “blanket flower” you will be able to review the different plants in that grouphttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=trueTetraneuris scaposa Same as mentioned above for Gaillardia. Please type “tetraneuris” on Wildflower Center website search bar to see various optionshttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=trueElderberry tree (Mexican Elder) : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SANIC5Black Dalea : Dalea frutescenshttps://www.Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Daily maintenance is possible only if it easy. Birdbath design and location are the two most important factors in developing a habit of cleaning birdbath daily. Birdbath heater alternatives for frozen birdbaths in the winter. Which regions in US Southwest could benefit from having a birdbath heaterSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can you maximize bird sightings every migration season including fall migration 2025 Easily make birdwatching a part of your daily routine. Create a birding hotspot in your garden. Birds and plants mentioned in the show :Rock wrenWarblersGreen tailed towheeScots orioleIndigo buntingPhainopepla Apps mentioned in the show: iNaturalist e-BirdAudubon Nature journaling and how to draw birds that you see in nature by https://johnmuirlaws.comSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Ep. 15 In this episode: Water source for birds, bees and butterflies. Habitats for lizards, toads and tortoise. Create a safe space in patio, play area, other high traffic area : Rattlesnake fence.Remove clutterSimplify outdoor living ————————————Briefly, an important task for plant care - irrigation adjustments. ————————————-Spring bird migration : New bird in my garden. Yellow-rumped warblerSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode 14Gardening tasks in spring for a native plant garden keep in mind the other wildlife species that depend on the  native plant garden. These tasks are different from vegetable garden and non-native ornamental gardens. Included in this episode:   Growing new plants - add more plant diversity in the garden, looking for local native plantsWhen and how to pruneHow to mulch (not always necessary to buy mulch).  Grrowng ground coverFertilizing native plantsCollecting seedsIrrigationNext episode will continue this series to include tasks specific to birds, pollinators, spiders, insects including butterflies and bees, lizards, toads and  small mammalsNative Plants mentioned in this episode (scientific names are in italics) Mexican gold poppy - Eschscholzia californica ssp mexicana One of the online native seed company for its seed :https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/wf035?variant=40837419499674 Native plants that easily reseed and are either aggressive or roots are difficult to pull outSnakeweed : Gutierrezia sarothraeDesertbroom - Baccharis sarothroidesMexican feathergrass: Nasella TenuissimaChocolate daisy (chocolate flower, lyreleaf greeneyes): Berlandiera lyrataMexican evening primrose: Oenothera speciosaNative plants that easily reseed but  are easy to pull out and  not aggressive Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiataGround cover:Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora : native ground cover, host to butterflies Apps mentioned in the episode: iNaturalist :  https://www.inaturalist.org/Photos  (Apple)Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode 13Native trees are essential part of habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife. Many of us may not be familiar with how elderberry and dessert willow can create a beautiful garden and also invite wildlife including birds. Scientific plant names mentioned in this episode1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana2) American Elderberry: Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis3) Desert Willow: Chilopsis linearisSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode 12: Starting seeds indoors.In this episode: Why and when to start seeds indoorsGrowing near window with natural light. When would you need grow lightsWays to reduce use of plastic & alternatives to using plastic seed starting traysSoil blocksAlternatives to buying humidity dome for growing seedsWhat type of soil/seed mix to use for seeds indoors Check out the image gallery for this episode on the website: https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/starting-seeds-indoors/Seed companies mentioned in this episode:Baker Creek Heirloom seeds :   https://www.rareseeds.comTomato grower supply company : https://tomatogrowers.comSandia Seed company : https://www.sandiaseed.comChili pepper institute, New Mexico State university : https://cpi.nmsu.edu https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.comSoil block maker : Johnny’s selected seeds : https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block+maker&search-button=&lang=en_USSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

The best way to keep pests in check is creating a garden that has a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Here are some of the issues addressed in this episodeWhy not to use chemical pesticidesWhat is the harm in using organic pesticides and homemade sprays for pest control such as garlic spray, chili pepper spray, oil or soap sprays etc. What does a good garden ecosystem consist of?Various elements of garden ecosystem - soil, plants, wildlife, microbial life, water/irrigation, wind, sun etc. What plants to growCompanion plantingDiversity of plantsEpisode 11Date published : Oct 29, 2024Host: Vani ShuklaSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Creating and maintaining healthy soil ecosystem is essential to easy gardening specially in harsh climates. Learn about the basics of soil ecosystem in any type of garden. Also some specific situations are addressed such as growing vegetables and other edibles in hot, desert climates. I am also addressing a few common questions about adding amendments to soil, adding nutrients and microorganisms to enrich the soil and concerns associated with these type of amendments. Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can we make the best of  spring bird migration time. How can we help at an individual level. Make your garden rest stop for migratory birdsResources (websites and apps mentioned in the episode)AppseBird (app by Cornell Lab)Merlin (app by Cornell Lab)Audubon Bird Guide (App by Audubon) Websiteshttps://birdcast.info/    https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flywaysBookAudubon Field guide to the Southwestern statesSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

We forget about the benefits nature has on our wellbeing when most of our modern lifestyle is designed for indoors.  In this episode I want to highlight some important effects nature has on our brain health, sleep and cognition. I also share some tips on increasing outdoor time without making it another "task for the to do list" Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can you use the knowledge about sun exposure and direction in your gardening and design decisions (outdoor and indoor living)Some suggestions for if you are stuck with a particular direction of sun exposureWhat is the best side for a patio or seating areaShade options for  garden & patioWhat side is best for winter gardening Windows for bright interiorsSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

DIY frost protection for plants - sharing some winter memories from the past. How I created efficient, easy to maintain system for patio and vegetable patch.  In this episode:Frost protection for container plants in the patio and vegetable patchCreating a system that is easy to maintain A system that worked for few days even in less than 0°FSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Hummingbird feeder good or not,  feeder  microbes, nutrients in floral nectar, scientific facts and best practices to feed hummingbirds in our gardensMicrobial communities in hummingbird feeders are distinct from floral nectar and influenced by bird visitationhttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.2295Sweet Solutions: Nectar chemistry and qualityhttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2021.0163#:~:text=Most of the nutritional value,from phloem to nectary tissue.Winter range expansion of a hummingbird is associated with urbanization and supplementary feedinghttps://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2017.0256Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode # 4 : Where to find locally native plants.   Collecting plants/seeds from wild - legal or not, right or wrong. Learning about local natives and invasive species.Plants and websites mentioned in this episode:Verbena (large genus with more than 100 species of  plants )Paper flower (Psilostrophe tagetina) Jewel flower (Streptanthus carinatus)iNaturalist - App to identify plantsLady Bird Johnson Wildflower center   https://www.wildflower.org/Borderlands Restoration Networkhttps://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/shop.htmlNative American seeds https://seedsource.com/Invasive Plant Atlas of United Stateshttps://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/index.cfmAlso look at your nearby state parks’ and national parks’ websites for list of invasive plants Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Rainwater Harvesting Active rainwater harvesting - setting up collection system.Passive harvesting - maximizing rainwater absorption in the ground.Rain barrels/containers/tanks - plastic, metal, ceramic, wood. Rain gutters - various options; installing small sections of roof vs full roofRain chain vs downspoutOption for flat roof - how to collect water from scuppers/canaleLinkhttps://www.canalecatchers.com/ Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

What characteristic to look for when selecting fruit trees. Learn about chilling requirementsGrowing conditions including soil pHImportance of knowing about the wholesale nurseryCold hardinessUSDA cold hardiness zonesWhat is the best time to plant fruit treesSend us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Date: September 6, 2023Podcast name : Garden and Nature, SouthwestEpisode titile : Inviting wild birds to the backyardPodcast Host: Vani ShuklaHow can we make our garden space friendly for wild birds to visit and nest. If a backyard garden promotes a healthy ecosystem, then birds that we never imagined could come in an urban neighborhood,  start to show up. This episode covers information on creating an inviting space for wild birds.Birds mentioned in this episode: Lesser GoldfinchHouse finchVerdinRock WrenWarblersMockingbird Curve-billed thrasherDark-eyed JuncoAmerican RobinBlue Grosbeak HummingbirdsOwlsNight hawkCooper’s hawkShrike ( Loggerhead Shrike)Oriole Chipping SparrowAsh-throated FlycatcherGambel’s QuailPlants mentioned in this episode. Common names and Scientific names are listed.Chocolate flower 0 Berlandiera larataBlanket flower - GallardiaSunflowers - many varieties - Genus is “Helianthus”. Many different native species exist in Skeleton-leaf goldeneye - Viguiera stenolobaGaura/Beeblossom (many native varieties/species) - Genus is OenotheraBlack dale - Dale frutescensWooly butterfly bush - Buddleja marrubifoliaWolfberry- Lycium berlandieri Aniscanthus /Flame acanthus - Anisacanthus quadrifidusDesert Willow - Chilopsis linearis Mexican elderberry - Sambucus nigra Send us a text for questions on this topicVisit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts.https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me