Publications

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.

Animal manures are an excellent source of nitrogen and phosphorus, and can be used to replace manufactured fertilizers in organic agricultural production. Manure has been used to supply plant nutrients and organic matter to the soil and as a method of animal waste disposal for centuries.

Almost any indoor environment is more pleasant and attractive when living plants are a part of the setting. Real enjoyment and consistent success with indoor plants depends on selecting the right plant for a given environmental situation.

originally authored by Charles Sacamano, Extension Horticulture Specialist, and Douglas A. Bailey, Assistant Professor, Plant Sciences

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.

The following are guidelines for the safe handling of foods grown in school gardens for use in the school cafeteria. Following these guidelines will help reduce contamination from pathogens and maintain a safe environment for children, volunteers, and teachers who work in the garden.

Strawberries are easy to grow. They provide the first fruit of the season, and are quick to bear. When harvested fully ripe in the home garden they have excellent flavor. In stores they can be expensive and are often harvested prior to being fully ripe. Various types of strawberries are available.

School gardens provide great teaching opportunities, while also encouraging healthy lifestyle choices. With sustainable school gardens growing more popular statewide, interest in serving garden grown produce in the school cafeteria is increasing.

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.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term management of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological controls, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, use of resistant varieties, and chemical

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.

Growers of organic produce in the Southwestern United States face many challenges, including variation in water and temperature, and exposure to insects and disease.

Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable item in the home garden but at the higher elevations of Arizona it becomes very difficult. Tomatoes have to be planted early enough to ripen fruit by fall yet not too early or they will be killed by a late spring frost.

Revised 10/2014. Originally Published 2002.

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.

The luxuriant tropical appearance and stately silhouette of palms add much to the Arizona landscape. Few other plants are as striking in low and mid elevation gardens.

Planting Guidelines; Container Trees and Shrubs (1998) Plant Selection and Selecting your Plants (2000) Selecting, Planting and Caring for Landscape Trees (DVD and VHS (2003); Originally published: 2006

This slide set with accompanying notes is intended to educate profesisonals in the nursery and landscape trade and lay people interested in proper horticultural practices related to selecting, planting and staking trees.