O’er the past year we’ve learned about growing and gardening Much was uplifting and some just disheartening.

From fungus gnats in soil that’s wet To learning about the emerald ash borer threat

We covered troubles with old trees, new trees, and grapes Reblooming orchids and pruning mistakes

I’ve written ‘bout fruit trees and some of their horrors Fire blight, frost damage, and apricot borers

We gave reasons to leave winter gardens in squalor And mechanisms explaining how leaves change their color

Pomegranates bursting early are the absolute worst Some days it seems that our gardens are cursed

But we try try again, and we dust off our pants, For they say the best gardeners have killed the most plants.

Fifty-two columns, that ain’t nothing to sneeze at Thanks to others who’ve helped me when I’ve fallen flat

I apologize fully for questions ignored And I assure you it wasn’t because I was bored

From geranium hardiness to tulip disease, It’s not that I don’t care, it's my time that’s too squeezed

Upcoming columns o’er the NEXT fifty-two weeks Will also be chock full of garden techniques

The projects I’m working on through the course of the year Will weave themselves in, exactly how is unclear

From decorative bulbs and wild artichokes To rare prickly pears and varieties of oaks,

From tomatoes to tulips, the topics wide-ranging,
I’m revising tree lists ‘cause the climate is changing.

We’ll also be researching how to grow hemp The internal compounds may respond well to temp

No matter what happens, this year we’ll be learning ‘bout plants that are easy and some more concerning

Send questions about daffodils, tomatoes, and mulch Or ask about planting alongside a steep gulch

As always, you’ll find info links on the blog Where columns are listed in a long catalog

The internet’s rich with virtual classrooms Follow our program at NMDesertBlooms.

We'll try to help out as much as we can Whether you’re growing potatoes or trees of pecan

I’m looking for plant problems much like a vulture There’s lots to be learned in the world of horticulture

No question is stupid. I'm not a snob. I’ll take the easy and tough ones ‘cause I love my plant job

If YOU’RE interested in it, you’ve got my attention. That’s what we do here in Cooperative Extension.

- The End

Marisa Y. Thompson, PhD, is the Extension Horticulture Specialist, in the Department of Extension Plant Sciences at the New Mexico State University Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, email: desertblooms@nmsu.edu, office: 505-865-7340, ext. 113.

Links:

For more gardening information, visit the NMSU Extension Horticulture page at Desert Blooms and the NMSU Horticulture Publications page.

Send gardening questions to Southwest Yard and Garden - Attn: Dr. Marisa Thompson at desertblooms@nmsu.edu, or at the Desert Blooms Facebook page.

Please copy your County Extension Agent and indicate your county of residence when you submit your question!