Desert gardening activity doesn’t stop during hot and dry June!  More seeds of perennials, shrubs, and even some trees is ripe for harvesting.  As a true gardener, it can be so fulfilling to collect seed and start plants for your own landscape or to share with friends.

Small milkweed bug   (Lygaeus kalmii)	Small milkweed bug nymphs      (Lygaeus kalmii)

Insects certainly don’t slow down in the heat of the month.  Milkweed bugs, or seed bugs, might take advantage of seed you don’t harvest.  While they are associated with milkweeds, they aren’t by any means confined to this group of plants.  In addition to partaking in milkweed fluids, you might notice them running around the ground in your garden or on other plant seed heads.  They are thinning the seed population, which in the wild helps ensure that there isn’t competition from over-crowded seedlings.

The best approach to watering during this hot, dry weather is to water deeply but as infrequently as possible.  The goal is to keep the plants healthy, providing water as deep as the roots reach into the soil, but not to overwater and encourage new growth.  This also means that fertilization should be avoided at this time.

Dried brittlebush leaves     (Encelia farinosa)

Some plants will naturally move into a semi-deciduous period. 
Don’t be surprised if your brittlebush (Encelia farinosa) or globemallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) lose a portion of their leaves with oncoming drought.  This is their method of surviving the tough times.

Early sunburn on Agave lophantha	Early and severe sunburn on agave	Severe sunburn on aloe

Watch cacti and other succulents for signs of sunburn, especially if the plants are young or recently planted.  Agaves, aloes and cacti will show yellowing of leaf and stem tissue with the onset of sunburn.  If this develops into a whiter color, damage to the tissue will be permanent.  Offer suffering plants some extra shade with 30 – 60 % shadecloth supported overhead.

Arizona Native Plant Society Meeting
Tuesdays / 7-9 p.m. / September 9, October 14, November 11, December 9 / 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.

Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society Meeting
Sundays / 2 p.m. / September 28, Dorrance Hall / October 26, Wildflower Pavilion / November 16, Webster Auditorium. 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.

Maricopa Audubon Society Meeting
Tuesdays / 7:30-9:30 p.m. / September 2 and October 7 / Dorrance Hall. Everyone is welcome.
Call Laurie Nessel at 480-968-5614 for more information.