Ep. 15 In this episode: Water source for birds, bees and butterflies. Habitats for lizards, toads and tortoise. Create a safe space in patio, play area, other high traffic area : Rattlesnake fence.Remove clutterSimplify outdoor living ———————————— Briefly, an important task for plant care - irrigation adjustments. ————————————- Spring bird migration : New bird in my garden. Yellow-rumped warbler Send us a text for questions on this topic https://www.gar...

Episode 14 Gardening tasks in spring for a native plant garden keep in mind the other wildlife species that depend on the native plant garden. These tasks are different from vegetable garden and non-native ornamental gardens. Included in this episode: Growing new plants - add more plant diversity in the garden, looking for local native plantsWhen and how to pruneHow to mulch (not always necessary to buy mulch). Grrowng ground coverFertilizing native plantsCollec...

Episode 13 Native trees are essential part of habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife. Many of us may not be familiar with how elderberry and dessert willow can create a beautiful garden and also invite wildlife including birds. Scientific plant names mentioned in this episode 1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana 2) American Elderberry: Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis 3) Desert Willow: Chilopsis linearis Send us a te...

Episode 12: Starting seeds indoors. In this episode: Why and when to start seeds indoorsGrowing near window with natural light. When would you need grow lightsWays to reduce use of plastic & alternatives to using plastic seed starting traysSoil blocksAlternatives to buying humidity dome for growing seedsWhat type of soil/seed mix to use for seeds indoors Check out the image gallery for this episode on the website: https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/starting-seeds-indoors/...

The best way to keep pests in check is creating a garden that has a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Here are some of the issues addressed in this episode Why not to use chemical pesticidesWhat is the harm in using organic pesticides and homemade sprays for pest control such as garlic spray, chili pepper spray, oil or soap sprays etc. What does a good garden ecosystem consist of?Various elements of garden ecosystem - soil, plants, wildlife, microbial life, water/irrigation, wind, sun ...

Creating and maintaining healthy soil ecosystem is essential to easy gardening specially in harsh climates. Learn about the basics of soil ecosystem in any type of garden. Also some specific situations are addressed such as growing vegetables and other edibles in hot, desert climates. I am also addressing a few common questions about adding amendments to soil, adding nutrients and microorganisms to enrich the soil and concerns associated with these type of amendments. https://www.garden...

How can we make the best of spring bird migration time. How can we help at an individual level. Make your garden rest stop for migratory birds Resources (websites and apps mentioned in the episode) Apps eBird (app by Cornell Lab) Merlin (app by Cornell Lab) Audubon Bird Guide (App by Audubon) Websites https://birdcast.info/ https://www.fws.gov/partner/migratory-bird-program-administrative-flyways Book Audubon Field guide to the Southwestern states https://ww...

We forget about the benefits nature has on our wellbeing when most of our modern lifestyle is designed for indoors. In this episode I want to highlight some important effects nature has on our brain health, sleep and cognition. I also share some tips on increasing outdoor time without making it another "task for the to do list" https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delive...

How can you use the knowledge about sun exposure and direction in your gardening and design decisions (outdoor and indoor living)Some suggestions for if you are stuck with a particular direction of sun exposureWhat is the best side for a patio or seating areaShade options for garden & patioWhat side is best for winter gardening Windows for bright interiorshttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. You can also subscri...

DIY frost protection for plants - sharing some winter memories from the past. How I created efficient, easy to maintain system for patio and vegetable patch. In this episode: Frost protection for container plants in the patio and vegetable patchCreating a system that is easy to maintain A system that worked for few days even in less than 0°Fhttps://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. You can also subscribe to get weekly b...

Hummingbird feeder good or not, feeder microbes, nutrients in floral nectar, scientific facts and best practices to feed hummingbirds in our gardens Microbial communities in hummingbird feeders are distinct from floral nectar and influenced by bird visitation https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspb.2018.2295 Sweet Solutions: Nectar chemistry and quality https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2021.0163#:~:text=Most of the nutritional value,from phloem to ...

Episode # 4 : Where to find locally native plants. Collecting plants/seeds from wild - legal or not, right or wrong. Learning about local natives and invasive species. Plants and websites mentioned in this episode: Verbena (large genus with more than 100 species of plants )Paper flower (Psilostrophe tagetina) Jewel flower (Streptanthus carinatus) iNaturalist - App to identify plantsLady Bird Johnson Wildflower center https://www.wildflower.org/ Borderlands Resto...

Rainwater Harvesting Active rainwater harvesting - setting up collection system.Passive harvesting - maximizing rainwater absorption in the ground.Rain barrels/containers/tanks - plastic, metal, ceramic, wood. Rain gutters - various options; installing small sections of roof vs full roofRain chain vs downspoutOption for flat roof - how to collect water from scuppers/canale Link https://www.canalecatchers.com/ https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Visit website for podcast ...

What characteristic to look for when selecting fruit trees. Learn about chilling requirements Growing conditions including soil pH Importance of knowing about the wholesale nursery Cold hardiness USDA cold hardiness zones What is the best time to plant fruit trees https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. You can also subscribe to get weekly blog delivered to your inbox.

Date: September 6, 2023 Podcast name : Garden and Nature, Southwest Episode titile : Inviting wild birds to the backyard Podcast Host: Vani Shukla How can we make our garden space friendly for wild birds to visit and nest. If a backyard garden promotes a healthy ecosystem, then birds that we never imagined could come in an urban neighborhood, start to show up. This episode covers information on creating an inviting space for wild birds. Birds mentioned in this episode: Le...