tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.comments2023-01-31T00:02:07.757-08:00Viragrow Delivers! Viragrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09512983969795901744noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-3143558756314003482015-04-04T11:07:48.109-07:002015-04-04T11:07:48.109-07:00It's sad seeing this plant used so thoughtless...It's sad seeing this plant used so thoughtlessly - put into the driest, most foreign place in a landscape possible. Glad you pointed to how it's a lawn tree and then only with special care...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-15073469085849387362015-03-01T12:48:54.526-08:002015-03-01T12:48:54.526-08:00Here are some of Chris' earlier questions and ...Here are some of Chris' earlier questions and comments.<br /><br /> I'm a 37 year old guy here in Vegas. I've been gardening a bit but now I have finally bought a home with a bit of land and want to expand my plans. You seem to be the main man to ask when it comes to growing in Vegas. My new home is out near Rhodes Ranch area. It has a nice large South West facing yard. I've come up with a big project to install a garden and some fruit trees. I'm generally versed in the garden stuff but this will be my first experiment with trees. Hoping this will be a long term project to supply food for my family. I figure these questions could make for some good articles for you or at least some easy answers for me. <br /><br />We haven't even closed on the property yet but I already have big plans. Based on the fact we are in USDA Zone 9 and the types of fruit we enjoy, I came up with a list of trees(below) I would LIKE to grow. I'm not 100% on all the typical things needed for a desert orchard. <br /> <br />Tree List<br />Asian Pears 3in1<br />Fruit Salad(Stone) 3in1<br />Cot-N-Candy<br />Brittney Gold Apricot<br />Honey Crisp<br />Gala<br />Indian Free Peach<br />Fair Time Peach<br />Fuji Red<br />Satsuma<br />Valencia<br />Bearss Lime<br />Meyer Lemon<br />Washington Navel<br />Concord Grape<br />Green Grape<br />Goji Berries<br /> <br />1. I plan to dig holes for planting the trees but also add an 8" raised bed on top of the native soil so I can supplement with good compost, nutrients and mulch. Is this a good plan? I'm concerned the raising could cause this top 8" soil to be hotter.Is it better to just dig bigger holes and mix my compost in deep?<br /> <br />2. I've seen folks do some things when it comes to initial planting that I don't know the reasoning. Most people put in a wooden or metal stake to hold the tree. Is this a requirement? I feel like my intention to keep the trees short and well pruned would negate the need for staking. Also many people seem to be painting their tree wood white. I presume this is to prevent sunburn. What type of paint is acceptable and is this only on specific trees or can all of them be painted?<br /> <br />3. When it comes to irrigation. I plan to run 1 zone of pipe from my sprinkler system around the perimeter of my yard. Then putting a T with a valve to each 1 or 2 trees. Considering the desert heat is it advisable to use a soaker hose around the root zone under the mulch at each tree, a ring of bubbling emitters, or just a standard sprinkler near the tree base?<br /> <br />4. Where can I get a truckload of good organic compost and good chemical free mulch?<br /> <br />Lastly I'm really excited about this plan and I hope I can make it all work. As I go along I wouldn't mind having someone to bounce ideas off if you are interested in a little backyard orchard culture. <br /><br />I'm getting all dwarf trees if available. Also going to use Dave Wilson nursery backyard orchard techniques for controlling size by pruning. I'm awaiting approval from my HOA on whether my design is approved. I'm going to try and keep photo and video records throughout the process. Viragrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09512983969795901744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-40297369637406763522015-03-01T12:44:40.097-08:002015-03-01T12:44:40.097-08:00You can use my twitter if people want to contact m...You can use my twitter if people want to contact me. @OnePositiveDude<br />Also I have intentions of posting some of the process and thoughts at Desert2Garden.tumblr.com when I get the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-28223756875337194592015-03-01T12:41:32.967-08:002015-03-01T12:41:32.967-08:00Looks great, Chris. Keep up the good work! How can...Looks great, Chris. Keep up the good work! How can people get in touch with you?Viragrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09512983969795901744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-25746632779320050192014-11-08T12:07:55.843-08:002014-11-08T12:07:55.843-08:00You can be right on the beans but in the hot deser...You can be right on the beans but in the hot desert they don't perform well in the summer. Not sure where you have your garden. In the Las Vegas area we typically have 55 to 60 F degree days in December and January. If you cover the garden spot with clear plastic they will pop up in a few days. If you plant in cold soils (heavy and wet and some shade) you do run the risk of stem rot and poor germination. In particular Dragon Tongue variety of green beans I have had trouble with in cooler weather.Viragrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09512983969795901744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-72755162044123566902014-11-05T10:24:49.460-08:002014-11-05T10:24:49.460-08:00I'm surprised to see green beans listed as bei...I'm surprised to see green beans listed as being able to plant into December. I thought they were more of a warm season crop.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-9868324387113946572014-11-05T06:05:40.152-08:002014-11-05T06:05:40.152-08:00Great List, thank you for posting - I am in the Ph...Great List, thank you for posting - I am in the Phoenix metro area. I would add Chantenay Red to your carrot list - super performer and tastes sweet and wonderful no matter what size you harvest it at.Catherine, The Herb Ladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084917798698900055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3183623784346361158.post-23393579875714614342014-07-05T10:03:33.353-07:002014-07-05T10:03:33.353-07:00I wanted to come to this class, but there is no ti...I wanted to come to this class, but there is no time listed for when it started. I sent an email at 8 this morning but figure it was too short notice for anyone to get back to me with a start time. I saw the vegetable bed building class started at 9, so thought this one might be starting at 10 (its 10 right now). I am in Henderson, so coming to North Las Vegas takes a little time. I hope to make the next class! I wanted to come to this one. Please post a start time so we know when to make it over. Thank you for teaching these classes for free and supporting the community!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09639350995819606506noreply@blogger.com