in So AZ	Welcome to "the Organic Patch" We look at pest problems, herb uses, and sustainable living. DESERT FLORA and FAUNA
Creatures out on the llano are many, sending me to nature books, the University of Arizona and other sources to identify them. Tarantula hawks like this one are prolific out here, though some tarantulas I have seen are small and hide most parts of the year.Then there are the huge tarantulas too that sport a sable-looking fur coat on the abdomen which is very attractive. "A painful but not dangerous bite" is written about centipedes, crab spiders and tarantulas which get huge out here! I once brought into the casa a silver dollar sized papery globe. I got sleepy while reading about it. Next moring I read more only to discover the mother crab spider had chewed through and released the babies just as the book said! Because of cattle ranching, many invasive grasses have crowded out native grasses. They were introduced to feed cattle years ago in some cases, and the grass seed travels farther and farther down washes and on the wind as years pass. I sifted many mounds of soil and compost to prevent devil grass (bermuda) from getting a foot hold on my little ranchette; so far so good. I did bring malva with me which can be steamed as greens, but I try and prevent the spread by harvesting before seeds form.
Fall plantings of annuals continues and sheet composting of perennials. And new tree and bush holes with soil amendments can be prepared ahead and kept slightly moist. Irrigate if you can on low water just a few times a week. I am trying to ID fruit and other deciduous trees, native plants and medicinal herbs to grow in groups in southern Arizona. I have been looking into guilds, groups of plants that compliment each other. One of my favorite books is Gaia's Garden, A Guide to Home-Scale Permaculture by Tony Hemenway.

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