Desert Messenger

12 www.DesertMessenger.com May 6, 2015 Read Desert MESSENGER E-edition online @ www.MyQuartzsite.com 928-927-6381, Fax 928-927-4814 AMERICAN INDIAN JEWELRY • POTTERY • BEADS • SUPPLIES GEM STONE JEWELRY • BLACK HILLS GOLD JEWELRY OPEN DAILY! Open Daily 8-5 Sun. 9-3 1250 W. Main, Quartzsite (across from McDonald's) Quartzsite WiFi Computer Repair, Service & Support Home or Office • Virus/Adware/Spyware Removal • Low Rates • Fast Service! 24-Hour Turnaround Time • Computer Sales, Quality PC Support www.QuartzsiteWiFi.com SAVE! 928-927-5592 David Zarkou, DPM Foot and Ankle Surgery PODIATRY (928) 669-3033 At La Paz Medical Services 150 E. Tyson Road, Quartzsite Fridays 9 am – 5 pm At Parker Professional Bldg 1713 Kofa Ave, Parker Mon, Tues, Wed 8 - 4:30 pm At TriValley Medical Center Harquahala Road, Salome 2nd and 4th Thurs each month By Lyle Browning, Instructional Specialist, Senior Directional Transplanting Most home owners landscape with plants as opposed to planting seeds. Plants can come from a variety of sup- pliers: nurseries, stores, other land- scape—just a wide range of sources. Many of the plants used in our area need to be planted in the new location facing in the same direction as they did in the old location. Cacti, Agave, Ocoti- llo, and some trees and shrubs may not be as heat and sun tolerant as native trees and shrubs. Live Christmas trees are an example. When buying landscape plants it is a good idea to plant using directional planting. It isn't much of a chore to simply mark a direction on the plant when you buy it and then just re-plant in that direction. This should improve survivability. Even when you purchase a plant with a guarantee it is still a fair amount of time and effort to dig it up, take it back and plant another one when directional plant- ing may have helped that plant survive. Spring and Summer Plant Fertilization Applying fertilizer to landscape plants is important in timing applications to allow for temperature changes. If you have citrus trees in your landscape avoid fertilizing during the months of June, July, and August. Our weather is just too hot during those months. The same reasoning holds true for other landscape trees and shrubs. For landscapes that have Bermuda or St. Augustine grass warm/hot weather is the time to add fertilizer. Over ap- plications will result in a higher water requirement and more mowing. Heavy feeding vegetables like corn and melons will require a second applica- tion of fertilizer about this time (May). Contact our offi ce to fi nd information on other heavy feeding vegetables. Proper fertilization at the right time can provide a healthier, more productive, and better looking landscape. Be sure to follow all label directions on fertilizer. The Palo Verde Root Borer This is the time of year when home owners in our low desert may see this creature. The Palo Verde Root Borer is a member of the beetle family, the larg- est group of insects in the world. This beetle feeds mostly on roots of the Palo Verde trees [Parkinsonia]. This beetle feeds on all varieties of Palo Verde, but likes the Mexican Palo Verde [Parkin- sonia aculeata] best. Recognizing this insect should not be a problem if they appear in your landscape. The adult is up to 4 inches long and is mostly black. Early summer is when these insects appear. They have a very long life cycle, about three years. The lar- vae is white and can be up to fi ve inches in length. In case of a severe infestation tree roots can be damaged to the point of branch die-back. There is no real cure. The best way to resist this beetle is to keep your trees as healthy as possible. If you see quarter sized round holes around the base of your tree, you may have had this insect. The quarter sized round holes are exit holes made by the female. Adult beetles live only a month or so, but the eggs will become larve and the larve will tunnel to the root and be- gin feeding. They will stay under ground feeding for about the next three years. Our offi ce can help advise on plant- ing and growing landscape plants. The advice is free. Our offi ce is located at 2524 Mutahar in Parker. Our telephone number is 928 669-9843. Phone or stop by. We are always happy to see and talk with you. 3 spring planting tips Memorial Day FREE FAMILY EVENT •Water Slide •Games •Bake Sale •Kite Flying (Free Kites for Kids) •Rock Painting •Dunk Tank•Rock Stacking •More! Monday, May 25 th Picnic in the Park 3pm @ Pavillion/DANCE SLAB •Hot Dogs & Hamburgers for $ale by VFW •OR Pack your own Picnic Sponsored by Town of Quartzsite 465 N. Plymouth, Quartzsite, AZ 85346 928-927-4333 www.ci.quartzsite.az.us 3pm

• Cover