Thanks for the smiles, Mr. Fitz. You maybe forgot to mention the Mammillaria grahamii that thrive at the base of barrel cactuses and sport a beautiful pink crown of flowers after the summer chubascos. Some call them pincushion cactus; we call them Mammy Grahams. wink wink
Wonderful article. I must add the night blooming cereus, 10” white flowers that attract a special kind of moth once a year and soon give way to bright red fruit which the birds devour.
Hi Dave! Love this! Wanted to chime in and plug Spadefoot Nursery on Broadway just W of Country Club to add to the list...but as I look below in the comments I see that a couple other astute readers have mentioned them! Cheers brother!!
David...you forgot the snake tongs on your cartoon! Also, another fantastic resource for arid-lands gardens and education: Spadefoot Nursery. Run by some truly dedicated folks who love our desert.
I love this one the most. I'm sure you would have mentioned it, though, were you enjoying the soft, ankle-deep layer of mesquite pollen that has set my sinuses ablaze. Pity. Send over an empty barrel or two and I'll fill them for you.
Lots of good cautionary advice. On the list at the end, you forgot a terrific source of native trees, bushes, plants ... and advice, guidance: Spadefoot Nursery, on Broadway. But glad to see you included Desert Survivors, valuable in many ways.
I am tired of the second rate cartoons in the newspaper, and it has been far too long since I have darkened the doors at the Arroyo Cafe, but it certainly is great to be able to join you in this space Dave. And thanks to everyone for the tips about Spadefoot Nursery.
Love your column always! My husband is a home brewer and has used the blossoms of the cat claw and mesquite in his beer. I especially love the cat claw one. They both impart a lovely, mild floral flavor to the beer. As we are snowbirds, we don't really have a garden. However, my husband did manage to make a small cactus garden behind our shed on our tiny lot.
Thanks for the smiles, Mr. Fitz. You maybe forgot to mention the Mammillaria grahamii that thrive at the base of barrel cactuses and sport a beautiful pink crown of flowers after the summer chubascos. Some call them pincushion cactus; we call them Mammy Grahams. wink wink
Spadefoot Nursery is a very good source for desert plants. They are extremely knowledgeable and care alot about this blue ball we call home.
Wonderful article. I must add the night blooming cereus, 10” white flowers that attract a special kind of moth once a year and soon give way to bright red fruit which the birds devour.
Nicely done! And remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: "What is a weed? A weed is a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered."
Hi Dave! Love this! Wanted to chime in and plug Spadefoot Nursery on Broadway just W of Country Club to add to the list...but as I look below in the comments I see that a couple other astute readers have mentioned them! Cheers brother!!
David...you forgot the snake tongs on your cartoon! Also, another fantastic resource for arid-lands gardens and education: Spadefoot Nursery. Run by some truly dedicated folks who love our desert.
Don't forget Spadefoot Nursery! We Toad You to Grow Native!
I love this one the most. I'm sure you would have mentioned it, though, were you enjoying the soft, ankle-deep layer of mesquite pollen that has set my sinuses ablaze. Pity. Send over an empty barrel or two and I'll fill them for you.
Who knew you were a gardener too? Great piece on living with the desert. Please don’t overlook
B & B Cactus Farm on far east Speedway. Another cactus wonderland!
Tricocerous I have these spiny dead looking things all over until they produce 8” blooms of every color. Trees also! Desert willow and so many more
Justicia. A lovely shrub with red, pink or white trumpets that hummers love. Also salvia. Wolf berry. Rose mallow. Native bird of paradise
Lots of good cautionary advice. On the list at the end, you forgot a terrific source of native trees, bushes, plants ... and advice, guidance: Spadefoot Nursery, on Broadway. But glad to see you included Desert Survivors, valuable in many ways.
Ahhh Fitz. Love your writing. Have always loved your artwork. Keep up the awesome work!!!
I am tired of the second rate cartoons in the newspaper, and it has been far too long since I have darkened the doors at the Arroyo Cafe, but it certainly is great to be able to join you in this space Dave. And thanks to everyone for the tips about Spadefoot Nursery.
Tom Doig
Thanks, Tom. I appreciate your kindness, my friend. Ever onward.
Love your column always! My husband is a home brewer and has used the blossoms of the cat claw and mesquite in his beer. I especially love the cat claw one. They both impart a lovely, mild floral flavor to the beer. As we are snowbirds, we don't really have a garden. However, my husband did manage to make a small cactus garden behind our shed on our tiny lot.
Cat's Claw brew! What a great name for an IPA! May your garden bloom for you both, year after year!
It's actually not an IPA, but either a wit or a saison. Next year, if we are able to make it, I'll let you know and get you a bottle.
Sweet!
Lovely. You're making me homesick for the desert.