A&P Nursery - Page 6 of 8 - Our Plant Nursery Blog

Growing A Peach Tree in Arizona

Desert Gold peach trees bear a large amount of medium sized blushing yellow peaches. They produce fruit from about May until September, depending on weather. These trees can grow as high as 30 feet tall, and an equal width. These trees need full sun, so choosing a sunny location to plant them is key. We have listed the steps below to help you plant your Peach tree in Arizona. One of the best options for peach trees for our climate is the Desert Gold Peach Tree.

Testing The Soil

Different kinds of plants do better in different types of soil. The pH level of soil is a measure of the acidity and alkalinity of the soil. In the case of the Desert Gold Peach tree you will want soil that is around 6.5 pH. Testing the soil before you run to your local nursery and simply start digging a hole is important to give your tree the best conditions to grow in. If your soil pH is too high you can add some aluminum sulfate or sulfur which will lower the pH. If the pH is too low you can add lime to the soil to bring it back up. Depending on your soil tests you will know about how much to add based on the guides on the bag of lime or aluminum sulfate. Simply lay the minerals on the soil and till the ground into the top few inches of the soil.

Digging The Hole

While it may seem straight forward to dig the hole the depth and width of the root ball, you need to make sure that the hole is about 4 times as wide as the balled up root system. After you set the tree in the hole you will want to spread the roots out. Put about half the soil back in on top of the roots and water the tree until the soil is soaked. Place the remaining soil back in the hole and give it another good long soak. This will help settle the soil around the roots and the bulb of the tree. Due to the size these trees can achieve you will want to make sure you space these trees at least 20 feet from other trees and structures.

Fundamental Fertilization

About 6 weeks after planting your tree you will want to use about a half a pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer. Start at about 20 inches from the trunk of your tree and lay the fertilizer on top of the soil, then work outward and cover the area. Do the same in the spring and early summer to give the ground what it needs for your peach tree. After the third year you should add 1 pound of nitrogen every year before the new growth appears.

Watering The Peach Tree

Watering should happen every few days for about 20 minutes during the warmer months of the year. During the cold months watering can be cut down to every couple of weeks. Cooler weather and good rainfall cut down on the need for watering. Extreme summer heat in Phoenix needs to be offset with more frequent watering and should be done at least twice a week.

Peach Trees For Sale In The East Phoenix Valley

If you are considering planting a peach tree or any kind of fruit tree and want the best guidance in choosing the tree the experts at A&P Nursery have the knowledge to get you under way. In addition to selling the trees and plants there are services available for planting your selections in your landscape for you and ongoing landscaping services to simply your life. Call or visit one of the 4 locations in the East Valley.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

What Is Urban Farming?

What Is Urban Farming? Arizona

Urban farming is a large movement to integrate the raising of crops and animals into our urban city settings. This can happen directly in these areas, or nearby at the edges of our cities. Urban farming is also a specific organization that is dedicated to encouraging people to get involved in urban environments to help create more food.

At nearly every food conference these days you will find people who are speaking out about converting unused space into productive agricultural areas that can help provide more food and nutritional education for people living in the cities. There are literally thousands of sites that are dedicated to the idea of urban agriculture. Gardeners aren’t the only people interested in this movement, city planners, environmentalists, community groups, and individuals are focuses on the initiative.

How Does It Help?

We have all heard the stories about how eating healthy costs more than running out for fast food. This makes getting the right amount of fresh vegetables and fruits costly and impossible for some people. Urban agriculture is different from commercial agriculture in the spirit of its purpose. As a society who is largely made up of capitalism ventures are undertaken many times expressly for gain and profit.

Urban agriculture differs drastically in this aspect. While the tasks, produce, and other products are similar to what is produced by commercial agriculture, urban farming focuses on the production to support our own families and share with those in need.

How To Get Started

One of the greatest things about urban agriculture is that you don’t have to be a corporation to get started. It can be as simple as a group of friends, a community, or even a neighborhood group can get a urban farm started and care for it.

Picking A Site

If there is unused land or under used land in your area, petitions can be made to local government. The areas that are popular for starting urban agriculture can be places where housing has been demolished, retail areas that are no longer in use, landfills, or even rooftops. Some areas are even sectioning of some of their park areas for the growing of food for the community to use instead of relying entirely on commercial growers.

Choosing What To Do With The Crops

If it is a individual or group of friends it is common for the fruits of these labors to be consumed directly by the urban farmers. If the project is big enough and zoning allows the produce can be sold at local farmers markets or local restaurants. With the money that is made improvements can be made to the farm, better tools can be purchased, or the funds can be donated to charities in your local area. Many urban farming projects choose to donate some or all of their work to local soup kitchens, shelters, or church organizations that will use the food for the support of the needy.

Deciding On What To Grow

This is where democracy is preferable. Depending on how big and who is involved a list of common vegetables and fruits that grow well in your area should be discussed. Based on interest and nutritional value area should be sectioned off to grow the proportionate amount of the most important items.

If zoning allows urban farmers can also choose to discuss which types of animals will be raised as part of the project. Many people like having chickens to supplement their need for eggs. Not only are they a good source of protein but if done right many eggs can be produced with a modest amount of laying hens.

Urban Farming Supply Nurseries

A&P Nursery has all the tools, knowledge, seeds, and plants your urban farming project might need. We can help you get your project started with expert advice and friendly service. Stop by one of our 4 locations in the east valley or give us a call to get started.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Arizona Gardening Calendar

National gardening calendars are general calendars which cover the average climates in the United States. In Phoenix we have more heat, and longer growing seasons so these calendars are not adequate to help Southern Arizona Gardeners. We will start with January and work through each month to show how local gardeners can get the most out of their gardens.

January Gardening

Phoenix winters are short and usually only last for the month of January. There are various activities that should be done in January depending on your garden and your landscape. It is a good time to get your bulbs in the ground, take care of spraying dormant shrubs, and prune your deciduous fruit trees and rosebushes. It’s also time to prune other bushes and trees, and is your last opportunity to get your bare root shrubs or trees in the ground. It is also the time of year where frost is most common, so keeping an eye on weather reports and taking steps to protect plants is to your advantage.

January Planting

January is a good time to get your carrots, cabbage, lettuce, radishes and potatoes in the ground. In addition any bare root plants like strawberries or asparagus should be planted in January.

It is also time to get a lot of your flowers in the ground. Things like your Daises, Poppies, Petunias, Snapdragons, Sweet peas should go in the ground in January in the Phoenix area.

February Gardening

While frost is still a concern till about mid February you want to get your plants in the ground as soon as it is reasonably safe. The spring growing cycle is short and needs to have time to mature before the punishing heats of summer. It’s critical to give your trees and plants time to become established before the daytime temperatures go above, and stay above 100 degrees for weeks on end.

It is also the time to finish any pruning you need to do on your deciduous trees and rose bushes. It is a good time to take steps to control weeds with herbicides that control the growth of weeds before they even begin to develop.

February Planting

This is the month to do your spring planting in southern Arizona. Frosts usually end around the 15^th of February and it is a good time to get your frost sensitive plants into the ground to get the most out of the initial growing season. It is still possible to drop your annuals and perennials in the ground to get that beautiful floral effect in your Arizona garden. This is also the time of year to start fertilizing your trees and plants, and start keeping track of what is getting which fertilizer, when, and how much.

Veggies to get in the ground in February include beets, beans, carrots, corn, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, summer squash and tomatoes. You still have time to get your radishes, potatoes in the ground. This is also the time to get your watermelon and cantaloupe melons in the ground.

March Gardening

March is a good time to start ensuring your watering system is ready for summer. It is still cool enough to do some work if you need to work on some pipes, sprinkler heads, or drip lines. It is time to test your timers and make sure that everything is working so you are not panicking and having to use hose watering during the hotter part of the year. In addition it is important to control any weeds that might have been missed by your February herbicide treatments, get them while they are small. March overlaps the spring and summer planting season.

March Planting

Many flowers call to be planted in March that includes Marigolds, Petunias, Sunflowers and more.

March is still a good month to get your vegetable garden going and includes all of the same veggies that were suggested in the February. In addition March is a good time to plant winter squash and beets.

Stay tuned for more information on monthly gardening projects and what to plant.

Fall Vegetable Gardening In Arizona

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Vegetable gardening is a great hobby, a way to save money on groceries, and the best way to get fresh produce into your home. Good advice on how to garden and when to plant your fruits and vegetables depends on regionally specific information, as you wouldn’t want to use tips that only work in Maine in your Arizona garden. Each region has different types of soil and different months that are best for planting certain types of vegetables. So this is our fall vegetable Gardening In Arizona guide.

Vegetables To Plant In Fall

These are the best vegetables that you can plant in your garden in the fall and some of their main benefits and uses. Make sure to mark in your calendar when you plant and when the harvest should be to keep track of your vegetable garden.

Planting Bok Choy – This vegetable has about a 45 day to harvest time. Originally from China it has been used extensively in culinary purposes, and even has medicinal value. It is used widely in soups and salads to add a nice crunch and flavor. It is also one of the main ingredients in Kimchee, a Korean favorite.

Planting Broccoli – Broccoli seeds take about 125 days to be ready for harvest. Broccoli is native and used to grow wild along the Mediterranean. Commercial cultivation started in the United States in the 1920’s. Broccoli is a staple of so many Arizona dinner tables because of it’s amazing nutritional value. It has nearly the same calcium content as whole milk and double the vitamin C as an orange.

Brussels Sprouts – Brussles Sprouts take about 140 days to be ready for you to harvest. Not surprisingly this vegetable was named after the city Brussels. It is a miniature cabbage and it is thought that cultivation started in Italy during the rule of the Roman Empire. Brussles sprouts are jam packed with a variety of vitamins. Vitamin K is one of the most abundant vitamins in Brussels sprouts. It is also a great source for Vitamin C, A and B6. It also contains potassium, thiamin, foliate, and more. It is great for helping to control blood pressure and heart rate.

Cabbage – Another vegetable that has its roots near the Mediterranean cabbage is a favorite for lots of Phoenix dining tables. Eating cabbage raw, or just cooked shortly helps preserve the many nutrients. The wide variety and concentration of nutrients in cabbage has been found to protect against several types of cancer. It also helps fight bad cholesterol levels which can help prevent heart disease.

Carrots – Everyone knows that carrots are good for you and are just about the greatest thing in the world with some ranch dip. They have been grown in just about every area of the world, so your garden should be the perfect spot. Everyone knows that carrots are good for your eyes, but it can also help in stroke prevention.

More Great Fall Vegetables For Your Arizona Garden

There are a lot of vegetables that need to go in the ground in the fall in Arizona. They all have different times that are approximate for harvest. Information is available on each of the seed packets or transplant tags.

Cauliflower
Celery
Chard
Garlic
Kale
Kohlrabi
Lettuce

Onions
Peas
Radish
Rutabaga
Spinach
Turnips

Phoenix Valley Gardening Nursery

If you live in the East Valley of Phoenix or simply want to talk to the experts and get the best seeds and plants for your Arizona garden A&P Nursery has you covered with 4 locations in Mesa, Gilbert, and Queen Creek, Arizona. We have the tools, knowledge, and even ties to professional landscaping companies that will make starting and maintaining your garden easy. Call or visit one of our 4 locations today.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Growing A Magnolia Tree in Arizona

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Magnolia Trees are the pride of the south and have a wonderfully sweet smell that can add character to any landscape. Growing a Magnolia tree in Arizona does take a little extra care, but the best things in life usually do. The sweet smell and beautiful flowers and evergreen like leaves will add beauty and visual appeal to your landscape.

How To Plant Your Magnolia Tree In Arizona

There are a few steps that are a bit different for best practices when planting the Magnolia tree. It takes a little more prep and knowledge than simply digging a hole and dumping the tree in. The tree does require a little more water because of our hot and arid environment, but it rewards owners and gardeners with a sweet aromatic smell and beautiful displays of flowers and foliage.

Choosing A Site

In Arizona it is best to choose an area in your yard that will receive afternoon shade, when the sun is at its hottest. This will help eliminate potential sun damage to the trunk, as the tree is not native to Arizona.

Prepping The Soil

These trees are fairly tolerant of any soil type. So there is little effort that needs to be taken to prep the soil. They tolerate clay soils and water logging well. So adding sandy soil types to promote drainage isn’t critical like in trees that are native to more arid environments. Some mulch or compost can increase the nutrient content and help the tree grow.

Planting

With just a little prep work you will be ready to plant and start growing your Magnolia tree in Arizona.

Expose The Root – Gently move the soil away from the top until you expose the top of the root system. Generally you’ll find it after removing about 2 inches of soil.

Unwrap And Score It – These trees are sold with burlap covers many times, these need to be removed before the tree is planted. In addition you can help the root system grow right, without circling roots. You do this by making 4 evenly spaced slices down the sides of the root ball.

Dig It – Start out by digging a hole for the tree to be planted in your yard that is about 1.5 times the width of the ball or container. The hole should be just slightly less deep than the root ball.

Plant It – Place the tree into the hold you have dug and make sure that the top most root section is either even with or slightly above the level of the surrounding soil in your landscape. After you have put the soil back, gently compact it in around the roots to get rid of air pockets. Fully saturate the soil around the tree. Take care to leave the top most section of the root ball out of the soil slightly. You can cover this area with some mulch to protect it, but it needs to have exposure to the air.

Watering

Magnolias are native to the southeastern United States. Arizona is a lot hotter and drier than that region of the country so it is important to water the Magnolia tree regularly. You can test the soil with your finger to see if it is dried out and create a watering schedule that fits your soil and region. During the hotter parts of summer it is critical that you keep up with watering to help the tree cope with the hot Arizona summers.

Pruning

The Magnolia tree needs less pruning that other trees. It is best to allow the canopy base to extend all the way to the ground if your landscaping will allow it. This helps protect the trunk bark from direct sunlight and potential sunscald.

Types Of Magnolia Trees

There are quite a few varieties of Magnolia tree, some do better in the intense heat of Arizona. These are a few of the favorite variants. For more specific information on which Magnolia trees will grow best in your particular zone talk to your local nursery.

Southern Magnolia Tree

The Southern Magnolia is also known as the Grandiflora Magnolia. It is native to the southeast but has spread naturally as far as Texas and Oklahoma. The tree is heat tolerant to about 107°, after that point there can be some yellowing and potential trunk sunscaling. However even the mild growing magnolia in Phoenix can reach heights of 25 to 50 feet.

Star Magnolia Tree

These beautiful trees have star-shaped flowers. They, like all Magnolias are deciduous trees. There are a few different sub variants of the Kobus, but they all share a tulip like shape. The flowers of the Kobus variant don’t tolerate frost, but the tree is otherwise hardy and can weather cold and extreme heat well, making it great for Arizona.

Sweet Bay Magnolia Tree

This type of tree is grown as a showpiece or ornamental tree. The flowers of the Sweet Bay burst out in spring and summer. If pests are a problem in your landscape the Sweet Bay is one of the best types of Magnolia as it is a hardy, pest resistant tree. The Sweet Bay is also tolerant of heavy water conditions and can even survive standing water.

Magnolia Trees For Sale In Mesa, Queen Creek, Gilbert AZ

If you are looking to add a Magnolia tree to your landscape A&P Nursery can help. We have a large selection of trees at our 4 locations in the Phoenix East Valley. We also offer delivery and planting services to make the addition of this sweet smelling tree even sweeter.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Guide To Growing Herbs Indoors

guide-to-growing-herbs-indoors

Outdoor gardening for the city dweller is a bit unrealistic, and impractical. Growing your own herbs at home is possible in the city; it just takes a little more work and guidance. This is a guide to growing herbs indoors. Having fresh herbs sitting right in your windowsill saves you money and gets you fresher ingredients that mean better flavor.

Gardening isn’t always an easy hobby and along the way there will be plant casualties. Start with some of the easier to care for herbs and don’t get discouraged. While you won’t be able to grow everything that outdoor gardeners can, there is still great satisfaction in growing your own, saving a little money, and having the freshest herbs possible.

Herbs To Grow Indoors

Some herbs are easier than others to grow indoors. This list breaks down which herbs to choose for your indoor herb garden based on their difficulty.

Easy Herbs To Grow Indoors

These are few of the easier herbs to grow in your home. Great for beginners or people that don’t have loads of time to dedicate to their indoor garden

Growing Vietnamese Coriander – If you love cilantro this is a great alternative. It is very easy and reliable herb to grow in your indoor garden and has a taste that is hard to distinguish from cilantro.

Growing Mint – Mint grows so well that it is considered an aggressive or invasive plant. It should be grown in its own pot. Because of this you should only grow mint if you use spearmint frequently in recopies, or if you like peppermint in your tea.

Growing Lemongrass – This is one of the most simple herbs to grow indoors, it does not even require soil. It can be set in a container of water and new growth will begin to occur. It will grow new sprouts, roots, and a plethora of stalks from the bottom. These stalks can be cut away easily and used in cooking.

Growing Bay Tree – Bay leaf is a very common herb that is called for in a wide variety of recipes. While bay tree is a slow growing plant it is very rewarding. Care for the Bay Tree means careful watering and cleaning of scaling if it becomes too dry.

Growing Chive – Chive is a great herb for indoor gardening. It requires less light than many other plants. In fact some varieties have been developed specifically for indoor growing. The Grolau Chive is engineered to grow in lower light and is perfect for indoor gardening.

Growing Parsley – While parsley does not need much sun, it is a slow grower. This is an attractive herb to grow visually, but if you use it often in recipes you will have to have a good amount to rotate through as you use it for culinary purposes.

Growing Kaffir Lime Trees – Another great tree for indoor herb gardens is the Kaffir Lime. This is a very common herb for Thai cooking. This plant does require a special “citrus plant food”. Take care if what you feed it and it will grow well and have the right flavor.

Stay tuned for additional herb gardening tips and plants.

East Phoenix Valley Herb Garden Nurseries

To get your indoor herb garden going A&P nurseries have everything you need in Mesa, Gilbert, and Queen Creek Arizona. Stop by to pick out your herbs, pots, fertilizers and ask any questions you might have about getting started and getting the most out of your indoor herb gardens.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Growing Succulents Indoors In Phoenix

growing-succulents-indoors-in-phoenix

Many Phoenix residents live in apartments and urban areas with little space for a garden. Houseplants are a good way to bring the benefits of a living plant into your home, but many people struggle to remember watering as often as they should. Growing succulents indoors in Phoenix is a much easier undertaking, and they are visually amazing.

In nature succulents are naturally drought resistant due to the thick stems, fleshy leaves, and well developed root systems. This means they can absolutely horde water. This makes them perfect for indoor plants as they don’t need as much attention. One succulent everyone is intimately aware of are cacti. However cacti are just one example of succulents. The wide variety of shapes, sizes and colors is near limitless.

The succulent’s shapes are dramatic, otherworldly, and add unique appeal to any room of your home. Take a moment and learn how caring for one of these beauties can be simple and rewarding.

What Makes Growing Succulents Indoors Great?

The air inside our homes is naturally drier than outside. This fact makes it hard for most traditional houseplants to thrive. Succulents originate from areas of the world that are naturally dry. This makes them naturally better at surviving in dry environments, without showing signs of distress.

Choosing Indoor Succulent Containers

When choosing your container for your succulent your number 1 concern is drainage. The pot needs to have drainage holes so that water does not linger too long and rot the root system. Some choose to use non glazed pots for this very reason to help ensure proper drainage. Because some water is invariably going to find its way out of these drainage holes, get a drainage saucer to catch this water. No one likes having to mop up after a plant.

Indoor Succulent Soil

Like most desert plants succulents enjoy well draining, sandy soil. For the pots you plant your indoor succulents in you will want to duplicate that mix. This can be done by blending half potting soil with half sand. To make sure you have the right mix wet the soil and then squeeze it in your hand. If it falls apart you’ve got the right mix. If it holds together like playdough you need more sand.

Fertilizing Indoor Succulents

Much like most other plants succulents see the most significant growth in the spring and summer. Fertilize your succulents 3 to 4 times during the course of the spring and summer. Standard houseplant fertilizer is fine, but make sure you only use about half as much with your succulent plants. During the fall and winter the indoor succulent does not need to be fertilized as their growth has either slowed or stopped completely.

Indoor Succulent Light

The majority of succulents want the sunlight. Give them as much light as you can by placing them at a south or east facing window. During the warmer months succulents can be placed outside. Just ensure that they have a protected location from sudden downpours. Each succulent has a preferred amount of sunlight they prefer per day, take note as you are buying each type to ensure you get the best light.

Watering Indoor Succulents

While under watering is one of the common houseplant killers, over watering is the killer of indoor succulents. Succulents are a category of plants defined by their structural ability to collect and store water. Watering them too much causes root rot and can lead to their demise.

Your goal with indoor succulent watering is to provide just enough water that they are not withering. A visual clue that you need to water is the appearance of the leaves goes from a nice shine to a dull look. If the leaves start to pucker or shrink it is time to test the soil’s moisture. Place one of your fingers directly into the soil and put it 2 knuckles deep. If it is dry all the way down it is time to provide some water.

Put enough water that you can see that it is coming out of the drainage holes, and coming into the saucer. Before bed, just make sure that your drainage saucer is emptied so that the soil can dry completely. It is normal and healthy for the soil to dry out between waterings.

Indoor Succulent Nursery East Phoenix Valley

A&P Nursery has 4 locations in the East Phoenix Valley for all of your indoor succulent needs. We have the pots, plants, fertilizer and knowledge about how to best grow each of the different varieties of succulent plants in your Phoenix home. Stop by one of our 4 locations to get started with your indoor succulent garden.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Desert Landscaping Plants Mesa Arizona

Enduring and beautiful landscaping takes planning and a keen eye no matter where you live. Creating visually appealing and sustainable landscape in the desert is a bit more tricky. Choosing desert landscaping plants for Mesa, Arizona takes a little extra planning when making your selections. Take a look at the categories below to see some of what does well in the heat of the desert.

Desert Succulents

Succulents are plants that have thicker or fatty areas that store water. Cacti are considered part of the succulent family, but are usually listed separately because they feature the sharp spines.

ocotillo-succlent-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Ocotillo – While the ocotillo may appear to be a cactus it is technically a succulent. During the year they might appear to be dried out sticks, but during rainfall they become lush and green very quickly. These add an other worldly beauty to your desert landscape.

cape-aloe-succlent-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Cape Aloe – This single stemmed aloe plant can grow up to an amazing 10 feet. Featuring brightly colored red orange stems in the center they are a great way for landscapes to create visual appeal.

aloe-vera-succlent-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Medicinal Aloe – Also known as Aloe Vera these plants are beautiful, drought resistant and also have well known medicinal applications. Many of the skin treatments sold at stores actually contain aloe. As part of having it growing in your landscape, makes tending to sunburns or minor burns easy.

agave-lechuguilla-succlent-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Agave Lechuguilla – While the name lechuguilla means little lettuce its use is best for decorative landscaping purposes. With long, sharp, rigid, tough leaves these can be a visually attractive landscaping option. However for families with younger children the sharp leaves can pose a safety hazard. Given the name “shin-daggers”, care must be exercised when deciding which yards and where to plant these beautiful desert plants.

Desert Cacti

A staple and icon of the desert the cactus is at home in any Arizona landscape. Featuring different shapes, styles, and spines there is a lot of variety to choose from. Many include beautiful, brightly colored flowers that bloom during certain parts of the year.

Saguaro – As a native resident to the Sonoran desert in Arizona few plants are as prepared to thrive in the desert. These amazing cacti have the ability to grow up to and over an amazing 70 feet. The lifespan of this cactus can be as long as 150 or more. So this can be a great addition to family properties landscape.

golden-barrel-cactus-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Golden Barrel – As a plant that is actually somewhat endangered in the wild these round cactus can bring a varied and contrasting shape to your desert landscape. While they start their life as a single round ball they develop ribs and end up having a series of knobs and protrusions which create amazingly unique and beautiful visual shapes.

engelmanns-hedgehog-cactus-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Engelmann’s Hedgehog – Common to the southwest of the United states these beauties typically grow in clusters. The brightly colored magenta flowers bloom in April or May depending on the heat and rainfall. Daring gardeners may try to collect the fruit these cacti grow. Many say that the fruit tastes like strawberry, which earned the cactus the secondary name of Strawberry hedgehog cactus.

totem-pole-cactus-desert-lanscaping-arizona

Totem Pole – Totem poles are an art form of the Native Americans in the northwest. This cactus features the same type of tall, bumpy, sectioned appearance. With a brilliant green appearance these thorn less cacti are great for desert landscapes. Without thorns they are a great option for families with younger children as they are smooth to the touch.

Desert Perennials

Perennials are flowers and plants that living for more than 2 years. Many live for about 2 to 4 years, and then drop seeds. This means more of them are coming back without requiring a lot of work by the gardener. Perennials differ from annuals in that annuals much be planted each year. There are many different types of perennials that do well in the arid desert landscape of Arizona. Here are a few popular types of perennials.

Canyon Penstemon – Featuring a bright pink blossoms in the warmer parts of the year. These large blossoms are a favorite for hummingbirds and will keep them coming back to visit your yard. The plant grows up to about 3 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide. This makes for a beautiful splash of color in your desert landscape.

Mexican Bush Sage – Being native to central and eastern Mexico these plants are quite at home in the desert. While not very frost hardy they do well in the warmer, lower deserts of Arizona. The bracts the white flowers bloom out of are typically colored and offer a wonderful contrast in your landscape.

Jerusalem Sage – While being native to a the Mediterranean this small evergreen shrub displays beautiful yellow flowers. The blossoms have a sage-like aromatic quality that permeates gardens. This perennial smells as good as it looks.

Firecracker Penstemon – Bearing a resemblance to the firecrackers these perennials add a much needed “pop” to any garden. They are native to the west and southwestern United States, so they do very well in our gardens.

Mesa’s Desert Landscaping Plant Nursery

A&P Nursery has 4 locations in the East Valley of the Phoenix area. 2 locations in Mesa, 1 in Gilbert and another in Queen Creek, Arizona. We carry a wide range of plants that do great in the desert. Swing by one of our locations to view the full selection of desert landscaping plants and get pro advice about how to start or upkeep your garden or landscape.

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Perennial Flowers Arizona

Gardeners love perennial flowers in Arizona for a lot of reasons. There are hundreds of variations and types of perennials. They come in a wide variety of foliage types, flower colors, forms, and come with different environmental requirements. Perennials bloom for different amounts of time. Some only bloom for about a week, while others will bloom for over a month. This is a great way to give a huge blaze of color to your garden. But many times perennials are added to landscapes purely for their beautiful foliage.

What Does Perennial Mean?

A perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years, or more. Shrubs fit this definition but are not usually technically classified as a perennial. This is because the majority of perennials are non wooded, and shrubs generally are. The majority of perennials are herbaceous. This means that the section of the plant that is above ground dies each year and decays into the soil’s surface. The root system is the anchor of the perennial and what brings it back each spring.

Why Plant Perennial Flowers?

There are number of benefits in planting perennial flowers and plants. Trees and shrubs are usually the larger more prominent features in landscaping. Perennials are the filler and ground level interest in any landscaping design. Annual flowers need to be replanted each year, while perennials can live for many years with the proper care. This means a reduced workload to keep the garden up. The root system doesn’t just help keep the plant coming back every year, but it makes the perennials hardier. This means not only do perennials tolerate dry spells better, but because their root system is more developed they help prevent erosion.

Planting Instructions For Perennial Flowers

Location – Because perennial is a general term each type of perennial plant will need a different type of location to thrive. Some perennials like primroses require plenty of shade and deep loamy soils. Other perennials won’t survive without full sun. When designing your landscaping approach consider each location and select the plants that will do well in those areas.

Preparing the soil – Perennials require more through soil preparation than many other types of gardening projects. With annuals and product gardens the soil is prepared each planting cycle and you can add organic matter at these times. Perennials are love because they last longer than a couple of years. Attention must be paid to ensure that you start with a well mulched soil, to provide the needed nutrients. Loamy soils are the best in these applications because they drain well but retain the moisture needed by the plants.

Depending on the plant the addition of compost can also be advantageous. There are perennials that do not tolerate the rich nutrients compost adds to the soil. So consult your local Arizona nursery for more information about the individual plants you’ve chosen or want to purchase.

Types Of Perennial Flowers For Arizona

The southwest presents different challenges and environments for gardeners. Given the hot summers and typically drier weather some plants just simply do better in Arizona. Here are some of the favorite perennials that do well in our desert conditions.

Datura – The Datura is a native type of wildflower to the southwest. It blooms all summer long and tends to sprawl as wide as it can. This can fill up the ground areas and make garden beds look complete. As beautiful as this perennial is, care must be taken with small children and animals as all of the plant poisonous.

Salvia – A great companion for Datura is Salvia. The blooms appear in spikes and come in a bunch of colors. These are a favorite plant for butterflies and hummingbirds and are drought and heat resistant. This makes the Salvia a easy win, especially for the beginner gardener.

Penstemon – Penstemon is one of the toughest perennials available. In addition to also drawing in hummingbirds and butterflies Penstemon can be a great flower to add to a custom or homemade arrangement.

Primrose – The contrast between the sunny yellow blossoms and the darker evergreen foliage makes the Primrose a favorite perennial for the Arizona gardener. Primrose also is a low growing type of perennial. This makes it a great choice for ground cover for those hot and sunny areas.

Arizona Perennial Flower Nursery

The best place for any gardening project to begin is with the experts. Arizona nurseries have everything you need to get your gardening project underway and know how to help you get your perennials started the right way. A&P Nursery has locations in Mesa, Gilbert, and Queens Creek Arizona and is happy to help you get get started. Call or visit today!

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939

Growing An Herb Garden In Arizona

Starting An Herb Garden In Arizona

For the beginner gardener an herb garden can be a great way to get into the hobby. Consummate home chefs also love herb gardens because it puts the fresh herbs right outside the door. This means they get the ultimate in fresh herbs, which deliver the best flavor. Growing an herb garden in Arizona is pretty easy. All you need is a little sunshine, good soil, compost or fertilizer, and some regular watering. While it is possible to have herbs in containers it does restrict their growth. This means smaller plants and less herbs to harvest.

Choosing The Location For Your Herb Garden

Herb Garden Site Location Arizona
In some areas of the country where summer highs don’t go above 90 degrees it’s ok to plant your herb garden in full sun. In Arizona we know that isn’t true. So for the successful herb garden in Arizona you want to make sure to plant them in an area of your yard that gets morning sun but is shaded in the afternoon. If you don’t have such an area you can plant your herbs in a semi-shaded area. Under a tree is a great area as the leaves will protect the garden from excessive sun and heat. No matter where you decide to plant mark out the area when the sun hits it, and when it leaves. You want at least 4 hours of sun on your herb garden per day. This time of day will be different based on location.

Getting The Soil Ready

Soil Preparation Herb Garden Arizona
Soil in our gardens settles and gets compacted over time with foot traffic. The first step after having selected where to have the herb garden is to prep the soil. To do this you will want to use a large garden fork to churn the soil apart. This creates looser soil that will drain. It also makes it so the soil is looser and helps with plants creating better root systems. Some gardeners like to go the extra mile and add some compost to their herb garden soil. This improves drainage and adds nutrients to the soil. This is a labor intensive step, but absolutely critical for a successful herb garden.

Herb Garden Layout

Herb Garden Layout Arizona
Depending on the herbs you select for your garden you will need to space your rows differently. Herbs generally grow anywhere from a foot to four feet in diameter. Listed below are the plants that fit each diameter category. You’ll also want to afford yourself some room to walk and work in between your plants.

Small Herb Plants – 1 foot wide – Parsley, Cilantro, Chives, Dill

Medium Herb Plants – 2 feet wide – Savory, Basil, Tarragon, Thyme

Larger Herb Plants – 3-4 feet wide – Oregano, Mint, Sage, Rosemary

You can either plan the size of your garden based on how much fresh herb you want to be able to harvest, or you can decide how much of your yard you want to dedicate to gardening. Many experienced gardeners will set out stakes and string to visualize their spacing for each of the different types of herbs. Adequate spacing will give your plants room to grow. Giving each plant that space will translate to more sun and less competition for nutrients for the root systems.

Watering Your Herb Garden

Watering Your Arizona Herb Garden
There is a delicate balance to learn between not watering enough, and over watering your herbs. Clearly not watering enough means the plants dry out, don’t produce, and potentially die. However over watering can also lead to root rot and plants that are sick and underdeveloped. The majority of herbs grow best when they are watered as soon as you can find dry soil 2 inches under the surface. This takes digging next to your plants often to keep track of your garden, but hard work pays off.

Herb Gardening Experts In The Phoenix Valley

If you’re ready to start growing your herb garden A&P Nursery has locations in Gilbert, Mesa, and Queen Creek, AZ. We have all the tools, soils, nutrients, and plants you will need to get your herb garden started. That and we have expert knowledge that will help you every step of the way. Visit one of our 4 locations today to get started!

A & P Nursery
40370 N. Gantzel Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85240
480-655-5789

A & P Nursery
2645 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85202
480-839-5362

A & P Nursery
6129 E. Brown Rd.
Mesa, Arizona 85205
480-396-8800

A & P Nursery &
Lawnmower Shop
2601 E. Baseline Rd.
Gilbert, Arizona 85234
480-892-7939