Garden & Nature, Southwest

Vani Shukla
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Gardening and discovering nature in Southwest USA

  1. Jul 28

    Summer Garden- Part 2. Native plants, Wildlife Habitat

    Summer garden with native plants and healthy ecosystem can be very resilient and continue to support wildlife even during hot summer weather in southwest Native Plants Featured Annual sunflower (Helianthus annuus)Gregg's mistflower (Conoclinium greggii)Palo verde -"Desert Museum" (Parkinsonia )New Mexico privet (Forestiera neomexicana)Black dalea (Dalea frutescens) Skeletonleaf goldeneye (Viguiera stenoloba)Sand-Bells  (Nama hispidum)Silver ponyfoot (Dichondra argentea)Trailing Windmill vine (Allionia incarnata) Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)Wolfberry (Lycium andersonii)Autumn sage (Salvia greggii)Desert red bird-of-paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) Golden columbine (Aquilegia chrysantha) Cherry skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens)Yellow bells (Tecoma stans)Wildlife Mentioned Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria)American Kestrel (Falco sparverius)Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni)Cooper's Hawk (Astur cooperii)If you need more information on Hummingbird feeders, if safe to use and is it beneficial then please listen to episode 5.  Also for humminbird nectar ( sugar water )recipe and correct ratio : visit link given below for Audubon.org https://www.audubon.org/news/how-make-hummingbird-nectar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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

  2. Jul 21

    Ep. 21 - Summer Garden - Native Plants & Wildlife. Evolution of Garden and Gardener.

    Native plant garden in harsh summer seasons in southwest can be full of life and color. A summer native garden becomes more enjoyable as the garden matures and as the perspective of the gardener grows with the garden.  Native plants mentioned in this episode Flame Acanthus (Anisacanthus quadrifidus var. wrightii)Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis)Gregg's Dalea (Dalea greggii)Hairy Five Eyes (Chamaesaracha sordida )Rock Penstemon (Penstemon baccharifolius)Blanketflower (Gaillardia )Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata)Chocolate Daisy (Berlandiera lyrata)Scarlet Hedgenettle (Stachys coccinea)Woolly Butterfly Bush (Buddleja marrubiifolia)Mexican Elder/Mexican Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. cerulea)Wild Tobacco (Nicotiana )Damianita (Chrysactinia mexicana)Wildlife mentioned in this episode Tarantula Hawk Wasps (Pepsis spp. and Hemipepsis spp.)Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre)Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps)Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus)Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)Tiger Whiptail lizard /Western Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tigris)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

  3. Apr 10

    Part-2: Starting Native Plant Garden:. Where to find native plants. How to select plants for different spaces and wildlife. Ep # 20

    Episode # 20  Where do you buy native plants in southwest USA. How do you select plants for your space, for different garden sizes an designs. Can you have native plants in containers if you just have patio/balcony or or a rental home.  I go through some examples of plants for different garden spaces and different wildlife benefits.  Relevant prior episodes  Ep # 4 _ Where to fin native plants. How to avoid confusion and invasive species  Ep # 7 : Sun Exposure an direction; Microclimate of Garden 2026 Spring Native plant sales mentioned in this episode UTEP, Flora Fest, El Paso, TX - April 11, 2026Alamogordo, NM ( Otero native plant society ) - April 11, 2026Borderland nursery and seeds - Patagonia AZ spring plant sale - April 25th Albuquerque and Santa Fe have plant sales in various locations in April and MayDenver botanical garden annual spring sale - MayUtah - May Southern California, Arizona an Nevada - Many sales were in February an March. A few may be in April. Please check your local area. Some nurseries mentioned in this episode Spadefoot Nursery, Tucson, AZ https://www.spadefootnursery.com/ El Paso, TX https://www.highdesertnativeplants.com/  Las Cruces, NM http://www.robledovista.com/ La Union, NM (Near Las Cruces, NM & El Paso, TX)  https://www.sierravistagrowers.net/ Boulder  Colorado https://harlequinsgardens.com/ Plants mentioned  in this episode : Ground cover plants   Wine cups - Callirhe involucrata Frog fruit - Phyla nodiflora Silver pony foot - Dichondra argentea Gray 5 eyes - Chamaesarcha chonioes Windmill trailing vine -- Allionia incarnata Flowering plants - Salvias - multiple native species  Penstemons - multiple native species Cherry Skullcap - Scutellaria sufretescens Desert marigold -   Baileya multiradiata Blanket flower - Gaillardia (different native species) Blackfoot daisy - Melampodium leucanthum  Chocolate daisy - Berandiera lyrata damianita daisy - Chrysactinia mexicana  Shrubs and tress Algeria - Mahonia trifoliata - (Berberis trifoliata) Algeria - Mahonia hematocarpa -  (red barberry -) Wolfberry - Lycium Anderson (some other species of Lycium also native ) Little leaf Sumac - Rhus microphylla Three leaf Sumac - Rhus trilobata Manzanita - pointleaf Manzanita  - Arctostaphylos pungent (and other native species ) Sage - Leucophyllum -  Desert Willow - Chilopsis liners Goldenball Lead tree - Leucaena retusa  Mexican red bird of paradise - Caesalpinia mexicana Anisacanthus Quadrifidus   Grassess Mexican feather grass - Nassella tennuissima Grama grasses native to southwest Buffalo grass - Bouteloua dactyloides Muhly grasses - Muhlenbergia  (several native southwest species) 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

  4. Apr 2

    Starting Native Plant Garden. Staying Motivated and Inspired despite some frustrations. Ep#19

    How do you find inspiration to keep growing a native garden when you can’t find the plants that you’re looking for. If you are starting a new native plant garden, how do you continue to make progress? Where do you find motivation to continue gardening?  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

  5. 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 frutescenshttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=DAFR2 Wolfberry : Lycium andersoniihttps://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=LYAN Three leaf Sumac : Rhus trilobata https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=RHT 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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About

Gardening and discovering nature in Southwest USA

Information

  • Creator
    Vani Shukla
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Garden & Nature, Southwest
  • Show Website
    Garden & Nature, Southwest

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