tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9298720133295495312024-02-20T09:44:11.931-07:00Living AerieAerie is the name given to the house and five acres of beautiful Sonoran Desert in which I live. This blog is my desire to share my love of homesteading, nature, and design.Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-70769765770839866052012-06-19T17:16:00.000-07:002012-06-19T17:16:06.614-07:00Mequite Harvest!<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is time to gather some heavenly goodness that is the
mesquite pods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesquite pods are
starting to drop now, maybe a week or two earlier than normal, but that is par
for the course this spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have many
mesquites on the property and most of them are the native velvet
mesquites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are also some hybrids that
have volunteered, born of the inescapable pollen from South American mesquites that
people have been planting in the region for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that while I have old natives,
their seeds are probably hybrid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Regardless of native or hybrid, when harvesting mesquite,
you will find a wide variety of pod styles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some are striped, some plain, some fat, some thin, some long, some
short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how do you decide what pods
will make the best flour? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(By the way, the
main use of mesquite harvesting is making flour.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you read the book Eat Mesquite! A Cookbook
by Desert Harvesters they recommend you try a pod or two from each tree to find
the sweetest, and I agree!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK3KjyRL4zPwY3f6Qw-Cq_dvxIn0Db3osTvnmiPT72K0zJ0TuG8lcPv7Sr1rOJ6k9MmcTkp4AKIHsQNRuyD7xfTahIiRSTu7DeJNRQOVlbuoNNsMMgemDtbQ4ZSDEDUsJdmyiS8Uc99nZ/s1600/IMG_5733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFK3KjyRL4zPwY3f6Qw-Cq_dvxIn0Db3osTvnmiPT72K0zJ0TuG8lcPv7Sr1rOJ6k9MmcTkp4AKIHsQNRuyD7xfTahIiRSTu7DeJNRQOVlbuoNNsMMgemDtbQ4ZSDEDUsJdmyiS8Uc99nZ/s320/IMG_5733.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two styles of mesquite pods, both from older native velvet mesquites. The thick ones on the left are easier to bite and only a little less sweet then the thinner ones on the right. This does not necessarily represent a norm.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Harvesting pods is relatively easy, you can pick up pods
that have dropped or pick them off the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you pick off the ground, you want to make sure they are clean of dirt
and that it is an area clean of pollutants like cat and dog poop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you pick off the tree, just lightly grab a
tan cluster and if they fall off easily, great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If not, leave them for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
is much more you can learn from Eat Mesquite! or the Desert Harvesters web
page, http://www.desertharvesters.org, but this can get you started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmUSlYNXlHtOLM83tiun08n_T7cJiq5wSGxVn09BjSrzH0lkI-c2vZlsDUDwAmXyBU6BC-mJmtDDkYLHSMH-3sEaU2aYpEXWMYcrj9e0PAht-q5PLqxQMWJukZWakoTI-do340lPKylwW/s1600/IMG_5735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmUSlYNXlHtOLM83tiun08n_T7cJiq5wSGxVn09BjSrzH0lkI-c2vZlsDUDwAmXyBU6BC-mJmtDDkYLHSMH-3sEaU2aYpEXWMYcrj9e0PAht-q5PLqxQMWJukZWakoTI-do340lPKylwW/s320/IMG_5735.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mesquite flour</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the past, I have saved my pods by freezing them to
kill the bruchid beetles that burrow into the pods to eat them and waited for a
milling time for my area by Desert Harvesters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This year, I decided to process my own flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because it is still very hot and dry out, I
am able to pick my pods and immediately process them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
they are moist however, they need to be dry or they will gum up any machinery
used to grind them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started with
cleaned, whole pods and placed about a handful into a Ninja Pro to do the first
processing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then poured the flour meal
into a flour sifter to obtain the fine flour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The remnants I than processed further by placing in a coffee bean
grinder and sifted a second time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
final product that did not grind, I will save and put in my compost pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you use a true flour grinder, you will
have very little that does not grind into flour.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzJ-vTYi52cdy8tEQamLs3UCGG7pg3bVX9gcCZaHvzEsDwu73B_xrAh-iplpaJldv3DKoLv9-YpFs7qmPxHJa4upJ4bj6LT3EzX9k6WaorA3r6rpJEPWztyGumV9BIVjXfg8nCKdyc3mZ/s1600/IMG_5736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQzJ-vTYi52cdy8tEQamLs3UCGG7pg3bVX9gcCZaHvzEsDwu73B_xrAh-iplpaJldv3DKoLv9-YpFs7qmPxHJa4upJ4bj6LT3EzX9k6WaorA3r6rpJEPWztyGumV9BIVjXfg8nCKdyc3mZ/s320/IMG_5736.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remnant seed hulls I will compost</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, I am saving the flour in the freezer at least
for a week to make sure the bugs have been killed Processing this way allows me
to manage my pods and flour so I may use flour sooner than waiting for a grinding
event and I won’t have to process and store lots of pods for long periods of
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can hardly wait to make
something yummy with the flour!</span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So after all that, why eat mesquite?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesquite is not only a great native shade
tree that provides wood for barbequing, but is a great resource for food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesquite pods are gluten free, typically non
allergenic, high in fiber, carbohydrates, and calories (the latter of which is not
necessarily good in abundance for a diet, but was great historically for the
natives who needed those calories,)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>is
often rich in phyto-nutrients, and has balanced amino acids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is also very tasty!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you have mesquites around, you can harvest
your own pods to make flour (easier than growing wheat on a small scale) and
start your baking wonders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">EAT LOCAL!</span></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-13021261217844014852012-05-20T20:27:00.001-07:002012-05-20T20:27:38.653-07:00My contribution to the solar eclipse photos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbPjZHDdHkNPVxU0kOm1sYLoceGn00dYEvBpSX-eWZkE-upCjtMN-WiVl25H2oQ19DkqAMpSw7E4bfz8ne7NKnlPLkGKr3ECzq5rdVRMHT1P-y4dlS7fRZQgWo3SxD9tVAGxTlV0o7fqQ/s1600/setting+eclipse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbPjZHDdHkNPVxU0kOm1sYLoceGn00dYEvBpSX-eWZkE-upCjtMN-WiVl25H2oQ19DkqAMpSw7E4bfz8ne7NKnlPLkGKr3ECzq5rdVRMHT1P-y4dlS7fRZQgWo3SxD9tVAGxTlV0o7fqQ/s320/setting+eclipse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting solar eclipse behind Picacho Peak, AZ</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhbldHNPfmjeR19ajG-vyHL0PYNJHvQNWwmG56TpbWItksxQ5muJply52uh7cH_q05VNLBH9NNmtDnnAeZxFF4sc2kBnUGRL7RV4ZY1d8ODvxgXKqOMq7aUoJUj5UFCZLindZwLuPkY_O/s1600/eclipse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDhbldHNPfmjeR19ajG-vyHL0PYNJHvQNWwmG56TpbWItksxQ5muJply52uh7cH_q05VNLBH9NNmtDnnAeZxFF4sc2kBnUGRL7RV4ZY1d8ODvxgXKqOMq7aUoJUj5UFCZLindZwLuPkY_O/s320/eclipse.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solar Eclipse 2012</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi___wvuo4G_7omWW2vYcya-G07dXg51FlySlLaxAS98wXpfRR5jd205keB0thkflZHfK2cM0p07aiipjufv1PIdxiYQ72CUQzSS_cCJ3_3Q-_zarNbF1SQaz5lEw5iCs7e92HXzdT8I-45/s1600/IMG_5600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi___wvuo4G_7omWW2vYcya-G07dXg51FlySlLaxAS98wXpfRR5jd205keB0thkflZHfK2cM0p07aiipjufv1PIdxiYQ72CUQzSS_cCJ3_3Q-_zarNbF1SQaz5lEw5iCs7e92HXzdT8I-45/s320/IMG_5600.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice two sun spots in the lower right</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKkAISQPLtmuMWUodAtGFhlvv8uoFFCfQc5HDLL6QJMNf1jJh1PRUpoms3iQ6u14Gc6LC2k086M-eHPxZuQNmmLqB_rQ8xA_4BXW6EX2JW3xNDfh1NC7hOwK-07NgFl0MGTkQjuie-VCK/s1600/IMG_5615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXKkAISQPLtmuMWUodAtGFhlvv8uoFFCfQc5HDLL6QJMNf1jJh1PRUpoms3iQ6u14Gc6LC2k086M-eHPxZuQNmmLqB_rQ8xA_4BXW6EX2JW3xNDfh1NC7hOwK-07NgFl0MGTkQjuie-VCK/s320/IMG_5615.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The setting solar eclipse behind Picacho Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-38642949097637227772012-05-15T17:10:00.002-07:002012-05-15T17:10:37.915-07:00Vegetable gardening timetable for the Tucson area Here is a timetable I created to help me plan for my vegetable garden that I thought others might appreciate.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkO6CSvySblrLmt_L_94Yo_M39-WYlAJIC02N5MPT2s7zl0QQ9WZmKG7CEVRplgbE1d_sWzHMTcse6qCf0Kt1HnS3ZaQGt2bWafF3f6SDAhrDYhxlXI4fF9Mfw9YTIjeexTadgMjrEYpq/s1600/vegetable+planting_Page_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVkO6CSvySblrLmt_L_94Yo_M39-WYlAJIC02N5MPT2s7zl0QQ9WZmKG7CEVRplgbE1d_sWzHMTcse6qCf0Kt1HnS3ZaQGt2bWafF3f6SDAhrDYhxlXI4fF9Mfw9YTIjeexTadgMjrEYpq/s640/vegetable+planting_Page_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh7HJoqWFyxWSFnSzPn6nOOVFU1A-WswcUPLJwQhVjZVSvvjdSq1i0_u9WPqyAPvhDfvNuXHQGulX9W-ZE2fTo7HiUXztRIlAqdE1a7Vi8o6Ua6hUxLZVWfziWhkEAOkF_4SaAeJsxXYg/s1600/vegetable+planting_Page_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDh7HJoqWFyxWSFnSzPn6nOOVFU1A-WswcUPLJwQhVjZVSvvjdSq1i0_u9WPqyAPvhDfvNuXHQGulX9W-ZE2fTo7HiUXztRIlAqdE1a7Vi8o6Ua6hUxLZVWfziWhkEAOkF_4SaAeJsxXYg/s640/vegetable+planting_Page_2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-53336598326613412762012-05-13T11:55:00.001-07:002012-05-13T11:55:32.298-07:00My Favorite Flowering Smaller Shrubs<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We last looked at my favorite trees and shrubs, so now it
is time to look at my favorite lower shrubs and groundcovers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the last post, I am focusing on
regionally native and locally native plants that are beautiful, but have other
uses as well.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blue mist or Gregg’s mist flower (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Conoclinium dissectum</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):
This low growing perennial has pale blue puff-like flowers that are great
attractors for the Queen butterfly as well as others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is native to the Chihuahua Desert so does
well on our local rainfall, although a little extra water will help it maintain
blooms longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also can slowly spread
from underground rhizomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stems are
only a foot to a foot and a half high and form a nice looking ground cover. </span></em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01a_bHVC-fHZxlSHvAhFwMa_uhmSx64xtGH5BaFLmKrtMiff_LLHSUax8fU0p-rh5urts11BcwPtF-2p3ITCHFll4IkqXlEiAX2JbWvS7NjLhojIvzS4cbR96LcWctQPeM0j-bCL6DPqX/s1600/IMG_8328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg01a_bHVC-fHZxlSHvAhFwMa_uhmSx64xtGH5BaFLmKrtMiff_LLHSUax8fU0p-rh5urts11BcwPtF-2p3ITCHFll4IkqXlEiAX2JbWvS7NjLhojIvzS4cbR96LcWctQPeM0j-bCL6DPqX/s320/IMG_8328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Autumn sage (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Salvia greggii</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):
This, too, is an evergreen perennial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This woody plant grows about two and half feet tall and wide and usually
has red, sometimes white, flowers punctuating the ends of the branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It blooms throughout the year except in the
coldest times and hummingbirds absolutely LOVE them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a great plant in a mixed border to
provide not only color, but to feed your hummers.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blackfoot daisies (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Melampodium leucanthum</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This somewhat dainty looking plant is a hardy
perennial with white daisies similar to Shasta daisies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This plant can be mixed in a border, but
really stands out en mass and the flowers can be cut to bring indoors. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not often mentioned as a butterfly
plant, but all daisy-like flowers will be visited by butterflies.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Desert marigold (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Baileya multiradiata</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):
This is a widespread perennial wildflower in our deserts around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It only shows itself in the wilds after good
rains and in the spring when the bright yellow daisy flowers pop above the low
growing basal leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in a landscape
that receives some regular water, it will bloom throughout the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> It makes a good cut flower, rare for desert flowers and the butterflies also like them. </span>It is definitely a ray of sunshine! Reseeds easily.</span></em></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sacred Datura (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Datura metaloides</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This unusual plant grows in areas where it
receives a little extra water (like along the edges of roadsides) and does not
look like it should belong here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has
large green leaves and large white trumpet shaped flowers that open over
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flowers are extremely
fragrant and pollinated by Sphinx moths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can die back in severe frosts, but often will return; otherwise it is
an evergreen perennial.</span></em></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Golden fleece (</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dyssodia pentachaeta</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small plant of less than one foot all
around usually grows in large masses and should be used as such.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They make great understory to larger upright
plants or in rock gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
bloom throughout the warm times of the year and will often </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">die back in the winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reseeds easily.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">7.</span>
</span></span></span><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Penstemon (lots of
types):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have tried only two penstemons,
firecracker and parryi. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both have done
well, but the parryi has stood out as more reliable year after year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Penstemons are perennials, but the flowers only
tend to bloom in the spring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, they
are quite striking and the hummingbirds love them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are best planted with other flowering shrubs
that hide the main plant, but allow the flower spikes to stand out above them,
in rock gardens, or en mass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reseeds
easily.</span></em><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></o:p></span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I hope you have a
great week and if you are interested in my favorite trees and shrubs, please
see the previous posts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is more to
come, so please stay tuned!</span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></em></div>
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</div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-21680012809398040992012-04-27T19:30:00.001-07:002012-05-13T13:45:30.224-07:00Desert Tested: Favorite Plants<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are a lot of native and regionally native plants to
choose from that do well here in the Sonoran Desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But while there is great diversity, there are
some standouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today, we’ll look at my
favorite trees and large shrubs (non cacti).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Trees</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mesquite: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mesquite, preferably velvet mesquite, is
probably my favorite of the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
can grow fast and tall with a little extra water and pruning; can look quite
dead, but add water and viola, new growth; gives a woodsy feel with its dark
trunk and deep green leaves; and provide a wonderful and nutritious food staple
with its bean pods.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Desert willow: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These trees, like all natives, will grow as
large as the watering/water table will let them (within reason).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They provide large orchid like flower
clusters and with breeding, now come in some real nice deep colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hummingbirds will feed on the flowers as
well, which is always a plus.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ironwood: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ironwood trees are considered slow growing,
but only to get established (2-5 years, assuming you bought and transplanted
yours). Once they have accepted their new site they can grow at a decent
rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are almost evergreen as they
will lose their leaves very briefly at flowering time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their seeds are also edible if you grind
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flower flush in early spring
provides a smoky lavender cloud that can be eye arresting.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Texas Mountain Laurel: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This small tree or large shrub has wonderful compound
oval leaves that give an unusual texture in the desert garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re also a bright, dark green, which is
unusual to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The show stopper,
however are the panicles of purple flower clusters that remind one of wisteria,
but with the most astounding fruit gum scent. It is a true slow grower and has large
red seeds born in grey seed pods (seeds can be poisonous), but I still feel
they are worth the effort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With time and
training, they can cover a wall or they can provide year round screening.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_cLci0RpJHF5C9ME5XwKcLvKHUfeja1ezUUw_5fndhGC1DRcyqCZm_QpETLroZDPaCQJnnTKAd-Odu8WPdq16r8Xej_qmREwKydTE0znMdx_-7LYQtvUv8ibs0OUlT1oBE8U0lQoImvt/s1600/Sophora_secundiflora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_cLci0RpJHF5C9ME5XwKcLvKHUfeja1ezUUw_5fndhGC1DRcyqCZm_QpETLroZDPaCQJnnTKAd-Odu8WPdq16r8Xej_qmREwKydTE0znMdx_-7LYQtvUv8ibs0OUlT1oBE8U0lQoImvt/s320/Sophora_secundiflora.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Sophora_secundiflora.html">http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Sophora_secundiflora.html</a></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Catclaw Acacia: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This unusual native is not for most
situations, but remains a favorite of mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It can get quite large, 20H’ x 30W’, but unlike most trees, it has the tendency
to branch low and wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is very
difficult to prune for an upright stature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, with some pruning and some age, it can be quite a specimen tree
with large twisting, low slung branches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It also has recurved thorns along the branches and stems that are very
nasty and therefore provide a great impenetrable barrier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shrubs</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jojoba: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jojoba
plants are slow growing and are dioecious (sexes are on two different plants)
making it necessary to get one of each sex if you want to harvest the jojoba
nut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jojoba is used commercially for the
oils found in the nut and can be used for homeopathy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the main reason I really like this plant
is its color and texture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has a warm
soft green tone to the leaves with hints of yellow and orange that gives it a
sunset glow appearance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The texture of
the medium sized oval leaves is also outstanding in the desert garden.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ocotillo: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although this plant leafs out only with good
rains, or watering, its vertical, spindly branches provide a unique accent in
the yard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the red flowers bloom,
they are frequented by hummingbirds as well.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Texas Ranger:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These have been widely used along freeways in the southwest for many
years, which has made them a bit ubiquitous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They also bear the unfortunate circumstance of being pruned into balls
and squares, which reduces the flowering ability of these plants as flowers
form on two year wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is
a large variety to choose from that takes them well beyond the freeway
familiarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This group of plants can
provide year round interest and stunning flushes of blooms related to the
monsoonal rains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can get a bit untamed
with time, but judicial and appropriate pruning will bring them back to glory.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hTOUbEqgyhY_OzM_tuiUdeIGt4auQbK3SKxape8ll6mqAyw-mxAFxLqeipLIg_tDDzaZfij0MtAzWJ0p5EN_eC5xcP_SFxet5bwOZiWIN2f1PErgQ3gL8q6XUgdh5FrX76KXLGt4gtMf/s1600/Leucophyllum%2520frutescens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hTOUbEqgyhY_OzM_tuiUdeIGt4auQbK3SKxape8ll6mqAyw-mxAFxLqeipLIg_tDDzaZfij0MtAzWJ0p5EN_eC5xcP_SFxet5bwOZiWIN2f1PErgQ3gL8q6XUgdh5FrX76KXLGt4gtMf/s320/Leucophyllum%2520frutescens.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/leucophyllumfrutescens.html">http://www.public.asu.edu/~camartin/plants/Plant%20html%20files/leucophyllumfrutescens.html</a></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Baja Fairy Duster and hybrids:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bright red flower ‘puffs’, actually the
flower stamens, are the most outstanding feature of these shrubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tend to retain the leaves and flowers
longer than the native species and are one of the very top hummingbird flowers
around. The plants do not tolerate freezes well, but they will recover with
warmer temps.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chaparral Sage: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one potently and pleasantly scented
plants, if you are into that kinda’ thing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The approximately 5’ x 5’ shrub has scented foliage
you can use similarly to lavender and has whorled purple flower ascending along
a central stem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hummingbirds also love
this plant.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS_NStkKQsK0CEwos7BOKKzKqpxHXXf1qpRdxALJaElxOSasCE-C2H_Rvoiz-FM3GnA0aoZFr-Af_WRRNajQeRfibau13ke7bcRq-gKyCOeOR1IwNGA6jdn9FXIjHzoizjxzsrMxNZIEP/s1600/Salvia_clevelandii_whole_web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinS_NStkKQsK0CEwos7BOKKzKqpxHXXf1qpRdxALJaElxOSasCE-C2H_Rvoiz-FM3GnA0aoZFr-Af_WRRNajQeRfibau13ke7bcRq-gKyCOeOR1IwNGA6jdn9FXIjHzoizjxzsrMxNZIEP/s320/Salvia_clevelandii_whole_web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.naturewideimages.com/7.html">http://www.naturewideimages.com/7.html</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are other shrubs I am still considering and
researching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The desert hackberry can be
utilized as a large impenetrable evergreen barrier plant that the song birds
and quail love while the Apache Plume I have heard many great things, but just recently
purchased and planted (so far, so good).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is also the widespread favorite, bougainvillea, which provides the
most stunning block of color against a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some of the above mentioned plants are still not widely known to many,
but I hope you will look into them further and see if any will work for you.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-10280246107408774242012-04-01T16:47:00.000-07:002012-04-01T16:47:02.352-07:00Living Aerie, Revisited<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sorry for not keeping my blog up more frequently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I actually contemplated removing it altogether for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But like most things in my life that bog me down, I know if I just wait long enough, things will be revived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get back into the swing of things, I thought I would write of some of the things that had been happening over the last six months and tie it into what Living Aerie means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For one, John and I have made the next step to getting married. Yea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been planning it for a few years now, but both of us were unemployed for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he works for the same company he use to before the economic down turn and I have started a business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brings in a regular, but not quite enough, income to pay the bills, while I bring in sporadic income through my fledgling landscape design business, Synergistic Landscape Design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tire of waiting for the stars to align, so I have gone to my first (and probably only) wedding expo and purchased my wedding dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No date is set yet, but it WILL happen this fall, even if it is on the doorsteps of the courthouse.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBGL-eTNRiF3Kb3s4_KHrlIFwkIN4ptg4xZqEH70Ii8KijVY6jpNrsuv63mQk_fndzR1JOiUpFi8nYfftauCtFnGGXa1FEqX6f-HITZxZ2SkHxwpdxtTz8hOwzygiQNCcqORhV8CR3n6P/s1600/2+1+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBGL-eTNRiF3Kb3s4_KHrlIFwkIN4ptg4xZqEH70Ii8KijVY6jpNrsuv63mQk_fndzR1JOiUpFi8nYfftauCtFnGGXa1FEqX6f-HITZxZ2SkHxwpdxtTz8hOwzygiQNCcqORhV8CR3n6P/s320/2+1+09.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">John and Theresa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The second thing that has happened recently was just mentioned, I started my own business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know a lot about master planning, water harvesting, and native plants, but running my own business goes way beyond that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It involves marketing (with a VERY limited budget,) figuring out taxes and legalities (something I am still figuring out,) and figuring out the details of residential design that I did not learn in my masters program (things like building codes and furnishing details.) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been fortunate to have had 3 clients ranging in scale of difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of learning going on here.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPA2qM43coohjoe2MYzlnmZX6TGWbZff4_NcCETKDagc-CC6pOvzAwOaY0MCPU1ish3C-ztJlDPQJU_pmEawoRZqcOvTS4FywNk32wP7MNVsBW9PbiGSW9AwYr5XmwFJHGcw4dNN-jhQP/s1600/new+plants+final_Page_1+sharing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPA2qM43coohjoe2MYzlnmZX6TGWbZff4_NcCETKDagc-CC6pOvzAwOaY0MCPU1ish3C-ztJlDPQJU_pmEawoRZqcOvTS4FywNk32wP7MNVsBW9PbiGSW9AwYr5XmwFJHGcw4dNN-jhQP/s320/new+plants+final_Page_1+sharing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A planting plan using regionally native plants that attract butterflies and hummingbirds</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmbrqthJHErz4fzJeuV0K0S0ecuowtxmVOtgVhVNHwo7qmaaZS7wN17IUPmcsL9r8Oj2ckVWn1b1sHD0UpKwbeEd1QtNDNcVGfchZBwxu-jabN9iKUcSkt0LM7iSXEfH-TtgW37feYMx/s1600/IMG_5038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHmbrqthJHErz4fzJeuV0K0S0ecuowtxmVOtgVhVNHwo7qmaaZS7wN17IUPmcsL9r8Oj2ckVWn1b1sHD0UpKwbeEd1QtNDNcVGfchZBwxu-jabN9iKUcSkt0LM7iSXEfH-TtgW37feYMx/s320/IMG_5038.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Calibri;">The fledgling plants after install</span></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="left" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have also been raising our now 9 month old pup, Osa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has been a pleasure and a challenge; neither of us has raised a pup before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is a Sheppard mix and extremely intelligent, which is part of the challenge and of course pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She loves to eat wood and run through my gardens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have also had a stray tomcat adopt us a month ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He comes and goes as he pleases, which has taken some getting used to as my other 2 cats are mostly indoors and only go out when I am out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had an appointment set to get him fixed, but he disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had kept him inside for 2 days to make sure he didn’t disappear, but he escaped the day before and now I have to reschedule.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpsVJ7GowUsgTwOvzGsyLqKkTIvcRhNohiHdirR74wYezbTP2j-uWbDs8gWCcyVzSzfYfr7FWCEtpfGocc_gwf4vgvP9Jt41uO4qrx-X-zHsAX4dtx0iPJk9Dgetf5h_l0rdGBb62-ceP/s1600/IMG_4159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpsVJ7GowUsgTwOvzGsyLqKkTIvcRhNohiHdirR74wYezbTP2j-uWbDs8gWCcyVzSzfYfr7FWCEtpfGocc_gwf4vgvP9Jt41uO4qrx-X-zHsAX4dtx0iPJk9Dgetf5h_l0rdGBb62-ceP/s320/IMG_4159.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Osa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-M-e1I3t9mFVheNeQtU4gaJD2VoShbvhNqUx9hu3hts5laHbNgO_3y2xHUL-2xLOSdjhO_LwTK0859M47AggmrzbYujpiE3a_BtQXhrurEGhn8tRYTfliDIn6eWWwzSTBYEC4lUGRQi4/s1600/IMG_5034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-M-e1I3t9mFVheNeQtU4gaJD2VoShbvhNqUx9hu3hts5laHbNgO_3y2xHUL-2xLOSdjhO_LwTK0859M47AggmrzbYujpiE3a_BtQXhrurEGhn8tRYTfliDIn6eWWwzSTBYEC4lUGRQi4/s320/IMG_5034.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">Midnight</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now to tie it into Living Aerie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As mentioned in the bio part of this blog, Aerie is the name of the five acres of lush desert that I live in – yes this desert is lush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also involves the ‘living’ part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living involves the humans’ needs and desires and how they interact with this environment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So along with the development of outdoor entertainment areas, I have been preparing part of the property for a possible wedding site, even though John does not want to marry here it still remains a back-up plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This property also allows me to practice some of my design ideas that might get incorporated in a client’s plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And finally, I always thought I would be a good pioneer/homesteader, and so I focus a lot of efforts towards achieving a great degree of personal reliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In order to keep this blog from getting to long winded, I will take these concepts further in future writings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ta ta for now: keep your hands in the dirt, your face to the wind, and your mind turned on.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-13431346889682453622011-08-15T11:58:00.005-07:002011-08-15T12:09:20.092-07:00Determining your flood risk<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">With all the recent flooding happening both in the Midwest and regionally (due to recent wildfires), now seems like a good time to talk about the flood potential of where you live in the desert southwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>When you live in the desert, most people don’t think much about flood preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are times when it can flood severely, typically in a floodplain like anywhere else. There is a second type of flooding that can affect more people – that of sheet flooding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sheet flooding is when enough rain falls on a gentle slope that it no longer sinks into the soil, but moves downhill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This type of flooding can still build up a decent depth, and I am planning for six inches max on my property near the house(I do like to over prepare).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When determining what potential flooding may happen on your land, there are several factors you must consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is the lay of the land?</i> Is it flat, in a depression or hill top, or on a slope? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check your local city or county maps or codes to determine if you are in a known floodplain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you find you are outside of a floodplain, you may still want to look at your topography to determine if sheet flooding or large ponding may affect you.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What is your soil like?</i> Sandy soil will drain much faster than clay soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This difference can easily determine the flood potential of your land.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What are the average rainfall and the historic greatest rainfall, especially in a shorter period of time, for your area?</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am rural, and I don’t have exact numbers for rainfall in my area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know Tucson averages around 12 inches a year, and that is a good start, but there are other ways of figuring my area out, as I will show you.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ok, so you have these questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How do you find the answers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I stated earlier, you might find some relevant information from your city, town, or county land use maps and other related local websites and agencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if these are not available to you, than there are other governmental entities that can help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For topography, you can explore your area or get a topo map from the USGS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting a general lay of the land will help you understand the potential of water entering your site from the surrounding land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To get a better understanding of all three questions, a great website is the NRCS website at </span><a href="http://soils.usda.gov/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://soils.usda.gov/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Click on the soil survey tab at the top and then the web soil survey link.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This site is a bit technical and difficult to run on some computers, but it will give you some of the best information out there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are unable to use this site, think creatively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes you can hire a firm to get you all the information you want, or you can save some money and hire a student in the geology, landscape architecture, or planning departments at a local college to look up this website for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another website I use and is good for southwestern climate is from the Western Regional Climate Center at </span><a href="http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> ; look at the historical information.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All of this information so far can only help you so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you are like most people, a good example will go far in helping you understand things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this end, and because this blog is about where I live, I will use my property as an example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lay of the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From looking out my window and from exploring the area, I can tell there is a general slope from east to west (Fig. 1).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know that immediately around me as well as at the larger scale, the topography is gently rolling with braided washes of various widths and depths weaving their way downslope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know from my observations and from Google Earth that there is a slight hill to my east south east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hill blocks views of houses I know are there in the distance and the earth image confirms it with the darker lines created by denser vegetation at washes leading away from a central area (Fig. 2).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the property, I have watched how water runs during rain to get a good idea of how the water flows across my landscape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This information I than transferred to a drawing; (Fig. 3) a computer drawing in my case, but it could be hand drawn just as easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now I have the general lay of the land, let’s move on to the soils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I know from experience through digging that I generally have loamy soils with lots of rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sandy areas exist in the washes and there are some areas of clay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But more information would make me feel better, especially as the NRCS analysis will tell me of the greater picture surrounding me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what does this analysis tell me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It tells me I live in the <span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Bucklebar-Hayhook complex (a complex is two or more soils intricately mixed) with 1% to 10% slopes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In general, these soil types are found from 2090 to 2990 foot elevation with an annual precipitation of 10 to 12 inches of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are formed on fan terraces and consist of mixed alluvium soil that is mainly sandy loam with some clay loam and are well draining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The analysis also tells me that the depth to the water table is greater than 80 inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This confirms my analysis and expands it to the larger area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I learned more about the rainfall and was reassured that long lasting flooding would not likely happen due to the well draining soil and deep groundwater table.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally, the rainfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just learned that there is an average rainfall of 10 to 12 inches for this area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also know Tucson averages just over 12 inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I want to know more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have kept inconsistent rainfall data in the 12 years I have lived here and found that I average around 10.75 inches of rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But if you do not have your own data, you may want to ask your neighbors if anyone has collected information over the years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you are rural like I am, I live approximately 25 miles from Tucson; you can look for closer known data.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it is the town of Red Rock found on the Western Regional Climate Center website.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red Rock averages 9.78 Inches of precipitation a year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am upslope and closer to some mountains so I should receive more which aligns with my own tally.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hopefully this will get you started on informing yourself of the flood potential you have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next time, we will look at the strategies I am employing to mitigate my flood potentials.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNLtgZBE4EjBGV44Am3vuQFxTaHRjMqU1_TmcjdURgyJKPZIqnPkMvW96Hcso_bHJQJsRF1fhonXQu3mc69uTrWJK6YsLBCO4z0r5SLmxJGXppGe6NpWW8b1MXnyBRT_koctIS2yPOchC/s1600/slope.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNLtgZBE4EjBGV44Am3vuQFxTaHRjMqU1_TmcjdURgyJKPZIqnPkMvW96Hcso_bHJQJsRF1fhonXQu3mc69uTrWJK6YsLBCO4z0r5SLmxJGXppGe6NpWW8b1MXnyBRT_koctIS2yPOchC/s320/slope.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fig. 1<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>North out the kitchen window<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The slope flows from east to west and is between 3-7%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This area is half way down a bajada or alluvial fan slope of the northwest part of the Tortolita Mountains. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRvLOlT_83IL84EzdMbS59rLx5mcTlvKaRtsl3JLy_ndw4Xyg7Ei1ekD_9KhmFpYnxIIbZOV-HkiRyD9F-m9pxxHcEdXaY3DEg8GH3SmRsd4c_Thw2dyaU-xMyOJXfjav1wmHheEXT8d1/s1600/hill+aerial+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRvLOlT_83IL84EzdMbS59rLx5mcTlvKaRtsl3JLy_ndw4Xyg7Ei1ekD_9KhmFpYnxIIbZOV-HkiRyD9F-m9pxxHcEdXaY3DEg8GH3SmRsd4c_Thw2dyaU-xMyOJXfjav1wmHheEXT8d1/s320/hill+aerial+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fig. 2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Graphic using Google Earth and Photoshop <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>showing the nearby hill and large scale water flow<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You can determine high points on a topographical map or aerial by noting the layout of washes, highlighted here in grey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The property is the dot on the left and the oval denotes the hill.</span></span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJVw8QG-tvrNTzIQdmPzhznzKRwBuEOjMl9fWYszIM61H3gfvUhdDEzAnXy9ULrMaKKVAo21joKjPpSe0T9qtbU8JbsjZxN_9PPkpd4QxRQRtKBge7V6Ep8bZrOcj5WeBCJ_t7arNnJz5/s1600/marana+property+water+flow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJVw8QG-tvrNTzIQdmPzhznzKRwBuEOjMl9fWYszIM61H3gfvUhdDEzAnXy9ULrMaKKVAo21joKjPpSe0T9qtbU8JbsjZxN_9PPkpd4QxRQRtKBge7V6Ep8bZrOcj5WeBCJ_t7arNnJz5/s320/marana+property+water+flow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fig. 3<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medium scale of water flow on the property using Google Earth and Photoshop<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The larger blue lines show the locations of the current main water channels that flow only during heavier rainfall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The blue swath is the potential flooded areas associated with the main wash during the most extreme events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, the smaller arrows show sheet flow with the only threat to the house coming from the drive parking area to the east of the house.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-63239967646841596602011-06-05T12:27:00.001-07:002011-06-15T13:31:35.252-07:00Photo Essay, Spring 2011Well, this spring has been rather lackluster in wildflowers due to the extreme drought that continues. However, that doesn't mean there isn't beauty to behold. So I bring you a brief photo essay of this spring.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqp_t2CK2jhfJt2uiaabqdZKoc6WLbc12mpMInFJMmgFIy4_7LtgZbsLX8U_FDnrgWojErFo6ju_KxV0u0osRGdBL5_YfN8QdnvjMXK_pC3c_dmRnaa3xNkk78K7yQbU3lolu2pyub2pL/s1600/IMG_1877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqp_t2CK2jhfJt2uiaabqdZKoc6WLbc12mpMInFJMmgFIy4_7LtgZbsLX8U_FDnrgWojErFo6ju_KxV0u0osRGdBL5_YfN8QdnvjMXK_pC3c_dmRnaa3xNkk78K7yQbU3lolu2pyub2pL/s320/IMG_1877.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Penstemon parryi</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGJxdReObK38edcpQBsMP28ooNfzJYc5JXYL7MTJGVKlgM8GUVI6YSqOhUslucyG6z49VSsue9Bx8A-kU-TXAmefodMD3tZ7XnoIQsbfnRKnAAhXaQ96LVmEWeIzoQLwE6Fn2QFL8xxRQ/s1600/IMG_2014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjGJxdReObK38edcpQBsMP28ooNfzJYc5JXYL7MTJGVKlgM8GUVI6YSqOhUslucyG6z49VSsue9Bx8A-kU-TXAmefodMD3tZ7XnoIQsbfnRKnAAhXaQ96LVmEWeIzoQLwE6Fn2QFL8xxRQ/s320/IMG_2014.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Datura meteloides</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aTmToR0ZdU47mDD07ew2r1b6fZ70F_vdZ0DFGNo50cSLBEmowA91diU06C2YjI9xd119czpKAgoKtw-YsmsxMhgy3a2g1qDLffAfNfm3F-_ZoUvyHjILWHYC1c0y2Rw0yzN_L72FdWkH/s1600/IMG_2041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aTmToR0ZdU47mDD07ew2r1b6fZ70F_vdZ0DFGNo50cSLBEmowA91diU06C2YjI9xd119czpKAgoKtw-YsmsxMhgy3a2g1qDLffAfNfm3F-_ZoUvyHjILWHYC1c0y2Rw0yzN_L72FdWkH/s320/IMG_2041.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Echinopsis 'LA' hybrid</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3g6O117k5ol9db4znvyYVwk3JowZNy6yc5ruxPViXdLarHPebomikriD9vewv33xh2T5nBBugKS-jXJTC32l8NP_r1bCFKVYNzGuvROA01VSJYHjKi42LUYb5o6Uxjr82Zkww-etedn/s1600/IMG_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm3g6O117k5ol9db4znvyYVwk3JowZNy6yc5ruxPViXdLarHPebomikriD9vewv33xh2T5nBBugKS-jXJTC32l8NP_r1bCFKVYNzGuvROA01VSJYHjKi42LUYb5o6Uxjr82Zkww-etedn/s320/IMG_2073.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Echinopsis 'LA' hybrid</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm51uIYAIiNTS7Xw04yujVt0XlEc9_wK9N72aHQUDFG2GlbBSlxZofq5I0vrkZ43rQCfMBd63gfgzSMInl3_mKiR_B1OMosABCxx2F7q0cIkY7ymhHbsyr3nn6Q3TQWwX_8rH3fPTSbqx/s1600/IMG_2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsm51uIYAIiNTS7Xw04yujVt0XlEc9_wK9N72aHQUDFG2GlbBSlxZofq5I0vrkZ43rQCfMBd63gfgzSMInl3_mKiR_B1OMosABCxx2F7q0cIkY7ymhHbsyr3nn6Q3TQWwX_8rH3fPTSbqx/s320/IMG_2134.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mesquite</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ4UHzHNHg7zh0GV5AK1wcl9QuRmFrKvW3zRFfjDgO-PvxTOuU6SuvGbMqs3JZGxQ7-Z3oBfDVeAkE5lUXbdjc2hq6rvAvspu_w6oh8pc16-zAT_UDIhBBQFtuqWxWW0zWH2JiAUcLjzF/s1600/IMG_2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ4UHzHNHg7zh0GV5AK1wcl9QuRmFrKvW3zRFfjDgO-PvxTOuU6SuvGbMqs3JZGxQ7-Z3oBfDVeAkE5lUXbdjc2hq6rvAvspu_w6oh8pc16-zAT_UDIhBBQFtuqWxWW0zWH2JiAUcLjzF/s320/IMG_2138.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salvia farinacea</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwfc4BGoA3px_Ba1OdnP-wPIdIDBaaeCVkd228R20TPvIKISX-yMAaNHf2TcQYjLZd_ZA2QRsTVZlQVH5kG81aldp7i5Mg3mIL1i5XTdjN6k2o6NuE3b-tM52loejwHlYe75v_reZtRQe/s1600/IMG_1870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwfc4BGoA3px_Ba1OdnP-wPIdIDBaaeCVkd228R20TPvIKISX-yMAaNHf2TcQYjLZd_ZA2QRsTVZlQVH5kG81aldp7i5Mg3mIL1i5XTdjN6k2o6NuE3b-tM52loejwHlYe75v_reZtRQe/s320/IMG_1870.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Desert spiny lizard</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEcrYY07XzdYjZW9wtJEp9h9JiSFREJZyJVYwHzaKQTGka-5shBr8N1mw32bPykSD9pSmuMm9dYexzYz49cGT5rRgi6-egiamUp5G-VHsbEhkkoC0-KrmgDIM3kfQXxWz7stUNy4neQ9K/s1600/IMG_2322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEcrYY07XzdYjZW9wtJEp9h9JiSFREJZyJVYwHzaKQTGka-5shBr8N1mw32bPykSD9pSmuMm9dYexzYz49cGT5rRgi6-egiamUp5G-VHsbEhkkoC0-KrmgDIM3kfQXxWz7stUNy4neQ9K/s320/IMG_2322.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wilson's warbler</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNYN32BeGbncxcuDKJq_D4t58vMJg-n4LV6TohSy7DfNna_r0QVENBpgrZEDlxOHHTerZxOUzEYLT0HtslraGvk8WbHO6lTFbZM0OtA59tXow1NRlCF7B0UpAC13Z2Q1cXa-GWnz5Zj-S/s1600/IMG_2276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNYN32BeGbncxcuDKJq_D4t58vMJg-n4LV6TohSy7DfNna_r0QVENBpgrZEDlxOHHTerZxOUzEYLT0HtslraGvk8WbHO6lTFbZM0OtA59tXow1NRlCF7B0UpAC13Z2Q1cXa-GWnz5Zj-S/s320/IMG_2276.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gilded flicker</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w0FsfXh00BXcolB8gRU62OBo5AAJW4AEK_naqBIxSyPc8ViHxF8RgBsHCtx7ClFVoO8nKIzy789t4Fqln7gXHCcI_2GeRLQks90lI2y4xyproAW5bz_Qp5Jcs65Pp1EHW2sAeHgZoUuw/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2w0FsfXh00BXcolB8gRU62OBo5AAJW4AEK_naqBIxSyPc8ViHxF8RgBsHCtx7ClFVoO8nKIzy789t4Fqln7gXHCcI_2GeRLQks90lI2y4xyproAW5bz_Qp5Jcs65Pp1EHW2sAeHgZoUuw/s320/IMG_1999.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mourning dove</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf3tSXlF8HyAvimVCDzb6ERAevn5Z9iit2jrZzsG-ze_wzT-qKn4Vh4YnZEmSlrFYz_E70ochqcME_GN-r4bHfWSqHEHsDX9QKQ8hS82SUWcrIRP6GeRiNHrPHjhH4yzXEqwVtWtULrS8/s1600/IMG_1971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijf3tSXlF8HyAvimVCDzb6ERAevn5Z9iit2jrZzsG-ze_wzT-qKn4Vh4YnZEmSlrFYz_E70ochqcME_GN-r4bHfWSqHEHsDX9QKQ8hS82SUWcrIRP6GeRiNHrPHjhH4yzXEqwVtWtULrS8/s320/IMG_1971.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Beavertail prickly pear</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUQ6e8XBNpGmjFKcVki-aWdrtLg7E3WIwyfLYgYaatFVnrYcwJ0Y6YJoBVaA_TYchZfXXyAnWJoWkyAkjs2D1Ag11Uo2efImtPbBztcIpbdyONkzzy4QzZrk2EhFVIL5R05U1PGeQMlb9/s1600/IMG_2285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUQ6e8XBNpGmjFKcVki-aWdrtLg7E3WIwyfLYgYaatFVnrYcwJ0Y6YJoBVaA_TYchZfXXyAnWJoWkyAkjs2D1Ag11Uo2efImtPbBztcIpbdyONkzzy4QzZrk2EhFVIL5R05U1PGeQMlb9/s320/IMG_2285.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Staghorn cholla</div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-34157068848066516862011-06-04T16:31:00.000-07:002011-06-04T16:31:57.244-07:00Musings: The desert waits<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So it is early June and we continue to be under extreme drought conditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sit on the deck reading a book called the Natural History of the Senses written by Diane Ackerman, listening to a very talkative bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The desert spawns small dust devils and the smell of heat vaguely reminds me of the California State Fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is the mingled smells of hot wood and metal, but not so pungent since there is a distinct lack of humanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees have bloomed and started to set seed, but unlike last year, both are sparse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still I partake of some fresh palo verde beans at just the right stage of development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fresh palo verde beans are similar to fresh peas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are legumes and I anticipate when I can harvest the dry beans to test cook to see if they can become something like baked beans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be nice to learn how to use what naturally grows here, but I digress a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The breeze is dry and fairly steady and the one bird talks like a chatty Cathy; it is otherwise silent here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bunnies vie for water dripping from a hose, thrashers hop around looking for something to eat, and the trees look like they’re waiting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are green with meager fresh growth, but not the lush green that comes with monsoons. The desert is waiting, waiting for the next season-the one of rain and humidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The season of distinct temperature changes from the heat of the early day to the sudden cool that comes with the afternoon downpours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees wait, the animals anticipate, and I look forward.</span></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-39930934462847143202011-05-01T21:03:00.001-07:002011-05-01T21:03:51.254-07:00Desert homesteading<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many ways to be self sufficient, and as time continues, you will see our unique ways of trying to be so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in the very bio-diverse Sonoran Desert on the west facing bajada of the Tortolita Mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What does this mean? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means that traditional western farming, even small family farming, would not be very successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we have five acres, about a third is occupied by a wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That, plus my love for nature and wildlife, limits the room we can use to grow food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Furthermore, I am the main yardwork/gardener person and I am not the best with machinery, though I can do basic mechanics and use many machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I find I prefer handiwork to get things accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, my fianc<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">é</span> John is better with maintenance and operations of the necessary machines we use.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So how can we grow enough to feed two people regularly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I just said, we live in the very bio-diverse Sonoran Desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means ALMOST EVERYTHING IS EDIBLE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while we plan to grow some common food crops in garden beds (corn, tomatoes, peppers, squash, etc.), I also am familiarizing myself with the many native food crops that grow here naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of these foods are: cholla buds, mesquite beans, palo verde beans, prickly pear pads and fruit, saguaro fruit, and several native leafy greens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add some traditional perennial crops harvested by the natives before this area was colonized by Europeans, like agave and yucca, and you can add some unique regional flavors to the daily cuisine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, this doesn’t even include animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we are seriously thinking about adding some chickens, anything bigger is a little more questionable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But again, nature provides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We may not have much in the way of large game most hunters are familiar with, but we have numerous quail, cottontail and jack rabbits, javalina, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>small varmints, and occasionally deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The goal is to live harmoniously within our environment while being as self reliant as possible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We still have a lot to learn, but I will share this journey with you.</span></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-21608416606178769142011-04-19T20:36:00.000-07:002011-04-23T13:48:24.476-07:00Observations: Spring 2011<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This spring has been a good one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why do I say this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not because of the spring wildflower show, which hardly happened this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is because the weeds have stayed down and the temperatures keep bouncing back to cooler degrees after short bursts of unseasonable warmth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last spring was a great wildflower show, but wildflowers also mean weeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fall and early winter rains that cause good spring wildflower shows did not happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead, this is the perfect spring to get a lot of yard work done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things we have accomplished so far are severe pruning (1/4 to 1/3) off of several mesquite trees, removing cholla, creosote, and bursage out of proposed gathering areas, and the building of two out of nine vegetable garden beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lack of herbaceous weeds and the somewhat normal temps have been a big plus during all of this heavy yard work.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Much of this work has been done in the past; however, it has been a few years since some of the areas have been cleared and they had almost fully grown over with plants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since I plan to marry on our property and I now have larger gatherings thanks to John’s large family and many friends, it was time to clean out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree pruning should be done every few years to help shape the trees and remove the weighty new growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we have gathering areas, camping areas, and shade trees to rest under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In conjunction with the clearing, I have put in many hours designing and implementing a kitchen garden south of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to use this not only to grow much of our food, but also to act as a test garden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are some of the pictures and renderings to explain my plans.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxK4WYaWVfjYnS2xyggydh4m2BWwjMtuMap41Z9DF_hdp356ZkvRz5iDFlFDNPLuPgwEAUXMw5MMuVxx4B1zJmA4rsPs1Kv5xzPOaIw0pGoNWkYLkaBfS_4bzW5MJ_wwaDF0FSxuEpd8i/s1600/kitchen+garden+rendering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxK4WYaWVfjYnS2xyggydh4m2BWwjMtuMap41Z9DF_hdp356ZkvRz5iDFlFDNPLuPgwEAUXMw5MMuVxx4B1zJmA4rsPs1Kv5xzPOaIw0pGoNWkYLkaBfS_4bzW5MJ_wwaDF0FSxuEpd8i/s320/kitchen+garden+rendering.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />
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Early stages of veggie bed build using reclaimed free brick and homemade compost.<br />
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Good luck with your endeavors! I'll keep you posted with how this all goes.Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-81528045540302300722011-02-13T18:41:00.000-07:002011-02-13T18:43:07.428-07:00Apples in the desert<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before we get to the trees, I would like to tell you why fruit trees and why this blog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have designs to use my 5 acres to homestead harmoniously within the beautiful desert that surrounds me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many strategies I will employ and you will get to know them through other post further down the line. It is my hope that others can learn through my experiences, for good or bad, so here it goes.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now, apple trees in the desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might say, Reeaally?! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it can be done – with the right varieties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people in the west are probably accustomed to ‘apple hills,” orchards of apples around the 4000’ elevation, usually along the foothills of some mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But there are varieties that can grow in warmer climes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, it is the Anna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Anna was born in Israel and is the one to choose in my vicinity at the 2300’ elevation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Known as one of the apple tree varieties with the least amount of chill required to get fruit, it is often used around here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A neighbor has had one for over a decade and it does fairly well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By the way, that is the best way to find out what tree to plant in your part of the desert – start with successful varieties that are growing around you or at least in a similar climate and microclimate zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jim Koweek, in his book, “Just Add Water,” recommends placing trees in a wind protected area, around here that is on the north-northeast side of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other trees used as windbreaks can also work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided to place two Anna’s Apple trees on the north side of my house, on the edge of a side wash – an off shoot of a larger wash to the north, that gets flowing water only in the heavier storms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This placement is similar to my neighbor’s and should help cooler air flow around the trees in the summer as well as add natural rainwater to the diet. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This probably is not a good idea in most areas, but we are on the warmer end of things, with fewer occurrences of hard freezes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To help minimize freeze damage, I placed the trees on a bench a foot above the wash.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will also put large boulders near the trees to act as both bank reinforcements and winter heat islands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the spring and summer, mesquite and a desert willow will help shade the area to lessen the heat buildup and act as wind breaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some information about Anna’s: they are prolific bearers, so thinning is needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are also self fertile, although another variety planted nearby is recommended to make the fruit more round and extend the harvest season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also bruise easily, which is why you don’t see them in the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anna’s are crisp, sweet, and slightly tart, and are good all around apples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another thing about fruit trees in the desert, they may do well one year and not so well for 2-3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, I would love to have some apples and I am willing to have a few slow years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Follow along to see how they do.</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV8kpZcasxANp1U8u7-anBPQbiOdCjKrDO8iPWrM7i9WDbzTVv_PLEJWtaLUtZWNG3BRSUoXmdQITRBpCfxf90yBF3isVqSqRi6RTghQEhxP4uO3zZnmWxMajRKmTvykG70Z_ZTLrSAqz/s1600/IMG_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcV8kpZcasxANp1U8u7-anBPQbiOdCjKrDO8iPWrM7i9WDbzTVv_PLEJWtaLUtZWNG3BRSUoXmdQITRBpCfxf90yBF3isVqSqRi6RTghQEhxP4uO3zZnmWxMajRKmTvykG70Z_ZTLrSAqz/s320/IMG_1539.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-5187651773240550592011-01-10T18:31:00.000-07:002011-01-10T18:31:33.647-07:00Cooperation and Respect<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been a couple days now and the initial shock is over for me regarding the attempted assassination of Gabrielle Giffords, though I still cry on occasion when I think of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still pray for Gabrielle and those affected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe Rep. Giffords to be one of the most reasonable, fully engaged with her constituents congresspeople to grace those halls in many years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I see this incident more as a way to potentially bring about some restraint on our political leaders in their divisive rhetoric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The direction of the national media in particular to try to put cause and effect of hate mongering speech with Jared Loughner’s actions, however is missing the point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below is my thoughts that I have sent to Diane Sawyer as well as one of our local media stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will not find me speaking on such things often, but this is something I felt compelled to do</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I would like to ask that people stop focusing on if fear mongering rhetoric caused Jared Loughner to want to kill Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These people are missing the point, whether or not political rhetoric was an influence with him, people are expressing their fear that hate and fear speech is degrading to society and will call the weak minded and unstable people out to do the actions the ‘leaders’ speak of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a great NEED to become a more civilized society, where disagreements can be discussed with respect and solved with some meeting of the minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all someone’s loved one, we all feel, most participate, and all struggle with something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cooperation and respect are the keys needed if this country has a future.</span></div>Theresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929872013329549531.post-62440654738211958422011-01-07T12:37:00.000-07:002011-01-07T13:16:12.634-07:00Musings - winter in the desertJohn and I recently returned from a trip to my mother's house in the mountains of southern New Mexico and I realized along the drive that I still love my desert the best. My mom's place is nice as it lies among the pinyon pine/juniper ecological zone with better summer temperatures and minimal snowfall. But it is quiet. I mean REALLY quiet. Where we live in the rural Sonoran Desert, there is just a little sound of humanity, planes, distant trains, and the occasional barking dog or passing vehicle. But there is bird song, lots and lots of bird songs. It is not really quite here. But my mom's place has no sound but the occasional sonic boom from nearby Holloman AFB and a rare vehicle or chainsaw. It is eerie, hardly ever any animal sounds. I have thought about moving to her general vicinity, but the cons still outweigh the pros. Among them are jobs, though I haven't found one in my field of landscape architecture yet, and the fact I own property here that I love. Part of the draw to stay is the proximity to a medium sized metropolitan area (Tucson), John's ample family, and the fact the desert stays green in the winter time.<br />
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Back to my trip home from mom's. We start in the mountains; go uphill to see the aspens and firs before heading back down to Alamogordo. This is the nearest town of decent size to my mom's and while I enjoy its small town charms and historic district, it is barren. There are hardly any trees and many shades of brown. So onwards we go, through the White Sands of NM to Las Cruces. This town is closer to the size of Tucson with more trees and the Rio Grande 'flowing' through it. But it is still many shades of brown. Further down the road is a repetitive scene of creosote and yucca Chihuahua Desert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I happen to love these scenes; I am one of those who enjoy geology, ecology, and I still love to look out of the windows in airplanes – but when we finally enter the Tucson area where the Chihuahua Desert transitions to the Sonoran, I light up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the similar geography as found in southern New Mexico (basin and range) but there are trees; trees that stay green in the winter time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there is one of the greatest diversity of plants and animals found in the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrive at our place, we are greeted with birdsong and running rabbits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the winter here, palo verde trees stay green due to their photosynthesizing trunks and colors range from pale greens to reds in the vast variety of plants from various chollas, shrubs like creosote and triangle leaf bursage, columnar cacti like the famous saguaro and the less famous barrel cactus, and six species of trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are dozens of bird species that stay here, as well as cottontails, jack rabbits, antelope squirrel, pack rats and kangaroo rats, many lizards and a few snakes, the occasional coyotes, bobcats, and rarely a deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This place feels ALIVE and I am home.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCRgGe06aFeYMJvbL2drKXXtMjOZL8HkczCxTgBFYFWz-RavNAdv9LyTE2c87xYTvpSGqWBWeO0VNGzG4s3VYVcUoSffwZvVod_jga7ZWu_W1H52kjvlku_4FMBvD-mmguA5fFpCEW5-8/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCRgGe06aFeYMJvbL2drKXXtMjOZL8HkczCxTgBFYFWz-RavNAdv9LyTE2c87xYTvpSGqWBWeO0VNGzG4s3VYVcUoSffwZvVod_jga7ZWu_W1H52kjvlku_4FMBvD-mmguA5fFpCEW5-8/s320/IMG_1078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Mom's place <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gk4p9RaFarSnc8gjPdWpPwS-C-MXCGkHV2cdnRH7TJjaYo2AGSAbnJFKm9YUO8ft8t_py5iBlg9U6PgP_LmG-lU7-YZvaori_ZwBToVDXR83MFsBV2UC6TAC8N9HEeHCUbBUI7WCHwdT/s1600/IMG_1006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Gk4p9RaFarSnc8gjPdWpPwS-C-MXCGkHV2cdnRH7TJjaYo2AGSAbnJFKm9YUO8ft8t_py5iBlg9U6PgP_LmG-lU7-YZvaori_ZwBToVDXR83MFsBV2UC6TAC8N9HEeHCUbBUI7WCHwdT/s320/IMG_1006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Aspens at Karr Canyon<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-6AopN6Hshdt8mDIFkFml4Ay8YuBSgDkrD6jVkGC8Ni-9Pfd9E2Zo7Y2tL9t2KvG8MBf8tFeF8d6q_7NybaoWQREHvML_5J-aLCI5VDdKgO4eT0glrwlYWLBGvZJsLEubWXVHskIXRQX/s1600/IMG_0195.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-6AopN6Hshdt8mDIFkFml4Ay8YuBSgDkrD6jVkGC8Ni-9Pfd9E2Zo7Y2tL9t2KvG8MBf8tFeF8d6q_7NybaoWQREHvML_5J-aLCI5VDdKgO4eT0glrwlYWLBGvZJsLEubWXVHskIXRQX/s320/IMG_0195.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Historic downtown of Alamogordo<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6waax8ulC1K6EUa_ecQqpGDRyfhQUuHfd4qY4Z3PeYR79Fqw3z4vv25RT6NWaLQ0VcLPZTZ64K1MVrbSXcKDCQjZuA0vqmEg2wYXCmfmmCXmyGqkW5KTXQPqoSeTUITNRkgBHMe07FFEb/s1600/IMG_4782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6waax8ulC1K6EUa_ecQqpGDRyfhQUuHfd4qY4Z3PeYR79Fqw3z4vv25RT6NWaLQ0VcLPZTZ64K1MVrbSXcKDCQjZuA0vqmEg2wYXCmfmmCXmyGqkW5KTXQPqoSeTUITNRkgBHMe07FFEb/s320/IMG_4782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Overlooking White Sands, NM<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1V7Gr_Ex0D30L5wM9yjGp0XVXxKO4jBgAJQekMMrlnPZP-SlgkCYuCwYGidUUx6wN6MLUFOKYImYsXr31WhonFnjBMkHPHN3Yyj4BLwSRAYwQ-hSBAsQfUb_ji6DFHluOu0ErbUwfmz4/s1600/1+24+09.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid1V7Gr_Ex0D30L5wM9yjGp0XVXxKO4jBgAJQekMMrlnPZP-SlgkCYuCwYGidUUx6wN6MLUFOKYImYsXr31WhonFnjBMkHPHN3Yyj4BLwSRAYwQ-hSBAsQfUb_ji6DFHluOu0ErbUwfmz4/s320/1+24+09.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Home looking westTheresa Lynnehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06944734657836516188noreply@blogger.com0