Fall in love with gardening! Get planting...

Fall is the best time to plant many perennials, with once/month deep waterings through the winter, to foster deep and well-established root growth before spring comes along.

Following is a list of excellent edible perennials hardy to at least 15°F without special care, to at least 10°F with special care, and has some tolerance of or success in alkaline soils (Sources include the Native Plant Society of New Mexico and Joran Viers of the Bernalillo County Extension Office):

Almond (Prunus amygdalus)

Apple (Malus pumil)

Apricot; Golden Apple (Prunus armeniaca)

Artichoke, Globe (Cynara Scolymus)

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis)

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata)

Bay Laurel - (Laurus Nobilis; Umbellaria californica)

Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius; R. ursinus) ...photo

Burnet (Poterium sanguisorba)

Cherry, Nanking; Downy C; Mountain C (Prunus tomentosa)

Cherry, Sour (Prunus cerasus)

Cherry, Sweet (Prunus avium)

Chives (Allium schoenoprasum; A. tuberosum) ...photo

Chokeberry, Black (Aronia melanocarpa)

Citrus, Hardy (various)

Cornelian Cherry; Cornel; Cornet Plum (Cornus mas)

Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

Currant, Clove Black; Buffalo C. (Ribes odoratum; R. aureum)

Currant, European Black (Ribes nigrum)

Currant, Red; White C. (Ribes sativum; R. rubrum; R. petraeum)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Elderberry, American; Sweet E. (Sambucus canadensis) ...photo

Fig (Ficus carica)

Filbert, European; Hazelnut (Corylus avellana) ...photo

Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa; R. hirtellum)

Grape, American (Vitis labrusca)

Grape, European; "The Vine" (Vitis vinifera)

Grape, Muscadine; Scuppernog (Vitis rotundifolia) ...photo

Gumi; Cherry Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus multiflora)

Hickory (Carya ovata; C. laciniosa)

Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis)

Jostaberry (Ribes nidigrolaria) ...photo

Jujube; Chinese Date (Ziziphus jujuba) ...photo

Kiwi, Arctic Beauty (Actinidia kolomitka)

Kiwi, Hardy (Actinidia arguta) ...photo

Kiwi; Yang Tao; Chinese Gooseberry (Actinidia deliciosa)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lingonberry; Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica)

Lovage (Levisticum officinale)

Medlar (Mespilus germanica) ...photo

Mint; Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

Mulberry, Black (Morus nigra)

Onion, Tree; Egyptian O.; Catawissa (Allium cepa aggregatum) ...photo

Oregano; Wild Marjoram (Origanum vulgare)

Passionfruit; Maypop (Passiflora incarnata)

Pawpaw; Michigan banana (Asimina triloba )

Peach; Nectarine (Prunus persica)

Pear, Asian; Sand Pear; Apple Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)

Pear, European (Pyrus communis)

Pecan (Carya illinoensis) ...photo

Persimmon, American (Diospyros virginiana)

Persimmon, Oriental; Kaki (Diospyros kaki)

Pineapple Guava; Feijoa (Feijoa sellowiana) ...photo

Pistachio (Pistacia vera)

Plum, European; Prune (Prunus domestica)

Plum, Japanese (Prunus salicina)

Pomegranate (Punica granatum)

Quince (Cydonia oblonga)

Raisin Tree (Hovenia dulcis)

Raspberry (Rubus idaeus; R. occidentalis)

Rhubarb (Rheum rhaponticum)

Rose Hips; Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa; R. eglanteria)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinale) ...photo

Russian Olive; Oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Saskatoon; Serviceberry; Juneberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Savory, Winter (Satureja montana)

Sea Buckthorn; Sea Berry (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Sorrel; English Sorrel; Sour Dock (Rumex acetosa)

Strawberry (Fragaria X Ananassa )

Strawberry, Alpine; Fraise de Bois (Fragaria vesca) ...photo

Strawberry, Musk; Hautbois (Fragaria moschata) ...photo

Tarragon, French (Artemisia dracunculus)

Thyme; Lemon Thyme (Thymus vulgaris; T. citriodorus)

Walnut, Black (Juglans nigra)

Walnut, Persian; English Walnut (Juglans regia)

Consider cultivating a habitat garden and reduce your hoe load: weed less and water less with a balanced landscape. Take your plant understanding a step further  and become familiarized with a beneficial weeds! While many insects and wildlife can be troublesome, some are beneficial and can be attracted or supported using the following plants.

Pest-repellant

Neem -- repels leaf eating insects

Edible

Cornflower various colours; can be served as edible garnish to decorate salads.

Painter's brush weed

Chickweed -- used in salads and also as ground cover

Burdock -- roots are edible

Horsetail -- prehistoric plant that produces its own vitamin D & is high in silica; tops are very similar to & may be eaten like asparagus

Lamb's quarters -- leaves and shoots, raw, also prevents erosion, also distracts leaf miners from nearby crops

Purslane -- prepared raw for salads or sautéed

Shepherd's purse -- leaves are edible and often sautéed or blanched

Watercress -- can be eaten raw or cooked; is considered a weed in some cultures

Habitat for beneficial insects

Wild blackberry -- attracts predatory insects, and produces berries

Motherwort -- attracts bees

Joe-Pye weed -- habitat for pollinators and predatory insects

Aster -- habitat predatory insects

Trap crops

Trap crops draw potential pests away from the actual crop intended for cultivation.

Cowpea -- attracts ladybird beetle, so planting around cotton fields protects them from sucking insects. It serve as source of food and niche.

Just start somewhere and come back to this when you want more info!

Also check out our facebook page and the GG LoveYourLeaves garden news for ABQ.

Ready to start more seeds?

...anytime is agood time! Find all kinds of Albuquerque-area info regarding seeds and their needs at GardenersGuild.org

construction begins...

These initial steps - phase 1 - took place last fall. In ABQ, edibles can be grown through the cool seasons too. So placing and constructing the raised beds on asphalt is the first priority. Raised beds, used for growing food, are best placed according to the best exposure for your favorite varieties. The low bed seen here runs north/south and is placed on the east side of this space. Beds can run in either direction, and rows are not necessary. Plant as it is convenient for you, and resist making the garden beds too wide. This bed is just a little too deep for the average height person, making maintenance more exhausting.
The specific steps in creating these raised beds include laying cardboard as a barrier to the asphalt, and straw to help reduce compaction. Months later, it's become apparent that this bed will need to be raised -- the cardboard retains almost too much moisture! Creating a barrier to possibly polluted surfaces is a good idea, just in case, so more depth or better drainage will be necessary for the most predictable conditions.

Set the perfect holiday table...

...to wow your guests and offer them good taste in food AND atmosphere!
Whether vegetable gardeners or not, food is a feature topic when trowelers get into the holiday spirit. And no matter your holiday of celebration, food is the foundation for gatherings of friends and family. Either a cozy dinner for 2 or chaotic consumption for 20 can be highlight for your holiday season, but be sure to plan and reduce the stress of preparation for the most enjoyable occasion. A simple checklist will ensure the pieces for your feast are present.

1. grocery shopping list
Yes, many think they are better than that. But why take a chance? Remember we are reducing incidental stresses...
2. protection for important surfaces
Are younger folks coming? Hot plates? Antique table that you'd prefer without beverage rings? Tablecloths, place mats and chargers, as well as coasters are all very handy when available at a moment's notice. Collect these beforehand.
3. serving containers to suit your dishes - both food and table setting...
White always works to flatter the food, but color will add drama. What is your priority in serving up an ideal ambience?
4. accents of color to enhance your preparations
Definitely, do not shy away from color! But be deliberate about where it is used. Napkins and mats are a great opportunity for adding some zest. A lovely arrangement at the entryway is also a fun opportunity without constraints to really jazz things up. If doing a buffet style presentation, colored pillars on candleholders will add a simple but elegant touch. Your creativity is what matters here: don't be shy and take a few risks.
5. candles without fragrance and no scented centerpieces.
Be sure that there are no unexpected fragrances scenting your table. Pull out your candles to double check for ANY scent -- it will fight with the food. At entryways and gathering spots away from food, it is a good thing to use arrangements with rosemary for clearing and freshening the air. Use other aromatic edibles to fragrance and enhance the mood: cinnamon, clove, orange rind, etc. for your very own potpourri. Pine cones, collected free from Mother Nature, can be easily used in either table decor or in an entry arrangement. This is a great opportunity to put those wire ornament hangers to use for assembly, but leave sufficient time for creative projects. Don't plan to do it on the day!!
And lastly, but most important, #6. enough chairs to seat your guests.
This may seem an obvious one, but it is also the most nerve-wracking if forgotten.

The member special helps to...
Fill in missing pieces, this week the supply shop has a tableware special, including serving pieces, and place settings.
Save the regular 20% on the first piece and double your discount on more of the same item. Save lots! Support GG.

Holiday hours for Gardeners'Guild in the coming weeks of December:
SUNDAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY from 12-5PM, and WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, the usual 11-7PM.

If you like to avoid crowds, remember that Thursday is the Nob Hill SHOP AND STROLL. If you like the chaos (jugglers, carolers, assorted edibles, bands, etc.) join the Nob Hill neighborhood businesses on DECEMBER 6TH, FROM 5-10PM.

A CHANCE TO SERVE...
Rio Grande Community Farms is searching for new board members. At RGCF, they will play more of an advisory role and assist in "high-level" community relationship building. The next board meeting is December 10, at 6:30pm, with a combo board meeting/pot luck at a member home. If you may be interested, contact Ian Simmons by phone, 917.3488 or by email: isimmon2@comcast.net. They will be looking for 3-5 new board members over the next few months. They do great work out there, and have wonderful support from the city.

FOR GREAT RECIPES
Check out Sunset.com
This is a favorite place to find delicious recipes that use OUR kind of ingredients... find a new specialty!

In case of inclement weather:

Seems impossible doesn't it?
There is still time for Winterizing -- What is it and what to do?
While we all know winter is coming, the recommendation to 'winterize' is short on details. For those who haven't grown up gardening, the term can be downright mystifying. Here is a list of those tasks to undertake while temperatures cool down, and plants begin to sleep.
#1. Keep watering! Root systems are still growing, and developing additional reach for the winter and following years. Many plants love the fall temperatures for the rest it provides, following the summer scorch. The stress of growing is reduced when conditions are moderate, and plants will fair well with a good watering every week until daily temperatures fall regularly below 60 or 65 degrees. A good watering at least once a month through the winter is also very important for perennials and trees, especially with a dry season predicted.
2. Rake it up. Look for piles of debris that invite insects to hunker down in your yard for the winter. Dry areas with good oxygen will make for unwanted homes to pests that emerge next spring. Lawn clippings, disturbed dried leaves and other organic matter can be good mulch, but don't 'pile' it on. Best idea is to compost these materials first and use it after compost worms have processed it into fertilizer. Rake out those remaining weeds.
3. Remove the dead. This includes 'dead heading' (removal of dead flower heads) of spent blooms from perennials to pare back plants for the lean and mean season. Roses can be pruned for shape and size, but must be pruned to prevent winter damage. For trees, prune dead branches only. Pruning living ones may stimulate growth at the worst time, exposing the tree to freezing temps. Removing the dead wood will foil another favorite living space for bad bugs. Spent foliage from bulbs can be removed, especially if brown, as the leaves have already given their remaining energy as fuel for next year.
4. Amend the soil. Add a low-cost or free manure to the soil to mature (compost) over winter. Some also recommend a high phosphorus fertilizer, like soft rock phosphate (SRF), an element less available to plants in very dry soils. Addition of phosphorus helps the plant's immune system, in photosynthesis, and nitrogen transport to plants. Remember, effectiveness of fertilizers does depend on the plants ability to find it small enough to absorb from soil. SRF can rejuvenate the soil with major minerals like calcium, and trace minerals if decomposition is happening. Use it sparingly in depleted (most of Albuquerque) soil: more is not usually better! As an aside, some say high levels of phosphorus can also deter weeds.
5. Condition the soil, with less labor. Layer mulch over your worst soil this winter with your favorites: manure, straw, other compost, pecan shells, etc! Three layers is recommended, and at least 3" thick each, for sheet mulching which returns life to soil in no time! Shovel it on and wait 'til spring to speed recovery of troubled soil. IMPORTANT NOTE - Be sure to keep layers away from woody plant stems and tree trunks to prevent rotting spots. See the mulch article at www.gardenersguild.org/mulch.htm to get more details.

SUPPLIES FOR WINTERIZING can be found at GG:
Burlap sacks are available, thanks to one of our Advocate members (that's you, Matt). They are great for wrapping trees, planted recently or a little more freeze-prone. Wrapping fruit trees can also be good if they have western or southern exposure -- email Gardeners'Guild for details if this might be causing issues for your struggling fruit trees.
Only a handful of hay bales are still available for mulch -- good insulation, composts well, few seeds, high in nutrients! This will be our last scheduled delivery of hay bales, so get them while they last! Find shovels, mulch sources and more details at GG, too.

It's 55 outside...

Do you know where your houseplants are?
Who lived outdoors for the summer? Don't forget to bring them in! Check for bugs, and don't water right away after moving them inside. This gives your plants a chance to adjust to the new conditions. Do avoid placing plants near heating vents, and reposition any of those inside that may be in a draft. All plant appreciate being raised from the floor, even a couple of inches. This reduces bug problems from dry, dusty conditions and prevents accidental damage to your floors.
Don't be fooled by weird, warm weather!

mulch for your seasons

the path to enlightenment (enlightened gardening) is mulched.

Mulching shades the soil which keeps it soft
Mulching reduces evaporation
Mulching discourages weeds
Mulching encourages earthworm activity
Mulching adds a design element wth minimal expense

why, where, when, what to use?
Mulching can save time, energy and the environment with a modest investments. Let's look at the basics...
choose what is best for you.

To make choice for your situation, identify the issues. Gardeners'Guild helps trowelers to prioritize their needs based on the following five concerns: time frame, budget, appearance, maintenance requirements and sustainability. Rank these five criteria in considering your current project, or long term plan. Then consider how mulching, as a step in the plan, relates to your priorities:

Mulch is quick to lay, especially lighter weight varieties. Many mulches are very reasonably prices, like compost, recycled newspaper or a decorative option like pecan shells.