| SUMMER HEALTH  SIZZLE is guaranteed most SUMMERS in ABQ from the solstice through mid-September, just as the calender says. If it's a good and not-so-typical year, there is a stint of 80 degree weather before high 90's set in. A slow transition could help prepare us for better summer habits, but gradual change is unusual for NM
COOKING IN THE OUT OF DOORS:
IS YOUR 'OUTDOOR KITCHEN' READY?
Fortunately, time has NOT run out for those who would like to do some vegetable gardening this summer. Including the month of June, all varieties will have enough time to ripen fruit by September's end. If planting squash or related veggies, consider planting at the end of June to avoid pesky bugs. Squash bugs look for a comfy home in May, and if your plants aren't yet in the ground, they will find another patch to pester. This isn't the only solution, but it will reduce the headache of bug populations that establish themselves early.
CREATE A HEALTHY LIFE PLAN... as companion to your vegetable garden.
TO PRESERVE GOOD HEALTH, USE PROTECTION:
As you want to protect your plants (see tipst below) be sure to also protect yourself from the extremes of a high desert environment. Wear sunscreen, all year if possible, but definitely in those seasons where you are often outdoors. Consider wearing a light shirt with long sleeves along with your hat and be sure to stay hydrated with frequent draughts of water.
 TIPS for the heat.
+ mulch soil to shade roots
+ mulch soil to reduce evaporation
+ use shade cloth to protect plants.
GROW GREAT HEALTH! HERB & VEGETABLE GARDENS PROVIDE A VARIETY AND WEALTH OF NUTRITION NOT AVAILABLE IN GROCERY STORES.
'Fresh'
food now travels hundreds or thousands of miles and loses a significant
amount of nutrients along the way. With foods high in antioxidants, freshness is the most important factor in guaranteeing their healthful benefits. Soil quality can also affect vegetable nutients, so fertilize yours with organic ammendments. Grow your own great health &
flavor while reducing your carbon footprint!
| SUMMER HABITAT
SUMMER GARDENS need protection from blazing temps just like we do. A refreshing environment can be created using the three basic elements that support people, plants & wildlife: water, shelter and food. Read on!
BATHS FOR BIRDIE
An urban troweler has many options in creating a great outdoor habitat - adding simple features will improve environmental conditions. If you're just getting started on a habitat plan in your outer space, there are three basic needs, to support your wildife. You choose the place to start! Food, water and shelter are the basic requirements of life, and can be integrated in small, simple or sophisticated ways. The truly healthy environment is reflected when these basics are present. It is up to the individual troweler to discover the elements most nurturing for their unique conditions.
Water features are one of three most important elements in creating a healthy and supportive outdoor space. Following are main considerations:
+ above-ground or in-ground. + a still water feature, or recirculating (w/power)? + do you want fish? water turtles? frogs? + where would you like the feature? + what materials appeal to you?
+ is the style contemporary? casual? formal? friendly? When it comes to ponds or fountains, water conservation is always a question. Balance in design is the key. All things can be designed to be
conserving or wasteful. Efficiency of design does depend on an individual's priorities, but is not limited by what is prescribed in the Sunset pond book. Get to know the basics, then get thinking...
DON'T JUST CREATE A MOOD -- design to suit yours.
Like elements in the periodic table, each element in the 'urban preserve' has properties, and characteristics that are not seen as g! ood or bad. Each element has a history or a mythology, a cultural importance, and uses that can be designed to serve both city and nature. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_elementfor examples.)
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