Agave Fun!

Taken in the AM

Okay, let's take a break from all the project talk for the moment. Here is an idea for you agave lovers during the holiday season.  Obviously, the home owners are still feeling the Christmas spirit.  I actually like this idea a lot.  This top one was taken this morning on the way to work and the bottom one sparkles with afternoon sun on the way home.  Agaves add sculpture and form to a garden.  The only thing I don't like about them is that they can make you bleed if you are not careful so always wear gloves when dealing with these dagger like plants.

Taken in the PM

New Moon

On my way to work....the sun is just about to rise and this is the color of our sky.



I don't like waking up early, but this is what I woke up to the other day at around 6:50 AM on my way to work.  As I turn off our road, I see this moon that was absolutely HUGE!!!  So I took a view moments to park the car and shoot some pics.  The sky was a beautiful pink/purple color which was later replaced with blue skies.

This was a cool shot as someone released their pigeons to do their fly around the neighborhood. 

The Shape of Things to Come

So you've seen the process of the first project.  I'll be working on the planters over the next several months.  The second project is the one that I don't have much control over....the swimming pool.  On a vote of 10 to 2, the pool was voted out!  I was in favor of the pool being removed as I think the courtyard would look a lot nicer with a fountain or gazebo.  Plus it will be a lot safer with it filled in as we have to constantly watch the kids around it. 

The HOA will be saving hundreds of dollars a month with this costly fixture on the property shutdown for good.  There was a leak in the pool that was literally draining our budget.  If we fixed the water pipe, it would have cost 1700 extra out of our own pockets(the dreaded assessment!) PLUS an initial 500 to see if they could figure out the problem.  Ridiculous!  Think carefully about having a pool on your property if you're thinking about installing one.  If you use it everyday or have a family, it's a bit different.  But in our situation, the pool is rarely ever used PLUS the plants around it drop their leaf litter into the water. It was not heated and therefore wasn't used in the winter.  In summer, there were people who sunbathed by the pool, but rarely got into it.  The money saved will go into fixing up the area again and of course, it will take some time to get that money together.  It will also allow for people to think about what they want in that space.  I can see both a gazebo and fountain.  We'll see what happens.  The pool service was 110 dollars a month for a once a week clean. Every two years our pump broke down at 450 bucks a pop.  The pool had an unreachable leak, monthly water bill cost around 200 to 300 dollars.  Yearly permit to have a pool 140 dollars. So one can see the cost involved with a pool....

Several of the arguments were:

1. It would devalue the property.
2.  It was the idea that you could swim. (If you wanted to...)
3. Or...I use it to swim. 

My observations/responses.......

1.  Devalue?  Not true.  Many times, you won't get your money back investing in a pool for your home.Your home price is your home price.  Ask your real estate agent or just watch HGTV.

2.  Is the idea of swimming worth several thousands of dollars of not using it per year?

3. If you are one of the 3 people that use it in June, July, and August rarely, does that constitute paying all that money?  Why not join a gym?  Our pool isn't deep or wide.  One person swam.  The others sunbathed....I'm pretty confident that they'll be able to do that activity:)

4.  No more worries of "why the pool is green" or "who threw that chicken carcus into the pool?" or "why isn't the pump working?" or "the pool has a leak; we need to fill it everyday" Wasted water and money and people's time. In a time when we should be conserving water, the pool was a wasteful thing to have on the property.  However, I do believe water is important in our courtyard for all of us so I'll be crossing my fingers for a large Mexican fountain with benches and planters around a large base.

So for many thousands of dollars to maintain a year, is the cost justified in a community of 16 units? And of those units, maybe 3 people used it?  More people use the courtyard to hang out and have dinners.  It was an interesting situation that will now go through a makeover.  I know that the board is relieved as the finances were extremely tight.  It was made worse because several people were behind in their HOA payments which put things financially in a tight spot with the bills.  

So that's the story of the 2nd Spring project. I do feel for the people who wanted to keep it because I did on occassion use it with my family.  There was nothing better than having a cold beer hanging out with friends and family in 110 degree temps!:) But I didn't use it enough.  If it were every night, I may have fought to keep it.  The 3rd project is less complicated with some gardening info for newcomers to the desert and one that I am enjoying much more as it's about being an artist and gardener. This project is about "front curb appeal" and protecting our borders.  Until next time, stay tuned for the final blog series on El Presidio's spring projects.  PS.  The blogs are kind of ugly as is any restoration type project when you first start them:) However, the process is important and so are the steps getting there for the final product.  We'll see what happens.  It's easier to tear stuff apart than putting them back together.:) In my case, the two landscaping projects are within my capacity to complete.  The pool may be another story:)

The Arborist

As you can see, this time of year can be busy for gardeners and people of landscaping.  It is so important to do your spring projects now before the summer heat arrives.  One of the things that can be difficult for people to do is find a reputable tree service to come and clean up their trees.  Sometimes people offer to do the job and are not qualified to do the work or they are qualified yet butcher the trees and plants. Here's my personal story.  When I moved onto the property, we had a landscaping service come and clean our property twice a month for 315 dollars. They cleaned the property well enough, but butchered the trees and plants. During several visits, they had lied to me about the irrigation drip system and smelled of alcohol.  Worst of all, dead trees were left on the property and they killed healthy ones!  My journey into the world of landscaping and intense studies began in 2007.  After one year, I was disgusted by what we were getting from this company.  They never arrived like they said they would. They never carried off plants that I properly pruned. And they didn't have a clue about what the plants in the landscape were called!  After one year, I wrote up a contract and presented it to the board.  It was a contract to reinvest money back into our property and take control of a place that was in bad shape. Once I was approved, we fired the company. At first, the work was slow and gradual....and I'll admit, time consuming....even frustrating because residents didn't really care or want to help out at the time.  Some would say, "That's why we're paying you."  Well this isn't the case.  The money doesn't pay for my services, but it does give me control over what needs to get done without having to ask for money all the time.  It comes regularly every month and I know that I have a certain amount of money to work with and save over the year for things like our arborist.

It came time to prune our live oaks but I was frightened that I would kill them.  They are the most beautiful things in Tucson.  They are the largest and rarest trees around town and I will fight to keep them protected even though they drop huge amounts of tree litter.  The trees needed pruning from years of neglect so I here's what I did.  First I called 3 different Arizona Tree Companies and had a list of questions for them.  Here are the things you need to consider when hiring your arborist......

1. Are they reputable?  Check reviews online; ask around

2. Are they certified?

3.  Do they look like they are honest and reputable people?

4.  Do they care about what you want, what they want, or do they care about the health of the tree?            (I'll explain about this more later)

5. What will they charge for the service?

6.  Do they know about the tree that they will be pruning?  Have they had experience with it before?

The reason I say three is so that you can negotiate the costly prices that go on with trimming trees. I remember interviewing each of the 3 companies here in Tucson.  One charged a lot more money because of their name and seemed indifferent about what he was doing.  The second gave me an estimate that was the cheapest.  And the third gave me an honest answer.  The third was my choice because he is passionate about what he does.  He also cares more about the trees and how to make them grow stronger and look better.  If you only knew how many times people complimented me on the canopy of the oak trees......and it was because of Angelo working his magic with his crew.  This is our third year working together and he has done amazing work on our property.  He's professional and really gets excited about the philosophy of pruning even talking about new techniques that were introduced last year. Who knew? He does and I trust him to do the work.  The one thing that Angelo told me that I won't forget....and he said it in a very polite way....we need to remember what's best for health of the tree.  I had wanted to cut branches off, which he did but in a way that was healthy for the oaks. I have the link if you need a good suggestion for a tree company.  I am not being endorsed or receiving any financial discount from this company.  I've just really enjoyed working with Angelo and Romeo Tree Service. Blogging should have some benefits, right?:)

 www.romeotreeservice.com/

 One last important note once you have chosen your arborist.  Please make sure you take the day off so that you can supervise the work or be around if they have any questions.  Remember that they are doing the work for you and not the other way around....you are, afterall, paying them quite a bit of money to take care of your landscape....and you have to live with it after they are gone.  When I stay home, I watch how they do the job just so I can learn how the pros do it and it's quite educational for me.  Every year it's a new project.  It is also the same reason we could cut those trees down from the planters because we learned the rope technique guiding large limbs to the ground.  For me, it's a fun day.  When to prune?  Before the trees leaf out and for live oaks, which drop their leaves in February or March, it's still okay to around this time.  Most people wait until the end of January or beginning of February.  Spring here starts in March and you want to trim before the tree puts out new growth.  Until next time, I'll see you in the garden.

 

Sometimes, it comes down to the people when choosing a tree service.  Sometimes it comes down to someone who is passionate about what they do. Sometimes it comes down to the service that they provide. But most importantly, it should ALWAYS be about the health of your tree. Stay tuned for more....

The Day After

Dedicating my time this weekend to writing and projects, I've gotten busy and contacted my local arborist who met with me this morning.  This is blog number 3 on the El Presidio Spring Project list. After clearing the brush from our eastern planters, we now have piles of plant material sitting alongside the wall of the parking lot.  This can be an eyesore for some residents. If you ever have large amounts of clean up like this, I recommend you

 do several things.  One.  Do it before the Brush and Bulky Day which picks up lots of stuff if you can't make it to the local city dump.  The city has the days all set up for us and your personal information can be found by clicking on the link here...  http://cms3.tucsonaz.gov/es/content/brush-and-bulky .  Remember to keep your branches at 5 feet and at less than 24 inches diameter.  But let's say you can't wait until March 21st like me.  At this point, you'll need to consider the second option.  Personally, I call my arborist who will come out with his truck and mulch the entire pile for 235 dollars.  At that point, I can then reuse that mulch around the property for plants, etc. to protect from the summer sun. 

However, on a side note I just received a notice from Tucson yesterday that they will be doing our brush and bulky pickup on the January 31st!!  In either event, I am ready for them:)

So now that I've dealt with all the plants, it's time to deal with the stumps in the planters.  At 40 bucks a stump x 10 stumps, we've got a price of 400 dollars. With the mulching and the stump removal, we are now at 635 dollars.  I had several other items to clean up like our courtyard palm tree and a branch off the mesquite.  The total cost came to be around 850 dollars which isn't bad at all.  We have various wires in the planters and have contacted BlueStake to come out and label where the telephone and electric wires are buried before we begin the stump removal.  This service is free was taken care of by my aborist for me.   I'll be talking about him in the next post as we examine what types of things you look for when contracting with a tree service.  The importance of this post is that people plan for the financial costs afterward and think about what they will do with all the brush once it has been cut. More important is to remember where your sewer, water, and electric lines are located!  Don't dig until you've had someone come out to look first. This could save your life.   The mulch is definitely a great way to reuse what was already yours.  You could even rent a machine and do it yourself for less money, but I am letting the professionals do it.  The fun part of the project was cutting down everything and piling it up.  Stay tuned for the next post on finding an arborist to do the unreachable or difficult work. Until next time, start planning and prepping your Spring projects!

New Beginnings

My neighbor put it best when she saw the job after it was done.... "New Beginnings" I loved how she said it, and therefore it is the title of the posting.  This is the second write on a major project happening on the 922 building which will lead to the creation of the citrus garden. It took us 5 hours to clear all the brush from the planters and the feeling afterwards? Cleansing. Sometimes when I look at an area full of vegetation, I am overwhelmed at how to tackle the problem.  I can easily recognize a problem and with time, I do come up with some solutions.  But I have to be careful about fixing it "right away" and giving myself some time to evaluate the appropriate measures needed to get the work done. And the money that will be required for such a project....

With an electric chainsaw at 45 dollars rental, we began to clear out the planters being careful not to hit cars with tree limbs or blocking access to residents.  There were 2 of us that did the work.  One cut  while the other directed the limbs to the ground. Afterwards, the trees would be cut up into sections for the fireplace. More of that on tomorrow's post.

There are no longer any threats to the building, and there are now just stumps and debris.  When doing this type of project, it's important to locate telephone wire and any electrical line in the soil before cutting to make sure you don't damage any of the connections.  It can be very costly!  We, thankfully, did not have that happen to us, but it did happen to me another time and I'll never forget that experience.

If you are a nerd like I am, I sat and counted the tree rings to see how old these bushes were.  I counted 24 rings total which means that these plants were put into their planters several years after the building was constructed.  The project now is to lower the dirt level BELOW the foundation and remove the stumps which can be difficult.  I am having someone come in to give me an estimate at how much it will cost to remove these stumps.  If it's too expensive, we've taken measures of putting a powder into the heart of the stump that will break down the wood for easier removal later.  Drill a hole into the center of the stump and poor the mixture into it adding a little water.....this will break down the wood bond and roots around the area.  Even though you've removed the bush/branch portion, the roots of this ficus are still active and more sprouts will shoot up. Ficus, once established, is difficult to remove.

Secret agaves and aloe vera were growing amongst the ficus bushes.  If you look down the planters, you'll see one bush remains.  That's a dwarf citrus bush that was put into that space to give residents a sample of what will happen with these planters once they are finished. It's important for people to see what it is you are trying to accomplish because they don't or can't envision the final product.  Give them a sample first so that they have an idea about what you're doing.  Another resident came out during this time of change and was happy about the sensor lights working again.  I am as well.  I fixed all the lights and electrical outlets so that they now work 24/7.  Nothing is blocking them and with several adjustments, we now have a safer property.  You can see the amount of stumps left behind and the cost associated with these stumps?  That's my next write, "The Day After".  I now have a clean palate to work my magic and I cannot wait to begin this new and exciting adventure.     

I have lot's of really useful information coming up this week so stay tuned for more on the Citrus Garden Project. One other note that I think is important to share.....from my studies, landscaping is said to have a life of 20 some odd years meaning that you should switch out old bushes, etc and freshen up the landscape with new plants.  I tend to agree with this as older bushes(not really trees) need help. It's not the plant, but more the soil around the roots that either is nutrient deprived or too compact. Yesterday was a good example of this.  And for that reason, it's good to freshen up the landscape.....end of deep thought:)

Sins of the Father

This tree and bushes are blocking the light sensors; dangerous for residents at night dealing with our current issues of meth addicts

You're a new homeowner dealing with a broken air conditioner, leaky pipes, dripping ceilings, and that's just the beginning.  To top it off, you couldn't afford a new place because you're a first time home buyer. But you bought your place because it had charm and potential....and it was in your price range.  As home ownership begins to sink in, you begin to believe that you are trapped in a bad marriage with no escape.  You keep telling yourself that things will get better and they do, but it takes time for it all to happen.  Then you start to wonder why someone would have rain gutters directing water right into planters alongside a stucco home and why no one ever reported that the water from that rain caused dry rot damage and flooding inside the home.  You begin to see things that the home inspectors missed and you start to be become wiser at spotting imperfections.  Even the little pops and drips that happen between the walls make you think....is there a leak? Are the electrical wires going to almost cause a fire again? Where's that smoke coming from? After all of it's fixed, you wander outside.....

Notice the crack in the planters from root damage

With lots of money spent, we have now "stabilized" our "charming" home here. This blog isn't about my place however; it's about the planters outside of it and what the beginning gardeners did with them.  It's about undoing the damage that was done after all these years.  It's about the decisions we make today in our own gardens that will affect others when we are gone from our current places. After 4 years here, we are finally cutting down two trees in the planters that should never have been placed there.  It's a shame really because they are very healthy plants. And green in the desert is like a big diamond ring for some people.  Former residents did not want to have these cut down and argued that it would devalue their property.  I felt it already devalued the property because they were damaging the planters and jeopardizing the lives of residents that walk into their homes at night because the sensor lights were blocked. Plus the plants were unhealthy and looking "ratty".The issue is,however, that the plants are pulling the planters down and affecting the building's foundation.  With a chainsaw and 2 people, we are going to save the planters and the building by taking a proactive role.  The HOA board gave us the approval and we began phase one.  Phase 2 is the removal of stumps. And phase 3 is the creation of the citrus gardens using dwarf varieties. It will also be a functional landscape in smell, taste, and uniformity.  Citrus lovers, don't hate me, but citrus bushes all look the same:)

The tree is too close to the building and foundation which will cause stucco/foundation damage.  NEVER put a tree this close to building.

We will undo the damage done by people who thought it would be great to plant large trees inside a connected planter.  Today new homes are not permitted to have planters built into them.  Again, our home was built around 1981 so anything built around this time may still have planters attached to the building.  If you buy a home here, be aware of the problems caused by rain damage before purchasing a place.  Being the guy I am, I found out who the responsible party was and discovered it was the son of a former owner who loved to garden, but didn't know much about the appropriate placement of plants. We are all guilty of this:) And his is a sad story. He moved to Alaska where he died a young man. The moral of the story....we, as gardeners, need to be responsible as best we can when placing our plants in our yards and around homes. Or we'll be cursed after we have "moved on" to wherever we decide or are forced to go:)

This ficus is leaning and could eventually pull the foundation and planter during a microburst.  The dirt in the planter is also too high which led to termite damage on the patio above and possible water damage inside the unit.  Remember that the soil level should be BELOW the foundation.  Here in Tucson the foundations of homes are around 4 to 7 inches. Also watch for potential cords and wires when digging.

Because this project is HUGE.  You will see a development over the next week and I'll write about things to consider when taking on a massive project like this. Be aware, sore muscles are a given. Where do you put all the debris when you're done?  What are my options?  What are the steps and costs of something like this?  Don't worry, I won't leave any of the details out on a renovation project like this. Stay tuned for more on the Citrus Garden project. Of course, there is also the Whiskey Barrel project and yet one other project that the HOA has taken on....I have a lot of documentation going on right now, but I hope it proves interesting.  Until next time, happy adventures!

Palms are beautiful but unfortuneatly, they can cause a lot of damage if not properly placed.  This palm has cracked the planter and it will have to be removed. FYI palms do not transplant well during winter and should be only put into the ground during summer when it's hot.  However this may not work either because palms already in the ground have a 50/50 chance when transplanted. 

Ancient Stories of Unicorns and Avocado Trees......



A shrine before visiting the sacred avocado tree

 Sometimes we don't need to go very far to discover miracles. Today was such a day and I feel like such a little kid after the experience.  It's like when little bubbles of joy are trapped inside of you and then they suddenly explode.  Of the writings from this week, this has been my favorite and one that I have been itching to type out onto the screen.  Several days ago, during some exotic citrus research, a fellow gardener and myself were chatting near the avocado tree section.  I laughed outload and asked him if he ever heard of an avocado tree surviving in town. He laughed and said he was attempting for his 2 time. But then what he said afterwards, surprised me.  Not only were there some avocado trees in Tucson, but they were all located around my neighborhood! Not that he had seen them personally, but that he had heard  stories from other gardeners in town. It was an immediate challenge for me to get to the answers and find out.  Had I known about this sooner, I would have investigated  many years ago.  I just thought it was a myth. It is something we all dream about here.  It is something we plant and fail at miserably here. We pot it, ground it, cover it, grow it from seed......and it always concludes with the same disappointment. Death. Frustration. So for you people looking into the avocado....I warned you:) Some trees will just not grow here......or do they?

An old citrus grove

If you're from Tucson and have tried planting an avocado tree, you know that it's nearly impossible to grow one unless you have it in a pot.  It's a very picky plant to maintain....the soil has to be just right and forget about the winter!!  If temps get below 45 degrees, the tree will usually die. And it always gets below 45 degrees in winter......and so I began my search to find the truth of this miraculous tree that grew in midtown Tucson.  Wearing my docent cap, I went in search of this Holy Grail.....

Purple Prickly Pear is the best!

Two blocks away, I met one of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.  She was warm and welcoming to a stranger asking to see their heavenly avocado tree.  Our neighborhood is full of weirdos and crazies and while I think I don't look like a crazy man, people are still stand-offish.  First off, the gardens at this church are incredible and were created around the time of 1935.  There is a citrus grove and several formal gardens located on the grounds.  The unfortunate part is that the plants are aging and the signs of it are on the dead branches and small fruits. The Sister met me out back where she led me into a gated courtyard.  I slowly walked through the door absorbing everything around me. It was like taking a moment to savor something special.....a sip of  fine wine in your mouth, a bit of chocolate, or the first tiny rip off a gift before you tear open the entire package.

As I turned the corner, my heart began to beat as I saw a real large avocado tree.  Not a tiny one, but one that was really growing from the ground and it was HUGE!! I couldn't believe my eyes.  After all the years of living here(and in my own neighborhood!!), I see an avocado tree. This is the part that I am embarrassed about....I pulled out my camera to snap a pic and discovered I left the memory card in the computer!!!  I started to sweat and panic.  How could I do something like that??!!!  The Sister was really gracious to me and gave me a chance to run home(2 blocks away) and grab the card.  Like a little kid, I ran as fast as I could to get that card......and I did.  Here are the pics below for evidence.  Some people like their pics taken next to famous people; I like having mine taken next to miracles.

Burned leaves on the avocado tree

 

I think this may be another variety of avocado growing next to it.  The Mexican Avocado?

So, avocado trees do exist in the Old Pueblo.  Not many live here, and I imagine there are more trees in the Phoenix or Yuma areas as their climate resembles a hellish environment. Sorry Sisters, I couldn't resist:) The property is a very beautiful place, but it does show an aging population of plants.  I've offered my help when everyone gets together to do some pruning around the gardens.  My parents have gone to service here and have really enjoyed the mass, but they had mentioned to me that it was an older crowd. It is the same older crowd that is trying to manage a large property. The Sister informed me that they have several specialists coming down to inspect the trees and protect these sacred plants.  That was a relief because while I think it's good for some trees and bushes to be replaced, I don't think that special plants with history should be removed.  They instead should be treated and hopefully saved. I write about Indian cultures dying around the world, and in my own backyard, I see another culture disappearing....but of the spiritual kind.  The trees show their age;  even the avocado tree....the question is can they be restored back to full health? Can any of it be restored? Just a parting thought of what has turned out to be a beautiful day of positive outcomes.  Now about those unicorns.....

Evidence that I stood next to an avocado tree in Tucson:)

A Moment in Time

 leaves from our apple tree


I don't know we're I'm heading in this lifetime, but I know that this garden will grow. It is something that I feel in my heart. It is something I dream about nightly. Everyday I see it becoming something more than what it was when I first wandered upon this special place. When I look at the wind blowing through the palm tree, my mind wanders and I forget where I am.  Gone are the days of neglect and indifference. It is going to change the shape of things to come. A time of positive thought; a time to dream. A garden inspires and makes us forget about all of the chaotic things that happen in our lives. It is like a dream or a heaven....something that inspires us from our travels in mind and body. A garden feeds the soul. It makes us wonder what's flying around up in the canopy of the trees; and what's hiding among the branches. Or how the garden eve can carry the sweet floral scent of the citrus blossum and make us breathe deeply. Or how the mocking bird settles into the oak tree to retell its' journey for all to ponder, repeating each thing it has heard in strange lands both near and far. Or how the jacaranda sways in the breeze with its' purple flowers dropping onto the ground creating a royal carpet as we enter our sacred shrines.  A garden is a place for reflection and inner peace. It is the place of what was. What is. And what will be.....a moment forever captured in time.

Chris Rohrer
Thought I'd share some things that have happened to me here at El Presidio over the years.....

The Silver Lode Nectarine

This is the final post of the Fruit Trees for Tucson series and it's about the Silver Lode Nectarine.  I put this tree into the ground in a bit more shade than sun and yet it still performed well. This tree requires a bit more water so I planted it near a rain gutter where the run off water soaks the roots. There wasn't any fruit on the tree this year and it is said that this tree will fruit at around 4 years. It needs 400 hours of chill time and is similiar to the peach tree in a lot of the same things like when to fertilize,the pink flowers, same pests, etc.  This tree can grow to a height of 15-30 feet and blooms mid-spring.  It also tolerates  heat and humidity. It likes full sun but watch the afternoon sun here in Tucson. Remember to fertilize in spring before the first blooms. It should be interesting to see what this tree will do when March arrives. I haven't heard much from people growing nectarine trees in their yards, but that doesn't mean it's impossible.   Sometimes it's good to try things that are unknowns......and speaking of unknowns, there are a lot of trees that I haven't covered in this series that can be grown in Tucson.   There is a great website link below that has a lot of information about your zone.  The links below will also give you info on fruit/nut trees and berry bushes.
Some of the information on this list I found conflicting with my own notes on several fruit trees. For example, some of the plums, like the Satsuma, on the list are said to be self fertile when I have heard and read otherwise.  Could it be possible that they are grafting superior varieties of fruit trees that are self fertile?  Just remember to check with your garden specialist and  read the card that comes with the plant to verify if the plant is self fertile or not.  I find that every year they come out with a new variety of fruit tree to try out. http://www.gardeninginarizona.com/FruitTrees2.html

For general information on your particular garden zone and for more information on Arizona plants for spring plantings click on this great link below.....
http://www.gardeninginarizona.com/

I have a lot more information on some major topics.  Plus I'm pulling out my camera again to snap and write about more Tucson Gems, an Urban Legend, projects at El Presidio, and several fun surprises.  Stay tuned for more Tucson Gardening......