Getting Ready For Outdoor Parties Print

• Sonoran Toads are busy this time of year!
• More on photography & the great work you can find in Arizona Highways Magazine.
• Using photography and magazines to get your kids excited about venturing outdoors in Arizona.

Sign Up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation!!!

We're joined by food expert and blogger, Joanie Simon!

• Joanie shares her favorite picks for her family.
• Chilli, hummus & some great picks for parties on the patio!
• Tips on making hummus....she'll make you hungry.
• Joanie says pressure cookers are your friend.
• "Mexican Style" Sweetcorn. Yum! (Joanie worked with Shamrock Farms to come up with this one)
• Cowboy Deviled Eggs....You guessed it, they sound great!

• Another great staple, especially for football seson. Wings!
• Different varieties from the standard wings. Oven-baked or deep frying.
• Using rice as a starter for your weekend grillouts.
• Click the link above for all of Joanie's recipes.

It's time to head into the backyard to talk trees with certified arborist, John Eisenhower with Integrity Tree Service!

Tree of The Month:  John talks about several big trees and the time and place for Sissou trees (after we bad mouthed them for a few weeks) Shade!!!

• We discuss the Shamel Ash and a few varieties of this and why they could be good for your yard.
• The benefits of a fan tex ash.
• John's advice on putting in a treehouse or a tire swing.
• Advice on hanging a hammock in the yard.

Callers:

• Ricky - Her date palm is creating too much litter and wants to know if she cuts the date pods off, will she have to do it every year?

Recommendation - They are seasonal, but you don't want to remove them too early or they will reproduce and you'll have to cut them down multiple times. John recommends removing them once a year (late May, early June)

*Discussing pricing options for certain pruning chores.

• Tom - The leaves on his red push pistache tree are discolored and some are turing dark brown on the outer edges of the canopy....

Recommendation - We'll cover it in the next segment.

Continuing with Tom - It sounds like it could have been over-watered and John thinks he should check the soil with a probe to make sure it's drying out enough in between waterings.  It should be wet to about 2 feet dry.

•  Alternatives for sissuo trees. (John really likes the Texas Live Oak)

Callers:

• Susan - She has two mature citrus trees in her front yard and they're starting to not look good. She has large pots around the base of the tree. Could that cause a problem?

Recommendation - She could be right. Citrus trees are very senstive around the base of the tree (The root collar) to fungal pathogens.  Watering plants around the base of the tree keeps the ground wet and not drying out properly.  Keeping the area immediately around the base of the tree dry is a good idea.

• Denise - Her lemon tree looks dead and she's not sure what to do....

Recommendation - John talks about pruning practices and how exposed tree trunks can burn up. He also talks watering, etc. We'd need to see some pics, but this is common in the area, recently.

*You can attend pruning classes with John at the Desert Botanical Garden, plus a few other upcoming events.

Caller:

• Bill -His Texas Live Oak has yellowish leaves and they're turning brown.

Recommendation - With an irrigated lot, it should have enough water but this has been an extreme summer for heat. It could be that, but it would take a site visit to know for sure. A lot of trees are just stressed out at the end of an unusually hot summer.

*Discussions on watering the proper amount.

Reach John during the week at Integrity Tree Service!

Email From A Listeners:

• Jason - He has some damage to his wall and wants tips on getting it fixed. 

Recommendation - It's a wood-framed stucco home that can be patched.  Make sure the water barrier wasn't damaged and then he can pick up materials at Marvel Building & Masonry Supply, then pick up a paint match at PPG Pittsburgh Paints.

• Michael - He was looking for a contractor to work for and Romey talks through how to find one in his area.
• Linda - What was the name of the shade structure we were talking about last week in Flagstaff?

Recommendation  - It was the Shed-in-a-Box sold by the Tractor Supply Company.

• We give a lucky winner a Grillbot!

Email From a Listener:

• Don - Can we recommend a product to use on his artificial turf to get rid of a dog smell?

Recommendation - We love this product from WysiWash!

Text From a Listener:

• Dave from The Gardener's Touch heard us talking about cleanng up after pets and recommends using a product from Biofeed. 

*For th WyziWig Products we discussed last segment, you can call Easy Turf Landscaping and they'll be able to help you out.

Letter From A Listener:

• Karen & Steve - Energy savings paint that goes onto the roof. Should they use it?

Recommendation - The quote is $5,400 and it would take way too long to get a return on your investment. Be wary. It does NOT sound like a good idea.

*Romey talks about a new product, cork based paint.

Callers:

• Karen - She has a neighbor that is leaving a mess in her yard and she wants a tip on catching or stopping the person doing this.

Recommendation - She could use a "game camera" that will take a picture when a motion sensor goes off.

• Ken - About 10 years ago, he installed some acrylic tile and it's been damaged. What can he do to fix the divets?

Recommendation - Take a picture to Cohills Building Supply or Marvel Masonry & Supply and they should be able to get a close match.

We're discussing the upcoming "Patio Weather" and making your home a tailgate destination:

• Make sure you have activities for people NOT interested in the game.
• Tips on choosing a TV & where to place it.
• Pricing expectations & where to buy.
• Mounting the TV properly.
• Seating.

Text From a Listener:

• Kristine - If you don't have a large yard, don't put in a really loud audio system. Take your neighbor into consideration!

Back to Back Patio Setup:

• Fires! Fire pits, grills and outdoor fireplaces.
• Building in phases according to your budget.

• Options for keeping your back patio cool if it gets too hot outside.
• Food prep and options for desiging around a grill and other options to keep your guests fed & happy.

Mike Russel from KTAR's "Get Outdoors Show" to talk about backyard camping:

• Have the kids help you get all the gear out and make sure it's all there.
• Doing this will ensure you're ready to go next time you hit the road.
• Mike loves his Jumping Jack Trailer.

• What about bringing the party with you?!? How about the Belgard "Tailgater Brick Oven"
• More tips on getting your family out on a camping trip.

Join Rosie On The House Every Saturday Morning!!!