Advertise on podcast: Garden & Nature, Southwest

Episode 23: Native Ground Covers Ground covers are an essential part of any garden ecosystem, but they are often overlooked. What happens at ground level can influence soil health, temperature, moisture, insects, wildlife, and the overall functioning of the garden. In this episode, I explore how ground covers contribute to a healthy garden ecosystem and introduce some native ground-cover plants that can be incorporated into Southwest gardens. Plants Mentioned in This Episode Trailing windmills — Allionia incarnataHairy five-eyes — Chamaesaracha sordidaSand bells — Nama hispidumWinecups — Callirhoe involucrataCalifornia fuchsia (Zauschneria) — Epilobium canum (formerly Zauschneria californica)Gregg’s dalea — Dalea greggiiSilver ponyfoot — Dichondra argenteaFrogfruit — Phyla nodifloraCherry skullcap — Scutellaria suffrutescensSend us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Summer garden with native plants and healthy ecosystem can be very resilient and continue to support wildlife even during hot summer weather in southwest Native Plants Featured Annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus)Gregg's mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)Palo verde -"Desert Museum" (Parkinsonia )New Mexico privet (Forestiera neomexicana)Black dalea (Dalea frutescens) Skeletonleaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba)Sand-Bells  (Nama hispidum)Silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea)Trailing Windmill vine (Allionia incarnata) Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)Wolfberry (Lycium andersonii)Autumn sage (Salvia greggii)Desert red bird-of-paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) Cherry skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens)Yellow bells (Tecoma stans)Wildlife Mentioned Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)If you need more information on Hummingbird feeders, if safe to use and is it beneficial then please listen to episode 5.  Also for humminbird nectar ( sugar water )recipe and correct ratio : visit link given below for Audubon.org https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Native plant garden in harsh summer seasons in southwest can be full of life and color. A summer native garden becomes more enjoyable as the garden matures and as the perspective of the gardener grows with the garden.  Native plants mentioned in this episode Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)Gregg's Dalea (Dalea greggii)Hairy Five Eyes (Chamaesaracha sordida )Rock Penstemon (Penstemon baccharifolius)Blanketflower (Gaillardia )Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)Scarlet Hedgenettle (Stachys coccinea)Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia)Mexican Elder/Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea)Wild Tobacco (Nicotiana )Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)Wildlife mentioned in this episode Tarantula Hawk Wasps (Pepsis spp. and Hemipepsis spp.)Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)Tiger Whiptail lizard /Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Episode # 20  Where do you buy native plants in southwest USA. How do you select plants for your space, for different garden sizes an designs. Can you have native plants in containers if you just have patio/balcony or or a rental home.  I go through some examples of plants for different garden spaces and different wildlife benefits.  Relevant prior episodes  Ep # 4 _ Where to fin native plants. How to avoid confusion and invasive species  Ep # 7 : Sun Exposure an direction; Microclimate of Garden 2026 Spring Native plant sales mentioned in this episode UTEP, Flora Fest, El Paso, TX - April 11, 2026Alamogordo, NM ( Otero native plant society ) - April 11, 2026Borderland nursery and seeds - Patagonia AZ spring plant sale - April 25th Albuquerque and Santa Fe have plant sales in various locations in April and MayDenver botanical garden annual spring sale - MayUtah - May Southern California, Arizona an Nevada - Many sales were in February an March. A few may be in April. Please check your local area. Some nurseries mentioned in this episode Spadefoot Nursery, Tucson, AZ https://www.spadefootnursery.com/ El Paso, TX https://www.highdesertnativeplants.com/  Las Cruces, NM http://www.robledovista.com/ La Union, NM (Near Las Cruces, NM & El Paso, TX)  https://www.sierravistagrowers.net/ Boulder  Colorado https://harlequinsgardens.com/ Plants mentioned  in this episode : Ground cover plants   Wine cups - Callirhe involucrata Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora Silver pony foot - Dichondra argentea Gray 5 eyes - Chamaesarcha chonioes Windmill trailing vine -- Allionia incarnata Flowering plants - Salvias - multiple native species  Penstemons - multiple native species Cherry Skullcap - Scutellaria sufretescens Desert marigold -   Baileya multiradiata Blanket flower - Gaillardia (different native species) Blackfoot daisy - Melampodium leucanthum  Chocolate daisy - Berandiera lyrata damianita daisy - Chrysactinia mexicana  Shrubs and tress Algeria - Mahonia trifoliata - (Berberis trifoliata) Algeria - Mahonia hematocarpa -  (red barberry -) Wolfberry - Lycium Anderson (some other species of Lycium also native ) Little leaf Sumac - Rhus microphylla Three leaf Sumac - Rhus trilobata Manzanita - pointleaf Manzanita  - Arctostaphylos pungent (and other native species ) Sage - Leucophyllum -  Desert Willow - Chilopsis liners Goldenball Lead tree - Leucaena retusa  Mexican red bird of paradise - Caesalpinia mexicana Anisacanthus Quadrifidus   Grassess Mexican feather grass - Nassella tennuissima Grama grasses native to southwest Buffalo grass - Bouteloua dactyloides Muhly grasses - Muhlenbergia  (several native southwest species) Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How do you find inspiration to keep growing a native garden when you can’t find the plants that you’re looking for. If you are starting a new native plant garden, how do you continue to make progress? Where do you find motivation to continue gardening?  Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Apart from general bird habitat requirement in the garden, specific changes for any particular bird can be very effective for growing a bird habitat garden. I use the example of Lesser Goldfinches in this episode but the information can be applied to any bird you are interested in. I will walk you through a process that will make learning and planning the habitat, simple  Websites mentioned in this episode  All about birds (Cornell Lab)https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ Audubonhttps://www.audubon.org/ Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center -  Native Plant Database page https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center  - Home pagehttps://www.wildflower.org/ Plant nursery for online plants - It carries many southwestern native plants High Country Gardens https://www.highcountrygardens.com/ Birds mentioned in this episode Lesser Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco  Native plants mentioned in this episode.  Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center links are provided for each plant to get more information Chocolate flower ( Berlendiera lyrata )https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELY Maximillian Sunflower: Helianthus maximilianihttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA2 Annual Sunflower : Helianthus annuus https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3 Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye: Viguera https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIST Blanket flower  (Gaillardia )There are many different species of Gaillardia. If you search on the wildflower center website for ‘Gaillardia” or “blanket flower” you will be able to review the different plants in that group https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Tetraneuris scaposa Same as mentioned above for Gaillardia. Please type “tetraneuris” on Wildflower Center website search bar to see various options https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Elderberry tree (Mexican Elder) : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SANIC5 Black Dalea : Dalea frutescenshttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DAFR2 Wolfberry : Lycium andersoniihttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LYAN Three leaf Sumac : Rhus trilobata https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHT Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

Daily maintenance is possible only if it easy. Birdbath design and location are the two most important factors in developing a habit of cleaning birdbath daily. Birdbath heater alternatives for frozen birdbaths in the winter. Which regions in US Southwest could benefit from having a birdbath heater Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

How can you maximize bird sightings every migration season including fall migration 2025 Easily make birdwatching a part of your daily routine. Create a birding hotspot in your garden.  Birds and plants mentioned in the show : Rock wrenWarblersGreen tailed towheeScots orioleIndigo buntingPhainopepla Apps mentioned in the show:  iNaturalist  e-Bird Audubon  Nature journaling and how to draw birds that you see in nature by  https://johnmuirlaws.com Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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 Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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 plantsCollecting seedsIrrigationNext episode will continue this series to include tasks specific to birds, pollinators, spiders, insects including butterflies and bees, lizards, toads and  small mammals Native Plants mentioned in this episode (scientific names are in italics)  Mexican gold poppy - Eschscholzia californica ssp mexicana  One of the online native seed company for its seed : https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/wf035?variant=40837419499674  Native plants that easily reseed and are either aggressive or roots are difficult to pull out Snakeweed : Gutierrezia sarothrae Desertbroom - Baccharis sarothroides Mexican feathergrass: Nasella Tenuissima Chocolate daisy (chocolate flower, lyreleaf greeneyes): Berlandiera lyrata Mexican evening primrose: Oenothera speciosa Native plants that easily reseed but  are easy to pull out and  not aggressive  Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiata Ground cover: Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora : native ground cover, host to butterflies  Apps mentioned in the episode:  iNaturalist :  https://www.inaturalist.org/Photos  (Apple)Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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 text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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/ Seed companies mentioned in this episode: Baker Creek Heirloom seeds :   https://www.rareseeds.comTomato grower supply company : https://tomatogrowers.comSandia Seed company : https://www.sandiaseed.comChili pepper institute, New Mexico State university : https://cpi.nmsu.edu https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com Soil block maker : Johnny’s selected seeds : https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block+maker&search-button=&lang=en_US Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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 etc. What plants to growCompanion plantingDiversity of plants Episode 11 Date published : Oct 29, 2024 Host: Vani Shukla Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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.  Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

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 Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images  and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox.  If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me