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Vadito, New Mexico, bee researcher Melanie Kirby with beekeeping brothers, Antonio and Francisco Velasquez, checking on their beehives in Alora, Andalucía.Courtesy Melanie Kirby
Local beekeeper's research takes new form
Taos News spoke with Vadito, New Mexico, beekeeper Melanie Kirby as she prepared to go to Spain to study honeybees on a Fulbright scholarship in 2019. One topic she was … more
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Courtesy Sarah NelsonA male Bullock's oriole in the area eats from an orange. The birds, which are prevalent in Northern New Mexico in spring, also will feed on grape jelly.
For the Birds
Mid-May is peak migration and we are seeing a flood of colorful birds in Northern New Mexico. The eye-popping Bullock's oriole is showing up at area backyards, some to nest and others stopping before farther migration. more
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Tulips gone by and ready to be deadheaded, leaving the lush foliage behind.
Busy in the garden in the merry month of May
I'm not sure how merry the month of May is this year, but gardening goes on. This is the big planting month. Aside from providing food and beauty for … more
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Morgan Timms/Taos News Intern Daniel Martinez holds braided corn prepared by youth from Taos Pueblo and other villages in 2019 in front of the farm from which it grew. The interns, aged 15 to 18, grew corn to preserve the kernels for seeds at the Taos County Economic Development Corporation. The New Mexico Acequia Association is offering free seeds to farmers and gardeners who apply for packets.
Need seeds? N.M. acequia association has some for you
The New Mexico Acequia Association is providing vegetable and traditional crop seeds for a limited time to farmers and gardeners."If you are in need of seed and have not yet made your request, please … more
ShutterstockJoseph Morton, who will present a talk on fungi Wednesday (March 18) at 6 p.m. in the boardroom of the Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, 118 Cruz Alta Road, said the organisms 'provide food … and are a major source of antibiotics for combating bacterial diseases.'
What you should know about fabulous fungi
Many of you probably saw the documentary film "Fantastic Fungi" that played at Taos Community Auditorium last month and were knocked out by the astonishing photography of the multitudes of forms these organisms take. more
Patty Donaldson uses a rake to clean up a friend's garden. March is a good time to clean up debris in the yard and make ready for spring planting.
Spring winds and seed starting
I passed one of my neighbors on the road in the end of February. She said she had been enjoying my gardening articles in the paper but added that she only has a small flower bed in her courtyard. She was wondering when she should clean it up. I told her to look for this month's article about tasks for the garden, because now is the time to start. more
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Nan FischerDahlia grown from a tuber. In February, walk around and inspect your flower beds. Look for plants that have heaved out of the soil and gently put them back in place being sure the roots are buried again. Top the soil with mulch.
Top tips for pruning fruit trees in February
It's hard not to get excited about spring this time of year as the sun moves north and comes into the house at different angles. Days are visibly lengthening, another sign spring is … more
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Fencing can serve as an arresting feature in winter, especially after snowfall.
Banish winter woes with a vibrant snowy landscape
As I look out my window this morning in the new year, the gardens I did not clean up in fall are outlined with frozen fog. Backlit by the early morning sun, flower stalks, tree branches and wire fences seem so delicate they would break if touched. more
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Top 10 holiday decorating safety tips
Some tips to keep you safe as you make a festive holiday home: more
Courtesy photoFinding the perfect Yule tree is an activity the whole family can enjoy together, even down to the youngest members.
Cutting, digging or buying a Christmas Tree
The annual ritual of buying a Christmas tree is upon us. There are several options afforded us here in Taos. more
Nan FischerMelissa Mead of Succulent Journey surrounded by potted plants that make a great holiday gift for gardeners.
Great gifts for the gardener
Even though there is snow on the ground and last year's gardens are a distant memory, we gardeners are planning for the upcoming growing season. Just because we are not out … more
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Each type of bulb should be planted at a specific depth so read the package as you prepare to plant.
Plant bulbs now for colorful spring
Winter is coming but by late February and March there are just times you need a little pop of color to brighten your day. And frankly I get hungry for color at the end of winter. A solution for this is planting bulbs. more
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Snow decorating a bush honeysuckle that also has berries on it for the birds.
Autumn garden cleanup do's and don'ts
Frost has arrived signaling the end of the growing season and time for garden cleanup. There are two schools of thought about fall chores. One calls for a … more
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Los Jardineros: Celebrating autumn, preparing gardens
The autumnal equinox occurred on Sept. 21 and we've said goodbye to the summer sun while those cooler evenings and mornings let us know the beautiful fall days are here. So take … more
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Courtesy New Mexico Department of AgricultureFarmers, ranchers and gardeners can apply for state grants to support healthy soil projects but must do so through a qualifying entity such as a pueblo, acequia association or soil and water conservation district. Deadline is Nov. 6 for applications.
State grants available to build healthy soil
Healthy soil is key to growing grass and crops, holding onto rainwater and snowmelt and preventing erosion.The New Mexico Department of Agriculture is offering grants to help farmers, ranchers and … more
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Figs: A nutritional powerhouse
Patricia West-BarkerFor The Taos News"What fruit has the eye of a widow and wears the cloak of a beggar?" asks an old Spanish riddle. Answer: A really ripe fig, when the oculus on its bottom opens … more
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Nan FischerCovering a fall garden with straw mulch helps protect plants from frost, which can damage roots and reduce a total harvest.
Protect your plants: first frost is around the corner
As I write this, the forecast is for another 89-degree day, the umpteenth in a row. A weak monsoon season has not brought relief each afternoon, so it seems like it will never cool … more
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Nan FischerZinnias are among many flower and herb varieties that make excellent cut flowers that last a long time.
Beautiful blooms year-round
Do you cut flowers from your borders to bring inside and end up leaving empty spaces that affect the overall design? Do you spend too much money buying bouquets? Would you … more
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Herb of the Month
Valerian, Fragrant Valerian Spanish: Valeriana Family: Valerianaceae Genus & Species Valeriana acutiloba, Valeriana arizonica, Valeriana edulis Valerian is one of the best-known medicinal herbs, … more
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Courtesy Leonardo Weiss Wikimedia CommonsPocket gophers along with voles and prairie dogs are among the little creatures that bring big headaches to Northern New Mexico gardeners.
Natural alternatives can deter garden pests, rodents
As I write this, all across Taos, hollyhocks are stretching their bloom stocks skyward, Russian sage is in full force while thistles line the roadsides and grow in opportune open … more
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Courtesy photoThe cost of a restucco job typically ranges from $4.50 to $6 per square foot, but there are all kinds of variables. Among them is the condition of the old material, the ease of access and erection of scaffolding.
What's your stucco situation?
The skin of a house - the roof and the stucco on the walls - holds early … more
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A ramada at a house that will be on the annual Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos home and garden tour scheduled Saturday (Aug. 3). The club, which raises money to help nonprofits with landscaping projects, is celebrating its 70th anniversary of beautifying Taos.
Los Jardineros Taos Garden and Home Tour: inspiration for landscaped beauty
Los Jardineros Garden Club of Taos is celebrating its 70th anniversary of beautifying Taos by holding it's annual Garden and Home Tour on Saturday (Aug. 3). The tour is … more
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Jan Martenson/Courtesy photoThe musk, or nodding, thistle is a noxious weed that is spreading and can be confused with the native thistle. One difference between the two is the phyllaries of the musk thistle are broad and spiky with no filaments.
How noxious weeds impact native flora
What is a weed anyway? To many it's simply a plant growing where you don't want it, whether it's native or "exotic," originating outside of North America. But one class of weeds is … more
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Mary Adams/courtesy photoDesert penstemon (Penstemon pseudospectabilis), although native to the southwestern counties of New Mexico, grows well in the dry sage habitats of Taos. Its hot pink flowers are attractive to hummingbirds.
Check out the latest gardening obsession – Penstemons
Penstemons, also called beardtongues, are starting to bloom around Taos. Most common is probably the Rocky Mountain penstemon (Penstemon strictus), which sport rich blue-purple blossoms that can be … more
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Photo courtesy Stan ShebsCañiagre is native to western North America and grows from sea level to 8,000 feet. It can grow in a wide variety of habitats but flourishes in sandy soil in drainage areas where water will accumulate after rains or adjacent to acequias and streams.
Cañiagre sooths sunburn, sore gums, blistered feet
Spanish: Cañiagre, CañiagriaEnglish: Red dock, curly dock, tanner's dockFamily: Polygonacea (Buckwheat family)Genus species: Rumex hymenosepalusCañiagre is native to western North … more
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