Garden & Nature, Southwest

Vani Shukla
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Gardening and discovering nature in Southwest USA

  1. FEB 13

    Backyard Bird Habitat. Effective Process of Learning About Any Bird to Create Its Habitat. Ep#18

    Apart from general bird habitat requirement in the garden, specific changes for any particular bird can be very effective for growing a bird habitat garden. I use the example of Lesser Goldfinches in this episode but the information can be applied to any bird you are interested in. I will walk you through a process that will make learning and planning the habitat, simple  Websites mentioned in this episode  All about birds (Cornell Lab)https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/ Audubonhttps://www.audubon.org/ Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center -  Native Plant Database page https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center  - Home pagehttps://www.wildflower.org/ Plant nursery for online plants - It carries many southwestern native plants High Country Gardens https://www.highcountrygardens.com/ Birds mentioned in this episode Lesser Goldfinch Dark-eyed Junco  Native plants mentioned in this episode.  Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center links are provided for each plant to get more information Chocolate flower ( Berlendiera lyrata )https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=BELY Maximillian Sunflower: Helianthus maximilianihttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEMA2 Annual Sunflower : Helianthus annuus https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=HEAN3 Skeleton-leaf Goldeneye: Viguera https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=VIST Blanket flower  (Gaillardia )There are many different species of Gaillardia. If you search on the wildflower center website for ‘Gaillardia” or “blanket flower” you will be able to review the different plants in that group https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Tetraneuris scaposa Same as mentioned above for Gaillardia. Please type “tetraneuris” on Wildflower Center website search bar to see various options https://www.wildflower.org/plants/search.php?search_field=&newsearch=true Elderberry tree (Mexican Elder) : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SANIC5 Black Dalea : Dalea frutescens Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    27 min

  2. JAN 27

    Winter Birdbath Maintenance so easy that you can Clean & Refill it daily? Are Birdbath Heaters needed? Ep#17

    Daily maintenance is possible only if it easy. Birdbath design and location are the two most important factors in developing a habit of cleaning birdbath daily. Birdbath heater alternatives for frozen birdbaths in the winter. Which regions in US Southwest could benefit from having a birdbath heater Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    17 min

  3. 09/15/2025

    Fall bird migration 2025. Maximize bird sightings in your backyard and beyond. Ep#16

    How can you maximize bird sightings every migration season including fall migration 2025 Easily make birdwatching a part of your daily routine. Create a birding hotspot in your garden.  Birds and plants mentioned in the show : Rock wrenWarblersGreen tailed towheeScots orioleIndigo buntingPhainopepla Apps mentioned in the show:  iNaturalist  e-Bird Audubon  Nature journaling and how to draw birds that you see in nature by  https://johnmuirlaws.com Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    23 min

  4. 04/30/2025

    Native plants /wildlife garden Spring Tasks (Part 2 ) Create Habitat; Make maintenance easier; keep outdoor living space safe & functional. Ep#15

    Ep. 15  In this episode:  Water source for birds, bees and butterflies. Habitats for lizards, toads and tortoise. Create a safe space in patio, play area, other high traffic area : Rattlesnake fence.Remove clutterSimplify outdoor living ———————————— Briefly, an important task for plant care - irrigation adjustments.  ————————————- Spring bird migration : New bird in my garden. Yellow-rumped warbler Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    23 min

  5. 04/17/2025

    Native plant gardens: spring gardening tasks for native plants and wildlife. Ep#14

    Episode 14 Gardening tasks in spring for a native plant garden keep in mind the other wildlife species that depend on the  native plant garden. These tasks are different from vegetable garden and non-native ornamental gardens.  Included in this episode:    Growing new plants - add more plant diversity in the garden, looking for local native plantsWhen and how to pruneHow to mulch (not always necessary to buy mulch).  Grrowng ground coverFertilizing native plantsCollecting seedsIrrigationNext episode will continue this series to include tasks specific to birds, pollinators, spiders, insects including butterflies and bees, lizards, toads and  small mammals Native Plants mentioned in this episode (scientific names are in italics)  Mexican gold poppy - Eschscholzia californica ssp mexicana  One of the online native seed company for its seed : https://www.nativeseeds.org/products/wf035?variant=40837419499674  Native plants that easily reseed and are either aggressive or roots are difficult to pull out Snakeweed : Gutierrezia sarothrae Desertbroom - Baccharis sarothroides Mexican feathergrass: Nasella Tenuissima Chocolate daisy (chocolate flower, lyreleaf greeneyes): Berlandiera lyrata Mexican evening primrose: Oenothera speciosa Native plants that easily reseed but  are easy to pull out and  not aggressive  Desert marigold - Baileya multiradiata Ground cover: Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora : native ground cover, host to butterflies  Apps mentioned in the episode:  iNaturalist :  https://www.inaturalist.org/Photos  (Apple)Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    27 min

  6. 04/04/2025

    Two southwest native trees for wildlife and beautiful gardens. Ep#13

    Episode 13 Native trees are essential part of habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife. Many of us may not be familiar with how elderberry and dessert willow can create a beautiful garden and also invite wildlife including birds.  Scientific plant names mentioned in this episode 1) Mexican Elderberry : Sambucus nigra ssp. cerulea OR Sambucus cerulea OR Sambucus mexicana 2) American Elderberry: Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis 3) Desert Willow: Chilopsis linearis Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    19 min

  7. 03/08/2025

    Starting vegetable seeds indoors. Ep#12

    Episode 12: Starting seeds indoors. In this episode:  Why and when to start seeds indoorsGrowing near window with natural light. When would you need grow lightsWays to reduce use of plastic & alternatives to using plastic seed starting traysSoil blocksAlternatives to buying humidity dome for growing seedsWhat type of soil/seed mix to use for seeds indoors Check out the image gallery for this episode on the website: https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/starting-seeds-indoors/ Seed companies mentioned in this episode: Baker Creek Heirloom seeds :   https://www.rareseeds.comTomato grower supply company : https://tomatogrowers.comSandia Seed company : https://www.sandiaseed.comChili pepper institute, New Mexico State university : https://cpi.nmsu.edu https://chilepepperinstitute.ecwid.com Soil block maker : Johnny’s selected seeds : https://www.johnnyseeds.com/search/?q=soil+block+maker&search-button=&lang=en_US Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    29 min

  8. 10/29/2024

    Creating a healthy garden ecosystem to deal with pests. Ep#11

    The best way to keep pests in check is creating a garden that has a healthy, balanced ecosystem.  Here are some of the issues addressed in this episode Why not to use chemical pesticidesWhat is the harm in using organic pesticides and homemade sprays for pest control such as garlic spray, chili pepper spray, oil or soap sprays etc. What does a good garden ecosystem consist of?Various elements of garden ecosystem - soil, plants, wildlife, microbial life, water/irrigation, wind, sun etc. What plants to growCompanion plantingDiversity of plants Episode 11 Date published : Oct 29, 2024 Host: Vani Shukla Send us a text for questions on this topic Visit website for podcast show notes, images and other posts. https://www.gardenandnaturesouthwest.com/ Subscribe to get blog & podcast episodes delivered to your inbox. If you have questions regarding the topic covered here, email me

    23 min
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About

Gardening and discovering nature in Southwest USA

Information

  • Creator
    Vani Shukla
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Garden & Nature, Southwest
  • Show Website
    Garden & Nature, Southwest