The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn for help. As important, they provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers to serve their neighbors in need and ALCA member Desert Tree Farm has been doing just that for more than five years.

“Help Me! My Grass is Dying!” What to Do When Overseeded Rye Dies in the Spring. Words heard all over the Phoenix area as we transition from perennial rye back to Bermuda in the spring and summer. While there is no escaping the rye die-off completely, there is a lot we can do to ensure that the Bermudagrass underneath, in either sodded or seeded varieties, is ready to leap out of the ground when the time is right. This method is for those who want Bermudagrass as their primary grass (April through October), either overseeded with rye or 100 percent Bermuda.

We have been receiving calls lately about the incurable disease plaguing oleanders around the state: Oleander Leaf Scorch. Arriving to our state a number of years ago, the disease first surfaced in the Central Phoenix area and has now spread to Paradise Valley, Scottsdale and to other areas around Maricopa County. Here is more information on this fatal plant disease:

Part of living in a warm southern climate is being able to enjoy growing winter fruits that our northern friends envy this time of year. Citrus was thought to have been introduced to Arizona in the 1700’s and has long been established as one of Arizona’s 5 C’s (along with copper, cattle, cotton and climate). There are many varieties available in our area, all which have their own ripening season, frost sensitivities and enjoyment factor. Here are a few more facts to help you make the most of your citrus:

Have you ever gone to Starbucks and requested a coffee? It can be difficult to order something so simple when there are so many options: black, with milk, with cream or sugar. You can even order the really fancy stuff: Iced Half Caff Venti Ristretto Cinnamon Dolce Soy Skinny Latte, Four Pumps. This can be similar to buying plants at your local nursery. If you don't know the correct scientific or Latin name, you might be disappointed a few years down the road when your maturing shrub is actually a very large tree.