Plant or organ transplant cacti . This is a cracking time to start planting cacti and succulents and to start transplanting perennials , but be sure to increase your lachrymation subroutine as temperatures wax . If you ’ve ever wondered how to replant or transplant cacti without bleeding out , we ’ve accumulated a few tricks over the years . Our favourite tool for move small- to average - sized cacti is a uncomplicated distich of barbecue tongs . They ’re a bit larger than kitchen tongs , and they help hold the cactus in office while planting or moving . For great cacti , we always keep some one-time carpet on bridge player . Wrapping a cactus in carpeting while lifting or planting is a huge help . Some of those larger needles can still poke through , though , so mind . We recently had to transplant a 4 - animal foot sahuaro ( Carnegiea gigantea , Zones 8–11 ) that was planted right smart too close to our home . The carpet wrapped around it worked like a charm . Our last baksheesh for planting cacti is to invest in a high - character pair of cactus gardening gloves . Typically these boxing glove are made of leather , either caprine animal or cowhide , and run to your cubitus . Exemplary Gardensmakes a great pair for adult male or char in multiple colors . They work great for anything with pricker or needles . Trust us — what you ’ll lay aside on adhesive bandages will buy you a duad of gloves that will last for years .
Do n’t disturb carpenter bee . You may begin to see carpenter bees becoming more active now ; these guys are fantastic pollinator , so do n’t deter them from their job . There are in reality seven varieties of carpenter bee that exist in the Southwest , and they play a square role in pollinating the wild flower in our desert watershed and foothills . Here in the desert , the females produce nests in the flowers of sotol ( Dasylirionspp . and cvs . , Zones 8–11 ) , yucca ( Yuccaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–11 ) , and agave ( Agavespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) . They also make nest in dead trees and firewood piles . They are super beneficial to the smasher that surround us , so if you notice them , leave them be !
Move pot ice plantsto a shadier spot in your garden for the quietus of the summer . They also require less water beginning in April . Ice plants ( Delospermaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–11 ) lend the perfect popping of color to our Southwest gardens , and reckon on where you are in the region , your ice plants may have already pop blossom ; hopefully they will continue to do so throughout the summertime . Be certain to invalidate overwatering them , as they are quite sensitive to root rot .
Now is the perfect time to plant some citrous fruit . We recently bump a great batch on four constitutive citrous fruit trees . We decided to go for a variety of dissimilar fruits , so we terminate up with a lime ( Citrus×latifolia ) , a lemon ( Citrus×limon ) , a grapefruit ( Citrus×paradisi ) , and a mandarin ( Citrus reticulata ) , all hardy in USDA geographical zone 9–11 . They ’re all midget or semi - dwarf , think that they ’ll outride smaller once they ’re in full grown . Since our trees are in containers smother a patio , we figured it was a better choice to keep them on the petite side . We choose frost - resistant pots to insure that we would n’t be replacing the container anytime soon . We also used citrus fruit - specific grease that we purchased at our local nursery . When planting citrus fruit Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , be certain that the roots are just below the soil but the crown is sitting just above it . as luck would have it we had some nearby drip mould lines that we were able to extend to the trees , which makes our life a bit easier . We ’re already daydream of the scented smells they ’ll produce when in bloom . Read citrus in the Southwest .
Invest in some outdoor furniture . peradventure you ’ve always wanted a distich of Adirondack chairs near your garden , a sofa chair by your pool , or a hammock on which to quieten yourself to catch some Z’s on a quick good afternoon . Comfortable out-of-door furniture is a must in our world . This time of the year make believe us all revalue why we put up with the dreadful heat in the summer months . The birds are singing and the breeze is blow , so enjoy just relaxing and watching your gardens begin to blossom .
— Sheila Schultz and Laurel Startzel are a female parent - daughter duo who founded Denver Dirty miss Container Gardening while live in Denver and have continued their commercial enterprise since prompt to Tucson , Arizona .
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Make sure to wear protective gear when transplanting cacti.Photo: Kerry Ann Moore
Bee kind to carpenter bees! These are important pollinators of our desert flora.Photo: Laurel Startzel
Move your potted ice plants into the shade, and reduce their water intake for the rest of the summer. Pictured is Fire Spinner®ice plant (Delosperma‘P001S’, Zones 5–9).Photo: Mary Ann Newcomer
Bearss seedless lime produces bountiful fruit in fall and winter.Photo: Kara Stephens-Flemming
Add some outdoor furniture in the shadier areas of your yard to enjoy your garden as much as you can before the real heat of summer sets in.Photo: Laurel Startzel
