b'The January GardenBy Bridgette CrosbyIf you need a little advice or a little inspiration, feel free to contact me at 480-235-8388. H appy 2023!!! The NewWhen picking oranges and lemons, pick a few and give Year brings excitementone or two a try to make sure they are ripe. If ripe, pick a and the hope of promise.little off at a time, and dont pick everything off the tree in Holiday busyness gently recedesone day. Pick a little every day and use that batch and people begin to relax. Forfirst, letting the rest of the crop stay on the tree. gardeners, January is a wonderful time to unwind and enjoy fresh, delicious orange juice. Sweet navels, lemons,January can be one of the coldest months in the pomegranates, and figs are all ripening, waiting to sharedesert. A hard freeze will damage some of the fruit, their deliciousness.so if you know a freeze is coming, you should pick the fruit that is the most exposed, or if your tree is In years past, I have tried my hand at juicing, jams, jellies,still small, you can cover it. Leave the fruits that are pies, sauces, and even dehydration. But my favorite way toon the inside of the tree alone until later, they will be enjoy oranges is either fresh picked from the tree, juiced,well protected. Be sure that when picking, you gently or as an added touch in fresh garden salads.twist the orange off the stem, this will help protect both the orange skin and the tree from damage. I have found that citrus trees are easy to care for and have numerous advantages for new and experiencedJanuary is also a great time to plant new citrus. gardeners. They are popular additions to yards, gardens,Many nurseries host Citrus Tasting Events. If and landscapes. Here in Arizona, citrus trees offer tripleyou get the chance to attend, you can taste a wide benefits to those who plant them and tend them with care.variety of fruit in one setting and decide what you would like in your yard. Trees that do well here include Arizonaoccur. I am holding off on moving because I dont want to First, many types of citrus trees like lemon and oranges doSweets, Navels, Meyer Lemon, Blood Oranges, Grapefruit,shock the trees and thereby thwart the benefit of all that well here. They provide beauty for your yard, shelter, andand many more.rain. These mesquites are native to the Sonoran Desert and food for birds, and they attract important pollinators. TheyI am hoping that they will mature and produce bountiful also smell great when flowering. Second, mature citrus treesAside from citrus, the month of January, while a little chilly,harvests of mesquite pods. Mesquites are a type of legume provide much-needed shade in summer and they help reduceis the key to having a great spring garden. Many otherand are edible. The pods can be ground up for flour noise pollution and provide privacy if planted along thegood things are ready to eat like kale, broccoli, cauliflower,and used in baked goods, smoothies and other recipes. perimeters of your property. Third, citrus trees will give you,carrots, herbs, celery, turnips, and even peas. Plus, youMesquite flour is naturally a little sweet, so when used in the gardener, a hassle-free crop of fresh, nutritious fruits andcan start to plant other crops radish, lettuce, bok choy,baked goods, the sugar content is reduced significantly. delicious juices that you can use in a variety of ways.asparagus, and potatoes. Some people also plant tomatoes and peppers. If you do, just be sure to cover them on chillyWhatever you plan to do in your garden, or on your patio, If you have ever wanted to try your hand at growingnights. You can also plan successive planting for February,I wish you success for the New Year! I encourage you to try oranges or lemons, I highly recommend it. Oranges andMarch, and April in your own garden to ensure a steadyyour hand at growing something beautiful or delicious. The lemons are very versatile. You can eat them fresh, or juicesupply and take advantage of our beautiful spring weather. Isimple art of planting and tending a flower, a tree, a container them. Dont have room for juice in the fridge? You canhope to plant additional broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets,or, a kitchen garden, is a healthy and calming activity that also freeze it for later use or even can juice and store it.kale and cabbage, herbs, and wildflowers. has many benefits for you, your family, and your life. I have used orange blossoms, leaves, and dried slices in homemade potpourri. I have baked orange bread, madeDue to the ample rain we received in December, the soilHappy Digging!! orange chicken, and drank a few tequila sunrises. The listin my garden beds was more than adequately watered. My of deliciousness and what you can create with citrus isplan to move the small mesquite trees that came up in myFor more information about planting times in Arizona:only limited by your imagination and your energy levels.monsoon garden will be put on hold temporarily. I amhttps://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/curious and want to monitor the growth that will mostlyfiles/pubs/az1005-2018.pdf20 January 2023'