New to Tucson - need some ideas

9 years ago

Hi! I've just moved to Tucson and am renting a house with a great backyard where I will be for the next 4-5 years. I would love to make the backyard more inviting to wildlife, and I have a huge list of plants that grow in Southwest Arizona, but I have no idea where to start.

Adding to the dilemma, we don't have much money to get started - I'm a substitute teacher for the year and my boyfriend is in grad school. Any suggestions on plants that are affordable or grow quickly from cuttings, seeds, or quart-size plants? Also, I would love to know the best place(s) to buy plants, or where I can find local people who will happily give cuttings.

I'm so thankful for any help you guys can offer!

Featured Answer

MaryMcP Zone 8b - Phx AZ

9 years ago

There is a great nursery in Tucson, Desert Survivors, run by adults with developmental disabilities, mostly veterans. They are friendly and helpful with fair prices. Here's a link: Desert Survivors Also, my favorite cactus nursery is in north Tucson, Bach's: Bach's

About the only thing I have for cuttings right now is a euphorbia tirucalli [flame stick plant], some cacti, and garlic chives, which are just finishing their bloom cycle. send me an email with an address and when I get the time I'll snip some for you if you are interested.

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Comments (8)

Jemma Pugsley
Original Author
9 years ago
Southeast Arizona* :)
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User
9 years ago
Wander around the public gardens, ask co-workers for seed pods and divisions or cuttings.
cwlucking
9 years ago
Not sure about Tucson, but up here in Phoenix SRP will give you free native shade trees, all you have to do is take their class on how to plant/care for them. Might want to look into that. Where did you move from? Tucson is awesome, you're going to *love* it.
Jemma Pugsley thanked cwlucking
kenizona
9 years ago
Tucson Electric Power offers shade trees for five dollars. Limit three per year, and you have to pick them up from a local nursery. Trees for Tucson offers a variety of shade and fruit trees for $20, delivered to your house.

I'll second the recommendation for Desert Survivors. They have a great selection of native plants, and a knowledgeable staff. Tohono Chul Park is having a plant sale October 15-16. Just talking to the staff at either of those places is worth the visit.

Prickly Pear and Cholla Cactus will grow quickly from cuttings, and it is easy to get a pad or two from a plant you like. Handle them with tongs, not gloves, and don't plant them close to where you want to walk. Most Agaves and Aloes offset pups around the base which are easy to transplant and grow quickly.

Native Seeds / SEARCH offers a wide variety of garden and wildflower seeds. The Pima County Library has a free seed library. Now is a great time to start planting. Enjoy!
Jemma Pugsley thanked kenizona
Jemma Pugsley
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you to everyone for your fantastic advice! I feel like now I may actually stand a chance at desert gardening!

@MaryMcP - I am excited to visit Desert Survivors and Bach's, and after going to the Desert Survivors website, I can't believe how great the prices are! How generous of you to offer cuttings! I will message you right now :)

@cwlucking - We moved from Kansas City at the end of July and we are loving Tucson! Between the hiking and gardening we have managed to stay very busy! I might have to make a drive to Phoenix just for the class on caring for trees! And, of course, to stop at IKEA :)

@kenizona - Great tip on TEP and Trees for Tucson; I will definitely check them out! And thank you for the advice on the cactus! We have a prickly pear in the yard, half of it fallen to the ground, and I was thinking of trying to salvage some of the pads, but had no idea how to go about it. I'm pretty sure we have aloe in the front yard - now I want to see if it has a pup (cutest name for something, btw)! Also, this seed library concept is blowing my mind!
DWA in AZ Sunset zone 12
9 years ago
Another source of information https://extension.arizona.edu/pima-master-gardeners. They have demonstration gardens and give free classes at libraries.

Also check the library for books specific to this area, not just the southwest.. Gardening here has a lot of challenges that may surprise you. When we moved here, I took a class at Tucson Botanical Gardens that told us something like "forget everything you know about gardening".

Have fun!
Jemma Pugsley thanked DWA in AZ Sunset zone 12
nhoblitt
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Speaking of the Pima Master Gardeners, I've found their gardening manual very useful. It's available at the extension office located at 4210 N Campbell Ave. I think it cost $10.

Also, the guys at Magic Garden Nursery at 22nd & Pantano have been really helpful.
Jemma Pugsley thanked nhoblitt