Publications
La jardinería de vegetales puede resultar divertido y proporcionar alimentos frescos deliciosos de alto valor nutritivo. Cuidar y trabajar con las plantas puede dar otra dimensión de alegría a la vida y crear una conciencia del maravilloso mundo de la naturaleza.
To overcome challenges associated with gardening and restoration in arid landscapes, many techniques have been developed, including the strategic placement of irrigation lines, the application of mulch, and the improved selection of plant species and varieties.
Arizona residents who live in the desert valleys with its surrounding mountains (sometimes called “sky islands”) are a fortunate bunch. Biodiversity of plants and animals throughout our state is among the best anywhere on earth.
Plants need the right combination of nutrients to live, grow and reproduce. When plants suffer from malnutrition, they show symptoms of being unhealthy. This publication provides information on the patten of symptoms and the treatments for plant nutrient deficiencies.
Maricopa County is a wonderful place to garden. Almost any type of vegetable or fruit can be grown successfully provided one chooses appropriate varieties and plants at the right time.
Based upon original work by: Lucy Bradley and Kai Umeda; April 1998
This publication covers the basics of container gardening in the hot, dry desert. Selecting an appropriate container, planting medium, and plant types for production are discussed.
Growing table grapes is fun and easy because they do well in most soils and are suited to Arizona’s diverse climate. Choosing a site with full sunlight, selecting the right variety, and caring for the vines properly will produce tasty fruit.
There are two distinct growing seasons in Yuma. The first, extending from September through February, when the sun is low and the days are short, is ideal for growing cool season crops.
la hoja y avanza hasta que toda la hoja se marchita. Por último, las hojas se caen. Las flores y después las frutas también se caerán. Todo el árbol se marchita si el agua no se suministra por mucho tiempo.
Water is essential for citrus trees because it is an integral component of the biochemical reactions that occur within the plant, and also because it is the carrier that moves plant nutrients and other substances throughout the tree. This publication examines irrigating citrus trees.
The Bagrada bug (Bagrada hilaris), an invasive pest of crucifers previously found in Africa, Asia, and Europe is now present in southern California and Arizona. It is a major pest of Brassicaceae crops and has been found on other plants as well.
Huanglongbing (Chinese for yellow dragon disease or yellow shoot disease, abbreviated as HLB) also known as citrus greening, is a lethal, fast-spreading bacterial disease of citrus. HLB is the worst disease of citrus trees worldwide. HLB was first described in China in the early 1900s.
This publication will help home gardeners grow figs. It includes cultural care as well as pest management.
This publication contains an overview of the different types of roses, a chart with name, color, ARS rateing, fragrance, flower and foliage description, and growth habit. Also contains planting guidelines

The grass-like purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) is a problem weed in agricultural crops, residential and commercial landscapes, and in turfgrasses on golf courses, sports fields, and home lawns (Figure 1). Both purple and yellow (C.
Growers of organic produce in the Southwestern United States face many challenges, including variation in water and temperature, and exposure to insects and disease.
Tree experts, known as arborists, provide a variety of services to help you care for the valuable investment you have made in your trees.
Arid urban environment increases the potential insect problems in shrubs and trees. Urban stress conditions include extreme temperatures, salty irrigation water, and heavy soils. Further, many trees and shrubs available in nurseries are not adapted to these arid climates.
For optimum fruit production in the low desert, choose deciduous fruit tree varieties that have low “chilling requirements,” early maturing fruit, and are self pollinating.
Biochar is actually just charcoal or black carbon, made from the incomplete combustion of wood or other biomass products.
The plants on this list represent plants less likely to be eaten by javelina. Reviewed 10/2016. Originally published 2001.
Seed pellets encapsulate seeds in a mixture (often clay, and nutrient-rich organic matter such as compost, humus, or charcoal) that will potentially reduce predation by insects and rodents while allowing for increased water retention and seed-soil contact.
Phenology: Using Phenology as a Tool for Education, Research, and Understanding Environmental Change
Planting or transplanting a cactus can appear challenging. Most landscape cacti are spiny. Larger cacti are heavy and tall specimens are awkward to balance. Using the following techniques, cacti can be moved and planted with minimal hazard to plant and planter.
In the arid Southwest, rainfall is scarce and evapotranspiration rates are high. Only natives and some desert-adapted plants can live on 10 or 11 inches of annual rainfall.
A description of the multiple hand tools commonly used to measure energy output of solar photovoltaic (PV) silicon-type modules.
Riparian ecosystems are found in the transition between aquatic and adjacent terrestrial ecosystems where unique vegetative communities can occur due to free water at or near the soil surface.
This publication explains how climate zones can assist in selecting appropriate plant material for different locations in Arizona. Climate zone maps include the USDA Hardiness Zone Map, the American Horticulture Society Heat Zone Map, and the Sunset climate zones.
Production of specialty crops such as vegetables, herbs, berries, and ornamental crops can be started on a small acreage and over time expand to a commercial farm.
Climatic conditions in the southeastern and northeastern parts of the state with elevations above 4,000 feet as well as parts of central Arizona with elevations from 5,000 to 6,000 feet are excellent for the production of a variety of small fruit.
This publication describes growth habit and characteristics of mesquite and palo verde trees for the urban landscape. Culture and problems are discussed.
Revised 4/2012. Originally published: 2003.
Arizona Agricultural Pesticide Applicator Training Manual for Certification and Continuing Education
This manual reviews basic information on pests, pesticides, and safety. It is important to realize that pesticide application should be only a part of an overall integrated pest management (IPM) plan. Hopefully, this information will help you become a safe and conscientious certified applicator
Many areas that use agricultural and environmental science for management and planning – ecosystem conservation, crop and livestock systems, water resources, forestry and wildland fire management, urban horticulture – often need historical records of daily weather for activities that range from
Training and pruning newly-planted deciduous fruit trees is one of the most important steps in developing trees with a strong framework (scaffold branches).