We have rolled into November and it’s time to think about frost protection for any of your tender plants. Since frost can hit by mid-month it is best to be prepared. If you need frost cloth, buy it now before the big rush at the garden centers. This light-weight synthetic fabric allows up to 70% sunlight penetration, so it can safely be left on plants for a few days if necessary. An old bed sheet or burlap needs to be removed daily to provide proper sun exposure for your plants. See our Good Growing Guide Prevention and Care of Freeze Damage for complete tips on protecting your plants. Remember that newly planted material is more frost sensitive than mature established plants, and potted plants are more susceptible to damage than the same type of plant in the ground.
This month we find some plants entering their growth season, and many others becoming less active. The Boojum tree (Fouquieria columnaris) has sprouted new leaves, while the winter deciduous Desert-willow (Chilopsis linearis) and Limberbush (Jatropha dioica) are dropping their foliage. That’s the beauty of living in the low desert – something is growing and showing off no matter the time of year! Also putting on a show at this time are Desert sumac (Rhus microphylla), Canyon hackberry (Celtis reticulata), and Mexican-buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa), which can offer a brilliant change in foliage color before they drop their leaves for the winter.
You can continue to plant seed of our spring-blooming native wildflowers this month. If yours have already sprouted from earlier planting, be sure to check the soil moisture frequently since temperatures continue to be a little warmer than usual.
If you had Sunchokes (Jerusalem-artichokes) or Hopi red dye amaranth growing in your garden this summer, late November is the time to harvest. Clip the tall stems from the Sunchoke plants and carefully dig the tubers from the soil. You can tuck a few in the back of your refrigerator crisper to plant next spring. The amaranth seed heads can be cut and allowed to further dry before removing the tiny black seed from the chaff.
Continue to adjust the watering schedules as temperatures drop lower and the soil dries out more slowly.
Taper off the pruning of most of your evergreen desert trees.
November 2008
October 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
February 2008
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
Arizona Native Plant Society
Webster Auditorium Everyone is welcome. The Arizona Native Plant Society provides information about, fosters an appreciation of, and helps protect Arizona’s native plants. The Phoenix chapter emphasizes Sonoran Desert plants. Call Doug Green at 480-998-5638 for more information.
Tuesdays | 7-9 p.m. | January 13, February 10, March 10, April 14, May 12, 2009
Central Arizona Cactus & Succulent Society
Dorrance Hall. Everyone is welcome. The Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society encourages the appreciation, study and growing of cacti and other succulents. Each meeting features a program about aspects of these fabulous plants. Call Judy Braun-Brody at 480-481-8129 for more information.
Sundays | 2 p.m. | January 25, February 22, April 26, May 31, 2009
Annual Cactus and Succulent Show and Sale 2009
Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society
This fantastic show features prize-winning cactus and succulent plants grown by club members and judged by experts in the field. Society members will be available throughout the day to answer questions and give growing tips. Retail vendors will fill Boppart Courtyard selling cactus and succulent plants, pottery, books and more.
Friday-Sunday / March 13-15 / 9 a.m.-5 p.m. / Dorrance Hall / Free with Garden admission
Central Arizona Butterfly Association
Check back for future meetings | Meeting at Desert Botanical Garden | End of year get-together
Maricopa Audubon Society
Dorrance Hall | Everyone is welcome. Call Laurie Nessel at 480-968-5614 for more information.
Tuesday | 7:30 p.m. | January 6, February 3, March 3, April 7, September 1, October 6, November 3, December 1, 2009
