UCCE Master Gardeners of Riverside County

Desert Events & Updates

March 2023

What to Plant in March

Trees, shrubs, perennials

• Container roses, shrubs and trees.

Flowers

• Canterbury Bells, Forget-Me-Nots, Foxglove, Pansies, Primula, Delphinium, Nemesia, Matthiola and Sweet Peas

Fruits & Vegetables

• Radish, lettuce, cabbage family, chard, rhubarb, cane berries, grapes, snap beans, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, melons, squash, cantaloupes, melons, sweet corn, cucumbers and potatoes.

Lawns

• Seed and renovate lawns



Planting Schedule

Justicia californica (Chuparosa)

is a species of flowering shrub native to the deserts of southern California, Arizona, and northern Mexico. Its common names include chuparosa, hummingbird bush, and beloperone. It is one of the northernmost distributed species of the mostly tropical genus Justicia. This is a low bush which grows in dry, hot regions in the sand or rocky terrain of the desert floor. Chuparosa produces plentiful tubular flowers, usually in shades of bright to deep red, or sometimes yellow. Hummingbirds visit the bush to feed on the nectar; the common name chuparosa is Spanish for hummingbirds.

Native Plant Guide

Cutworms are pests found mainly in the spring. To help prevent cutworms, destroy crop residues and keep your garden weed-free in winter. Hand-picking at night with a flashlight is a very effective control. Clip and dispose of infested foliage and blossoms.

Pests can be broken into four main categories:

• Vertebrate Pests-Have a backbone. Examples: Rodents, birds, reptiles, and other mammals.
• Invertebrate Pests-No backbone. Examples: Insets, spiders, ticks, slugs.
• Weeds-Any plant growing out of place.
• Diseases-Fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Integrated Pest Management

Experienced dry-climate gardeners realize the importance of managing soil, water and plants successfully. Fortunately, Coachella Valley soils can easily be made more productive. In upland and eroded areas of the Coachella Valley, soils are shallow and require more work to become acceptable for plant growth. Mix Soil amendments, compost, etc. evenly and deeply into sandy and clay soils, 40% or more by volume, before planting. Soil Tip

UC Master Gardeners are available and hope to see you at these Certified Farmers Markets:

PALM SPRINGS 

Saturday, March 4 & 18 - 8am - 1:00 pm

2300 E. Baristo Rd, Palm Springs, CA, 92262

PALM DESERT 

Sunday March 12 & 26 - 8am - 1:00 pm

72559 Hwy 111, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Corona - Saturday, March 4, from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Corona Mall, 309 S. Main Street

Temecula Promenade Mall - Wednesday, March 1 & 15, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at 40820 Winchester Road (J.C. Penney parking lot)

Vail Ranch HQ - Tuesdays, March 7 & 21, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, at 32115 Temecula Parkway (Between Ross and Kohl's)

Moreno Valley - Thursday, March 9, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, 26520 Cactus Avenue (University Health System Medical Center)

Riverside Downtown- Saturday, March 11, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm, Main Street between 5th & 6th

Murrieta - Sunday, March 19, from 8:30 am-1:30 pm, 2422 Village Walk Plaza (Village Walk Place Shopping Center)

Advice to Grow by…Ask Us!

Have a Gardening Question...Ask our UC Master Gardener of Riverside County Helpline!

Please include as much detail as possible along with any relevant photos that illustrate your problem/question.

This service is free of charge and is provided year-round by UC Master Gardener of Riverside County Volunteers.

Email your question(s) to:

Desert Area: anrmgindio@ucanr.edu

West County: anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu 

Recent Desert Helpline Inquiry

I would love to know any recommendations for a low maintenance/ native plant that hummingbirds love? I have drip line irrigation, and am looking for a hummingbird friendly plant to live just outside a window. Sincerely, Mark 

Many people do not realize it but hummingbirds are not just pretty and fun to watch. They are also an integral segment of our pollinator population and are voracious mosquito and insect hunters. Thank you so much for wanting to support our pollinator population.

There are several options for your garden space. One key consideration as you make your choice is whether the pictured area is shaded, partially shaded, or in full sun. If the window is facing south, it will receive full sun in the winter and be partially shaded in the summer; conversely, if facing north it will be in full shade during the winter and mostly full sun in the summer. East will receive morning sun and afternoon shade; while west facing will receive the full brunt of our afternoon sun and heat.

Plants that are hummingbird magnets and should do well include Desert Honeysuckle, Tacoma Stans, Little John Bottlebrush, and the Mexican Bird of Paradise. And, as you'll see in the Lush & Efficient book, there are many options.

Join Linda Mullins, certified organic avocado farmer and UCCE Riverside County Master Gardener, 10 am, Sat, Mar 4, at Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District, 4500 Glenwood Drive, Riverside. Linda will share her vast knowledge about avocados and will lead a walk through the demonstration grove. Learn how to choose the best avocados at the grocery store, as well as how to grow thriving avocado trees in your yard. There will be a scion exchange at 12 p.m. 

Interested in becoming a UCCE Master Gardener of Riverside County? Becoming a UCCE Master Gardener begins with a personal commitment to education and service to the community. Feel free to contact Rosa Olaiz at rmolaiz@ucanr.edu for any questions you may have. Visit Website