Butterfly Garden at WoodCreek

Starting seeds indoors generally requires sowing 8 to 9 weeks before last frost date. In Mesa that would be the end of December. Direct planting may be about one werk prior. Check individual seed instruction.

 Seed starting Patty’s simple seed starting mix: 4 parts peat moss 1 vermiculite Mix them together and screen them well. This creates a fine texture that is key to helping little seeds sprout.  Daryl’s recipe for garden soil: 45% Peat moss 45% Compost 10% Vermiculite     Stir these together and add a slow-release fertilizer. BASIC DIY SEEDLING MIX RECIPE: 1 Part coco coir (or peat moss) ie- 16 oz bag 1 Part perlite 1 Part vermiculite 1 HANDFUL* or approx 1 cup (if using 16 oz bags of above ingredients) worm castings ( this is what I have used for years ) Lime Lime that is used in gardening is labeled “garden lime.” Lime raises the pH level and makes soil less acidic. The best time to add lime is in the fall, so it has time to be absorbed and change the pH level. Bone meal Bone meal is made from dried animal bones. The ground-up bones add calcium and phosphorus. Bone meal breaks down slowly in the soil, so it doesn’t have to be added often. Only add bone meal to acid...

Native to the desert Southwest, the desert willow is not a true willow, but rather a member of the family Bignoniaceae. In addition to its ornamental appeal, the desert willow is remarkably adaptable. Considered a phreatophyte—a type of plant that accesses groundwater through deep roots—it requires minimal watering once established, making it an ideal candidate for low-maintenance landscapes. This deep root system also plays a crucial role in stabilizing soil and preventing erosion, particularly in sandy or gravelly terrain. Plant type: Deciduous leaf. H perennial Zones: Typically 7-10 (with some cultivars cold hardy down to zone 5), handles occasional drought. Exposure: Full sun Size: 15 to 30 feet tall, 10 to 25 feet wide Growth rate: Moderate to fast, growing two to three feet per year in good conditions. Flowers: Trumpet-shaped blooms with ruffled petals are similar in appearance to orchid flowers. They may be shades of pink, purple, lavender, or white, often with intricate streaks...

MONARCH BUTTERFLY Every year, monarch butterflies make a multi-generational migration to and from overwintering sites in mountain regions of Central Mexico. They arrive at their summer breeding grounds—the Midwest—in late spring and increase their population size over two to three generations before returning to Mexico. "Monarchs from east of the Rocky Mountains migrate to the mountains of Central Mexico and monarchs in the Western U.S. migrate to California. Monarchs in Arizona can migrate to Mexico, California, or a small number seem to spend the winter in the lower deserts of Arizona." https://www.usanpn.org/nn/campaigns/DesertRefuge Desert Refuge Project HOW TO PARTICIPATE We need interested observers to set up an observation site and find one or more milkweed plants to track from September to June. Monarch Arrives in Arizona MILKWEED Milkweed plants are  herbaceous perennials , meaning  Milkweed plants are herbaceous perennials, meaning they live for several years (m...

Arizona Milkweed. Indoor sowing recommended over winter. Grow plants for eight weeks indoors, before planting outdoors, after the last frost date. Plant  milkweeds 24 to 36 inches apart. Keep the plant watered until established and protect from and animals for the first season. Arizona milkweed likes a little shade. Plant near each other for monarch habitat. Starting seeds in pellet growing medium Soak milkweed seed overnight in warm water.  Soak the pellets in warm water until they expand fully to 1 to 1-1/2 inch. Appx 10 min. They will be malleable enough to push into seed tray divots. Open the top of the pellet netting, using something like a chopstick  or nail, make a small hole down about 1/8 of an inch Add two seeds and  Cover lightly with the soil by gently tapping,  cover with plastic lid or humidity dome and place in sunny window or use grow light. Check the pellets after a few days. Germinates in 10 to 12 days. Watering.  Keep top moist by s...

We have 2 wooden raised garden beds.  Dimensions 1) 96”x 24”x 9” = 8 x 2 x .75 = 12/27=0.444 cubic yards 12 cubic feet 2) 48”x 24”x 9”= 4 x 2 x .75   = 6/27=0.222 cubic yards 6 cubic feet Ref: Amazon zsywodfo  raised garden bed. For a new raised garden bed use approximately 60% topsoil or native soil 30% compost and 10% potting mix or 50% topsoil 50% compost and add mulch on top.  Before placing your raised garden beds in their permanent location be sure to remove any grass or weeds from the area and loosen native soil to a depth of 6 to 10 inches to improve drainage and moisture retention. Pioneer Gilbert site $45 for 1 ton screened top soil 609 w Guadalupe closed Sunday 4809261700 Singh Meadows  / 1490 East Weber Dr. / tempe 85288. Enter off Mcklintock. Purchase  composted mulch, desert topsoil from the higher country. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 9 AM and 2 PM. Ken is the owner. ask for the mix for raised garden beds. By the truckload or burl...