Desert Messenger

10 www.DesertMessenger.com November 17, 2021 Read Desert Messenger online! Sign up for free email alerts when the Desert Messenger becomes available online! Join thousands reading the paper online at: www.DesertMessengerOnline.com Town Hall is seeking volunteers seeking volunteers seeking Gardening with Dennis October Planting Time! By Alex Taft Gardening with Dennis – Low wa- ter Use Plants & Trees In the process of wondering what to write about, I browsed Amazon for books on desert gardening. I found one that looked interesting and went to the library to see if they had it. Of course they did, because Dennis donated it. To me, that was a confi rmation I was on the right track for an article. The book is the "Arizona Gardener's Guide" by Mary Irish. It is a highly readable book that addresses gardening in the desert from the perspective of someone who has relocated here from somewhere with dark soil, rain and less rocks. She says the number one issue is water, "Water is the overriding issue for garden- ing throughout Arizona. The entire state is arid, even in the mountain- ous areas where it is cool; water supplies that look abundant are re- ally tenuous and ephemeral." That is why the town has a low water use landscaping ordinance in place. It is the challenge of every gar- dener, depending on their unique growing area to determine how and when to water. There is no one size fi ts all, but there are recom- mendations. Many choose a drip line system, which is easy to install and works to help plants establish themselves. This system is not a long-term solution. The lines clog with mineral buildup, critters chew the lines to get a drink. Container gardening is another low water use alternative. With container gardening, you can direct the water to the plants in the con- tainers and it is not wasted. Along similar thinking, many people have a water line system with sprinkler heads and use timers to regulate water fl ow. This is useful if there are large water wells around each plant or tree to contain the wa- ter and drive it down to the roots. Another method is to add a two- or-three inch diameter pipe to the hole where you plant the tree or shrub. This requires hand watering but places the water right where it does the most good. According to Mary Irish, "Water- ing with a slowly running hose over a long period of time works best" This is hand watering that many do not choose to do. It can also be hard on a well pump if you are not on city wa- ter. Lyle Browning, who retired from the La Paz County Extension Offi ce always preferred hand watering at the end of his day, "with the assis- tance an adult beverage" - his words. Water issues are a reason to seek out low water use plants and trees. There are many varieties available and this book discusses how to plant and care for them, with pictures to see what the grown plant or tree will ultimately look like. The book also discusses mulch and its importance in preventing water evaporation. Gravel is a common mulch, but can also draw heat depending on how it is used. Landscape rocks, that pro- vide some shade are very effective in preventing water evaporation, even so it seems a stretch to think of landscape rocks as mulch, but they serve the purpose of diminishing rapid water evaporation. There is no single answer to pro- viding much needed water to our trees and plants, but I have listed some options, which may work. The "Arizona Gardener's Guide" by Mary Irish is a wonderful reference and was part of Dennis's personal collec- tion. When he passed away, per his wishes, all his books were donated to the library. It is a legacy from which we can learn and benefi t. www.QuartzsiteVideos.com Watch Quartzsite Council meetings @ Music Jam Schedule Schedule Jam Schedule Jam Please contact Desert Messenger to list your jam session Please contact Desert Messenger to list your jam session www.QuartzsiteVideos.com Please contact Desert Messenger to list your jam session www.QuartzsiteVideos.com Please contact Desert Messenger to list your jam session 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com 928-916-4235 Editor@DesertMessenger.com QUARTZSITE, BRENDA, LA PAZ VALLEY SUNDAY: 1:00pm Wagons West RV Park, Brenda 6pm Black Rock RV Park, Brenda 6:30pm Mountain Quail RV Park, Rock & Roll 6:30pm. Gold Star Gospel, Acoustic with Lee Black MONDAY: 88 Shades 6:30pm starting Dec.6 TUESDAY: 7pm. Desert Gold, Brenda, Gospel WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY: 1pm Crawford's RV 1pm Crawford's RV 6:30pm. Holiday Palms RV Park, 6:30pm. Holiday Palms RV Park, Country Country 6:30pm Gold Star 6:30pm Gold Star NEW: 6:30pm 1st Baptist Church Gospel THURSDAY: 1pm Split Rail RV Park 6:30pm. QIA Jams 1st & 3rd; Watch Quartzsite Council meetings 6:30pm. QIA Jams 1st & 3rd; Watch Quartzsite Council meetings Country; 2nd & 4th Gospel Watch Quartzsite Council meetings Country; 2nd & 4th Gospel Watch Quartzsite Council meetings 7pm. Brenda RV Resort, Brenda @ 7pm. Brenda RV Resort, Brenda @ FRIDAY: 6:30pm JR's RV Park SATURDAY: 1pm Park Place RV Park 1pm Desert Gold RV Park, Brenda The Town of Quartzsite is Seeking Volunteers for the following board positions: - Municipal Property Corporation - Planning and Zoning Commission - Quartzsite Special Projects, Inc Interested individuals should sub- mit a Volunteer Interest Statement to Quartzsite Town Hall. Forms can be found at Quartzsite Town Hall or on the Town's website. http://www.ci.quartzsite.az.us/im- ages/Forms/Volunteer_Interest_ Statement_-_approved_032619. pdf?fbclid=IwAR2lwtDyYUltUeAE PIU_vcPgeNyvSMXRrgjqGH8nm W44yGN0IYbaHjGYx7I The Town Council of Quartzsite is now accepting applications from Quartzsite residents for consider- ation of appointment to one va- cant Town Council position. The Quartzsite Town Council has estab- lished Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at 5:00 p.m., as the dead- line to submit completed applica- tions for the vacant Council seat. At the Regular Town Council Meeting of December 14, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., the Council will interview applicants and possibly make an appointment. Applications are available for the Council position at the front coun- ter in Town Hall, 465 N. Plymouth Ave. Quartzsite, or online at www. QuartzsiteAz.org. All complete ap- plications shall be submitted to the Quartzsite Town Clerk. The Coun- cil vacancy will remain open until fi lled. 928-927-4333. Town Council position vacancy

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