to support and grow a food system in Maricopa County that thrives
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Marion Shaw
- Male
- Paradise Valley, AZ
- United States
- Blog Posts
- Discussions (22)
- Groups (8)
- Photos (13)
- Photo Albums
Marion Shaw's Groups
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Water
191 members
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N Scottsdale, Cave Creek…
81 members
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Volunteer
181 members
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Permaculture & Politics
68 members
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Native & Perennial Foods
230 members
Marion Shaw's Discussions
looking for new home
need someone to steward your property? I am a gardener by trade, smartscape and MG certified. we are looking for a 2 br house with a small pool and yard. we have a couple months to find something so…Continue
Started Mar 5, 2014
loofa harvesting
9 Replies
My first loofas are getting readdy to pick and I need to find out how to cure them. Any thoughts?Continue
Started this discussion. Last reply by Ericka Dec 6, 2011.
Marion Shaw's Page
Profile Information
- About Me:
- I need green around me. I have a mix of edibles, aromatic vines, flowers, herbs and tropicals in my private oasis in the dessert. I am working on a master gardener certificate at DBG, focusing on our soil type, effective water usage, composting and collecting rain water. I use intensive and companion plantings along with trellising vines and existing shade to create micro climates in the garden working with the amount of sun and moisture in each area.
Water conservation is important in the dessert so making use of every drop is essential. With our short growing seasons timing is everything for a successful harvest. You need to use varieties of vegetables that mature quickly and enrich the soil on a regular basis. One trick to working in this high PH soil is to add vinegar to reduce the acid and balance the PH. My garden is organic in that I don't use pesticides, fungicides or commercial fertilizer. I spray regularly with a mixture of peppermint soap, hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in a tea of steer manure. I do hang fly strips by the compost and around the yard. It really helps keep the flies down without using poisons. I like to recycle hard-scape items when I can like bamboo for trellises and arbors, old gates and decorative metal items. I would love to talk to other gardeners in the area so let's get together.
This is a link to my garden pix on picasa
Marion Shaw's Photos
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I love the pictures you've posted on your page. I seriously think something is missing from my soil. My bell peppers do extremely well but my tomatoes just aren't ever happy. They grow and set fruit but the leaves aren't big and lush like my tomatoes in N. Calif. They start out seeming OK but as they grow they look sadder and sadder. I think a soil analysis is in order. I'm going to try to locate a local place to do it, otherwise, Chris mentioned one out of state that is very reasonable.
So, what is the Lady Bug thing you mention below? Just curious.
I also want to take the Master Gardener course and get certified but it's always scheduled at a bad time for me, plus, last Winter I tried but didn't realize you have to register two months in advance. Maybe this year I'll make it.