Tag: Arizona

Arizona Garden in April
[ad_1]
April’s sunny, warm days and cool nights are perfect for the garden and the gardener. However, this is not the time to procrastinate – warmer temperatures are coming, and preparing the low desert Arizona garden in April for the hot summer ahead is important.

Lavender

Jump to the Arizona Garden in April Checklist

Low desert includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

Snapdragons and Ranunculus in bloom

What you do in your Arizona garden in April will affect how your garden, herbs, and flowers withstand the heat of the upcoming summer. Look at what’s growing in my Mesa, Arizona garden this month, and see my list of which garden tasks to do and the vegetables, herbs, and flowers to plant in your Arizona garden in April.

Lupine

Vegetables growing in the low desert Arizona garden in April

April is a great month for harvesting carrots planted in the fall. Leave carrots in the ground until ready to eat, but harvest carrots before the heat of the summer if you live in hot places like Arizona (the heat can turn them bitter).

A tip to remember: the shorter-variety carrots are best eaten fresh, while longer carrots are better suited to storage.

Bean seeds do best when sown directly into the soil. Plant them 1 inch deep and space them 2 inches apart. Beans should sprout in 5 to 10 days. Like many other garden plants, beans need plenty of sun to grow properly. Keep the soil moist and well-drained for happy beans.

It’s time to harvest the celery from your garden. Celery doesn’t like hot temperatures, and the flavor will be affected – it will become bitter. The celery will also bolt – meaning the plant focuses on producing seeds. You will see a central stalk become taller and literally “bolt.” If it remains in the ground, it will flower and produce seeds.

Strawberries

Artichokes

Summer Squash

Beets and Lobelia

Flowers growing in the low desert Arizona garden in April

Nasturtiums put on their big show this month. The beautiful, edible blooms are everywhere! Be sure to save seeds to share with friends and family. Nasturtiums reseed easily; once you plant them, they often return year after year.

Pictured here are Vitex (chaste tree), petunias, and blue plumbago – all of which bloom and are beautiful in Arizona gardens in April.

African Daisies

Delphinium (Larkspur)

Dahlia

Star Jasmine

Foxglove

Cornflower (Bachelor’s Button)

Strawflower

Roses

Hollyhocks

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in April

Harvest Rio Red Grapefruit (pictured here) begins in December and continues until the heat of summer.

Take advantage of citrus season by juicing citrus. Juiced citrus stores well in the fridge for several weeks and can be frozen for several months. This article shares my best tips for juicing citrus.

As blossoms become fruit on your fruit trees, fruit should be thinned before it is an inch in diameter—thin fruit within about a month after full bloom. Fruit thinned later than this lessens the chance that fruit size will increase. For more information about how to thin fruit, read this article.

Early-ripening peaches (such as Earligrande, pictured here) may be ready to pick this month. The big delicious fruit is the benefit of all that thinning you did. Enjoy the fruit of your labors, and pick them before the birds get them!

Read this article for more information about how to grow peach trees.

Passionfruit Vine

Mulberries

Container Fig Tree

Herbs in the low desert Arizona garden in April

Flowering dill attracts pollinators and is a great companion plant to many vegetables.

Lemon Verbena Transplant

Calendula

Borage

Dill

Chamomile

Bay Laurel

Low desert Arizona garden in April Checklist:

Potato bugs (rollie-pollies) are active this month. Read this post for tips on managing them organically.

Genista Caterpillar on Texas Mountain Laurel. Allow for some damage or use Bt to control if infestation is severe.

Planting:
- April is a good time to plant citrus trees and fig trees.
- Fruit trees can be planted early in the month so they have time to settle in before the heat of the summer. Look for varieties that require less than 400 chill hours, have early maturing fruit, and are self-pollinating.
- April is an excellent time to plant most trees, bushes, and perennials, as well as frost-sensitive plants such as lantana and hibiscus. Plant summer-flowering shrubs. Do not over-plant; be aware of the mature size of the plant and space accordingly.
- Think twice before planting cool-season annuals this month. It will be heating up soon, and their time in the ground will be short. Better to plant warm-season flowers when they are available.
Watering:
- Check irrigation system and timer. Run the system and inspect all drips and sprinklers for leaks and proper watering. I use this watering system from Garden in Minutes. (Use code Angela10 to save $10 off $100.)
- As temperatures heat up, annual plants will need more frequent watering. Water to the depth of your beds, and allow the top of the soil to dry out before watering again.
- Check containers with a moisture meter or ensure the top inch or so of soil has dried out before watering.
- Established citrus trees should be watered once every 10-14 days.
- Water established fruit trees once every 7-10 days.
- Wateruseitwisely.com is a helpful resource for landscape watering guidelines.
Pruning:
- Prune dead branches out of trees and shrubs.
- Spring-flowering shrubs can be pruned lightly after they bloom; water well after pruning.
- If you didn’t do it in March, clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- Remove water sprouts from lemon trees.
- If desired, train pomegranates to a wall or prune them to a manageable size.
- Don’t prune newly-planted trees or shrubs.
- Do not prune lavender, rosemary, sage, or thyme.
- Prune basil, lemongrass, and mint.
Fertilizing:

Yard to do and clean-up:

Clean out pots and containers before replanting.
- Thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees. This article will help explain the process.
- Clear out remaining cool-season vegetables.
- Collect seeds from spring wildflowers and cool-season annuals sown in October and November.
- Remove spent winter-growing annuals. Stressed plants attract pests.
- Thin warm-season annuals to keep plants from overcrowding each other.
- Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- If you did not do it back in March, remove dead plants in yard. Look at the landscape, and make note of how plants look.
- Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of shrubs and trees. Mulching reduces soil temperatures and adds organic matter to the soil.
- Mulch, mulch, mulch!!! Compost is a great mulch and can be worked into the soil at the end of the season.
Use sulfur for powdery mildew on grapes

What to plant in the low desert Arizona Garden in April

Before planting:
- Prepare beds for planting – Add compost and other organic matter to the soil.
- It’s important to have your soil tested at least once a year. A soil test can determine the health of your soil. I use this test kit from Amazon.
- Add a balanced fertilizer if needed.
Vegetables, herbs & fruit to plant in the low desert in April

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant

Vegetable, herb & fruit seeds to start indoors in April

(Click the link for seed sources.)
PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists vegetables, fruit & herbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.

HARVEST GUIDE: Photos show what may be ready to harvest that month.

Planting dates are for the low desert of Arizona (zone 9b).
Flowers to plant in the low desert garden in April

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
Angelonia (T)

Celosia (T)

Chamomile (T)

Coleus (T)

Coreopsis (ST)

Cosmos (S)

Creeping Zinnia (ST)

Dahlia (tuber)

Dusty Miller (T)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed / T= Transplant

Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in April

(Click the link for seed sources.)

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

If this post about gardening in Arizona during April was helpful, please share it:
[ad_2]

Angela Judd

Source link
March 26, 2024
Will Arizona voters ever have enough of Trump’s bad behavior?

[ad_1]

For nearly 30 years she was a feisty, outspoken booster of women through her Elle magazine advice column. It heralded our untapped powers and advised us to plow ahead despite rejections and not to center our lives around men…

[ad_2]

Rekha Basu

Source link

March 26, 2024
How to Grow Sweet Peas
[ad_1]
Facebook208
Learn how to grow sweet peas with these 5 tips, and add beautiful and sweet-smelling blooms to your garden. Sweet peas are a relatively easy flower to grow and can add beauty, fragrance, and charm to any garden.

Sweet peas growing in Butchart Gardens

I first saw sweet peas at The Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, and I was blown away by their beauty. When I grew my own, I was blown away by something else… the smell! I wish you could smell them. People often tell me this flower (and the smell!) reminds them of their mom’s or grandma’s garden.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.

5 Tips for How to Grow Sweet Peas

1. Plant sweet peas early in the season

The best time to plant sweet peas depends on your location and climate, but in general, sweet pea seeds can be directly sown into the ground in early spring or fall, when the soil temperature is around 50-60°F (10-15°C).

Sweet peas prefer cool soil and bloom best before the weather gets hot. In zones 7 and colder, start seeds indoors and transplant sweet peas as soon as the soil is dry enough to work in. Don’t wait until after the last frost.

In mild winter areas (zone 8-10) like the low desert of Arizona, plant in the fall from October through January.

Start seeds indoors:
September – January
Plant seeds or transplants outside:
October – February

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

2. Choose the best type of sweet peas for your area and preferences

Many sweet pea varieties are day-length sensitive, meaning they grow best in certain areas of the country. Choose a type that will grow well in your area. The fragrance differs between types as well.

3. Plant and care for sweet peas as they grow

Choosing a location:

In most areas, choose a location in full sun. Sweet peas prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and has good drainage. If your summers are very hot such as in Arizona, choose a location that gets morning sun and some afternoon shade.

Sweet peas grow well in soil amended with plenty of compost and organic matter. Sweet peas prefer soil a bit on the alkaline side; amend with lime if soil is acidic.

How to plant sweet peas:
- Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 2-3 inches apart. Thin to about 5 inches apart when seedlings are 2-3 inches tall so that each plant has enough space to grow and receive enough nutrients.
- For square foot gardening, plant 4 sweet peas per square.
Caring for sweet peas:
- Mulch around the base: Mulching around the base of the sweet pea plant can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce weed growth.
- Provide regular water and fertilization: Sweet peas need regular watering and fertilization to produce healthy plants and abundant blooms. Water deeply and consistently, and fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Watch for pests and diseases: Sweet peas can be susceptible to pests and diseases, such as aphids, slugs, and powdery mildew. Look for any signs of infestation or disease and take action as needed.
Pruning sweet peas:
- Pinch off the tips of young plants: When the young plants have developed four to six leaves, pinch off the top one to two inches of growth. This will encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
- Remove dead or damaged growth: As with any plant, it’s important to remove dead or damaged growth. This will help promote healthy new growth and prevent disease.
- Remove spent flowers: As mentioned earlier, removing spent flowers (deadheading) can help prolong blooming and encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
- Cut back after the first flush of blooms: Once the first flush of blooms has faded and if temperatures are still cool, you can cut the plant back by half to encourage new growth and more flowers.
- Don’t prune too hard: While pruning can be beneficial, it’s important not to prune too hard or too late in the season. Pruning too hard or too late can remove next year’s blooms and weaken the plant.
4. Give sweet peas support as they grow

Most sweet peas can grow to heights of 8-10 feet. Put trellises in place before you plant so as not to disturb the roots. Guide young plants to the trellis and then tendrils will find supports and climb.

Remember to choose a support structure that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the sweet pea vines as they grow. It’s also a good idea to provide support early on in the sweet pea’s growth to avoid damaging the plant later on.

Ideas for supporting sweet peas:
- Trellis: One of the most common ways to support sweet peas is to use a trellis. You can buy a trellis or make your own from wood or bamboo stakes. Train the sweet pea vines onto the trellis as they grow.
- Netting: Another option is to use plastic netting, which can provide support for the sweet pea vines as they climb. You can attach the netting to wooden stakes or plastic poles.
- Arches: If you want to create a unique look in your garden, consider using arches to support your sweet peas. You can buy metal or wooden arches, or create your own from bent PVC pipes.
- Fences: If you have a fence in your garden, train the sweet pea vines to climb up it. You can also attach netting or string to the fence to help support the vines.
- Obelisks: Obelisks are tall, narrow structures that can provide support for sweet peas. You can buy obelisks or make your own from wood or bamboo stakes.
- Hanging baskets: Sweet peas can also be grown in hanging baskets. Plant the sweet pea seeds in the bottom of the basket and train the vines to climb up the sides and over the top.
5. Tips for encouraging more sweet pea blooms

To prolong sweet pea blooms, you can take a few steps:

Deadhead regularly: As the sweet peas begin to fade or wilt, remove them to encourage the plant to keep producing more flowers. Harvesting sweet peas regularly can help promote more blooms and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy or top-heavy.

Keep the soil moist: Sweet peas prefer well-draining soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely.

Fertilize regularly: Sweet peas are heavy feeders and can benefit from regular fertilization if you have a long growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks if desired.

Provide support: This will help the sweet peas produce more blooms and help prevent the plant from becoming tangled or overstressed.

Keep them cool: Mulch around the base of the plant to help keep the soil cool and the roots moist.

Harvesting tips for cut flowers
- Once blooms begin, harvest at least every other day to encourage blooming.
- Blossoms will not open more once cut; harvest when all but the top few blossoms are open.
- Harvest blooms in the morning.
- Put stems in water right away.
- Blooms last 5-7 days; adding sugar or a floral preservative will increase vase life by a few days.
Unharvested blooms will develop seed pods, and blooms will stop. Save seeds to plant the following season. Be aware that hybrid varieties may not be true to type when saved.

Overall, sweet peas are a relatively easy flower to grow and can add beauty, fragrance, and charm to any garden. Provide them with the right growing conditions and support, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of flowers.

Comment below if you have questions about how to grow sweet peas, or share varieties of sweet peas you’ve tried and loved.
Facebook208
[ad_2]

Angela Judd

Source link
March 24, 2024
How to Grow Sweet Peas
[ad_1]
Facebook208
Learn how to grow sweet peas with these 5 tips, and add beautiful and sweet-smelling blooms to your garden. Sweet peas are a relatively easy flower to grow and can add beauty, fragrance, and charm to any garden.

Sweet peas growing in Butchart Gardens

I first saw sweet peas at The Butchart Gardens in British Columbia, and I was blown away by their beauty. When I grew my own, I was blown away by something else… the smell! I wish you could smell them. People often tell me this flower (and the smell!) reminds them of their mom’s or grandma’s garden.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.

5 Tips for How to Grow Sweet Peas

1. Plant sweet peas early in the season

The best time to plant sweet peas depends on your location and climate, but in general, sweet pea seeds can be directly sown into the ground in early spring or fall, when the soil temperature is around 50-60°F (10-15°C).

Sweet peas prefer cool soil and bloom best before the weather gets hot. In zones 7 and colder, start seeds indoors and transplant sweet peas as soon as the soil is dry enough to work in. Don’t wait until after the last frost.

In mild winter areas (zone 8-10) like the low desert of Arizona, plant in the fall from October through January.

Start seeds indoors:
September – January
Plant seeds or transplants outside:
October – February

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

2. Choose the best type of sweet peas for your area and preferences

Many sweet pea varieties are day-length sensitive, meaning they grow best in certain areas of the country. Choose a type that will grow well in your area. The fragrance differs between types as well.

3. Plant and care for sweet peas as they grow

Choosing a location:

In most areas, choose a location in full sun. Sweet peas prefer full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day and has good drainage. If your summers are very hot such as in Arizona, choose a location that gets morning sun and some afternoon shade.

Sweet peas grow well in soil amended with plenty of compost and organic matter. Sweet peas prefer soil a bit on the alkaline side; amend with lime if soil is acidic.

How to plant sweet peas:
- Plant seeds 1 inch deep, 2-3 inches apart. Thin to about 5 inches apart when seedlings are 2-3 inches tall so that each plant has enough space to grow and receive enough nutrients.
- For square foot gardening, plant 4 sweet peas per square.
Caring for sweet peas:
- Mulch around the base: Mulching around the base of the sweet pea plant can help retain moisture in the soil and reduce weed growth.
- Provide regular water and fertilization: Sweet peas need regular watering and fertilization to produce healthy plants and abundant blooms. Water deeply and consistently, and fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
- Watch for pests and diseases: Sweet peas can be susceptible to pests and diseases, such as aphids, slugs, and powdery mildew. Look for any signs of infestation or disease and take action as needed.
Pruning sweet peas:
- Pinch off the tips of young plants: When the young plants have developed four to six leaves, pinch off the top one to two inches of growth. This will encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
- Remove dead or damaged growth: As with any plant, it’s important to remove dead or damaged growth. This will help promote healthy new growth and prevent disease.
- Remove spent flowers: As mentioned earlier, removing spent flowers (deadheading) can help prolong blooming and encourage the plant to produce more flowers.
- Cut back after the first flush of blooms: Once the first flush of blooms has faded and if temperatures are still cool, you can cut the plant back by half to encourage new growth and more flowers.
- Don’t prune too hard: While pruning can be beneficial, it’s important not to prune too hard or too late in the season. Pruning too hard or too late can remove next year’s blooms and weaken the plant.
4. Give sweet peas support as they grow

Most sweet peas can grow to heights of 8-10 feet. Put trellises in place before you plant so as not to disturb the roots. Guide young plants to the trellis and then tendrils will find supports and climb.

Remember to choose a support structure that is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the sweet pea vines as they grow. It’s also a good idea to provide support early on in the sweet pea’s growth to avoid damaging the plant later on.

Ideas for supporting sweet peas:
- Trellis: One of the most common ways to support sweet peas is to use a trellis. You can buy a trellis or make your own from wood or bamboo stakes. Train the sweet pea vines onto the trellis as they grow.
- Netting: Another option is to use plastic netting, which can provide support for the sweet pea vines as they climb. You can attach the netting to wooden stakes or plastic poles.
- Arches: If you want to create a unique look in your garden, consider using arches to support your sweet peas. You can buy metal or wooden arches, or create your own from bent PVC pipes.
- Fences: If you have a fence in your garden, train the sweet pea vines to climb up it. You can also attach netting or string to the fence to help support the vines.
- Obelisks: Obelisks are tall, narrow structures that can provide support for sweet peas. You can buy obelisks or make your own from wood or bamboo stakes.
- Hanging baskets: Sweet peas can also be grown in hanging baskets. Plant the sweet pea seeds in the bottom of the basket and train the vines to climb up the sides and over the top.
5. Tips for encouraging more sweet pea blooms

To prolong sweet pea blooms, you can take a few steps:

Deadhead regularly: As the sweet peas begin to fade or wilt, remove them to encourage the plant to keep producing more flowers. Harvesting sweet peas regularly can help promote more blooms and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy or top-heavy.

Keep the soil moist: Sweet peas prefer well-draining soil that is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water regularly, especially during dry spells, and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out completely.

Fertilize regularly: Sweet peas are heavy feeders and can benefit from regular fertilization if you have a long growing season. Use a balanced fertilizer every 3-4 weeks if desired.

Provide support: This will help the sweet peas produce more blooms and help prevent the plant from becoming tangled or overstressed.

Keep them cool: Mulch around the base of the plant to help keep the soil cool and the roots moist.

Harvesting tips for cut flowers
- Once blooms begin, harvest at least every other day to encourage blooming.
- Blossoms will not open more once cut; harvest when all but the top few blossoms are open.
- Harvest blooms in the morning.
- Put stems in water right away.
- Blooms last 5-7 days; adding sugar or a floral preservative will increase vase life by a few days.
Unharvested blooms will develop seed pods, and blooms will stop. Save seeds to plant the following season. Be aware that hybrid varieties may not be true to type when saved.

Overall, sweet peas are a relatively easy flower to grow and can add beauty, fragrance, and charm to any garden. Provide them with the right growing conditions and support, and you’ll be rewarded with a stunning display of flowers.

Comment below if you have questions about how to grow sweet peas, or share varieties of sweet peas you’ve tried and loved.
Facebook208
[ad_2]

Lauren

Source link
March 22, 2024
Biden administration to invest $8.5 billion in Intel’s computer chip plants in four states

[ad_1]

The Biden administration has reached an agreement to provide Intel with up to $8.5 billion in direct funding and $11 billion in loans for computer chip plants in Arizona, Ohio, New Mexico and Oregon. Intel said the new funding, as well as additional investments, will create a combined 30,000 manufacturing and construction jobs.

President Joe Biden plans to talk up the investment on Wednesday as he visits Intel’s campus in Chandler, Arizona, which could be a decisive swing state in November’s election. He has often said that not enough voters know about his economic policies and suggested that more would support him if they did know.

The funding will come from the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, a law signed by Biden in 2022 to invest $200 billion in domestic production of semiconductor computer chips with the goal of reducing U.S. dependence on overseas chip manufacturers.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the deal reached through her department would put the nation in a position to produce 20% of the world’s most advanced chips by 2030, up from the current level of zero. The U.S. designs advanced chips, but its inability to make them domestically has emerged as a national security and economic risk.

“Failure is not an option — leading-edge chips are the core of our innovation system, especially when it comes to advances in artificial intelligence and our military systems,” Raimondo said on a call with reporters. “We can’t just design chips. We have to make them in America.”

The funding announcement comes amid the heat of the 2024 presidential campaign. Biden has been telling voters that his policies have led to a resurgence in U.S. manufacturing and job growth. His message is a direct challenge to former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee, who raised tariffs while in the White House and wants to do so again on the promise of protecting U.S. factory jobs from China.

Intel said that the funding from the Biden administration, as well as its previously announced plans to invest more than $100 billion in the U.S. over five years, will lead to the creation of 10,000 jobs within the company and about 20,000 construction jobs. It expects the funding will also support more than 50,000 indirect jobs with suppliers and other businesses.

Biden narrowly beat Trump in Arizona in 2020 by a margin of 49.4% to 49.1%.

White House officials want to get federal funding for advanced chip technology “out the door as quickly as possible so that the Biden campaign can point to concrete progress on one of the White House’s signature programs,” analysts with political risk consultancy Eurasia Group said in a report.

U.S. adults have dim views of Biden’s economic leadership, with just 34% approving, according to a February poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs. The lingering impact of inflation hitting a four-decade high in 2022 has hurt the Democrat, who had a 52% approval on the economy in July 2021.

Investing in U.S. chip manufacturing

The Biden administration helped shepherd the CHIPS Act through Congress at a time of concerns after the pandemic that the loss of access to chips made in Asia could plunge the U.S. economy into recession.

When pushing for the investment, lawmakers expressed concern about efforts by China to control Taiwan, which accounts for more than 90% of advanced computer chip production.

Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat up for reelection this year, stressed that his state would become “a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing” as Intel would be generating thousands of jobs. Ohio has voted for Trump in the past two presidential elections, and Brown in November will face Republican Bernie Moreno, a Trump-backed businessman from Cleveland.

Wednesday’s announcement is the fourth and largest so far under the chips law, with the government support expected to help enable Intel to make $100 billion in capital investments over five years. About 25% of that total would involve building and land, while roughly 70% would go to equipment, said Pat Gelsinger, CEO of Intel.

“We think of this as a defining moment for the United States, the semiconductor industry and for Intel,” said Gelsinger, who called the CHIPS Act “the most critical industrial policy legislation since World War II.”

Intel’s funding to go to four states

The Intel CEO said on a call with reporters that he would like to see a sequel to the 2022 law in order to provide additional funding for the industry.

Biden administration officials say that computer chip companies would not be investing domestically at their expected scale without the government support. Intel also plans to claim tax credits from the Treasury Department worth up to 25% on qualified investments.

The Santa Clara, California-based company will use the funding in four different states. In Chandler, Arizona, the money will help to build two new chip plants and modernize an existing one. The funding will establish two advanced plants in New Albany, Ohio, which is just outside the state capital of Columbus.

The company will also turn two of its plants in Rio Rancho, New Mexico into advanced packaging facilities. And Intel will also modernize facilities in Hillsboro, Oregon.

The Biden administration has also made workforce training and access to affordable child care a priority in agreements to support companies. Under the agreement with the Commerce Department, Intel will commit to local training programs as well as increase the reimbursement amount for its child care program, among other efforts.

More from CBS News

[ad_2]

Source link

March 20, 2024
The darkside of housing bipartisanship
[ad_1]
Happy Tuesday and welcome to yet another edition of Rent Free. This week’s stories include:
- Texas Gov. Greg Abbott bizarrely cites TikTok falsehoods while calling for a crackdown on investor-owned housing.
- Austin, Texas, builds a lot of homes and sees home prices drop. Scientists are baffled.
- Sacramento, California, experiments with leasing public land to the homeless.
But first, our lead story about the darker side of housing bipartisanship. As most of the coverage of the 2024 YIMBYtown conference detailed, housing is one of those issues where Republicans and Democrats—while generally more polarized than ever—can still work across the aisle to pass zoning reform.

The flip side of this dynamic is that Republicans and Democrats work against their own co-partisans to undermine zoning reform. For an example of this, witness what happened in Arizona yesterday.

In Arizona, Starter Homes Are Finished

Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, has earned herself a place in housing history/infamy by vetoing H.B. 2570, aka the Arizona Starter Homes Act, on Monday. Hers is the first gubernatorial veto of a major YIMBY bill.

The bill aimed to make smaller, owner-occupied housing easier to build by limiting local governments’ abilities to ban smaller homes, require new housing to sit on larger lots, enforce purely aesthetic design requirements, force new housing to be covered by homeowners’ associations (HOAs), or mandate community amenities that would require an HOA to manage.

H.B. 2570’s deregulatory means in the service of more traditionally liberal ends of housing affordability produced unusually bipartisan votes in the Arizona House and Senate, with Republicans and Democrats pretty evenly represented in both the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ columns.

Want more on urban issues like regulation, development, and zoning? Sign up for Rent Free from Reason and Christian Britschgi.

“We had very progressives like myself partnering with very strong conservatives, who saw this as a proper rights issue, whereas people like myself look at it as a basic equal opportunity issue,” Rep. Analise Ortiz (D–Glendale) told Reason last week.

A majority of legislators from her own party voting in favor of the Starter Homes Act wasn’t enough to bring Hobbs around.

“This is unprecedented legislation that would put Arizonans at the center of a housing reform experiment with unclear outcomes,” said the governor in a veto statement. “This expansive bill is a step too far and I know we can strike a better balance.”

Hobbs’ veto statement cited only the opposition of the U.S. Department of Defense—which complained the bill didn’t exempt areas around military bases—and firefighters, who said limitations on local setbacks regulations and required amenities like swimming pools could increase fire hazards. (The Starter Homes Act bill expressly protects local health and safety regulations.)

Conspicuously, the governor did not mention the primary organized opposition to the Starter Homes Act: Arizona’s cities.

As Reason reported last week, Arizona’s influential League of Cities and Towns—a publicly funded association of municipalities that lobbies the state legislature—was dead set against the bill from the beginning. The league had refused to negotiate on it or propose amendments.

After the bill passed, Hobbs told reporters that she was undecided on the bill and that she would have preferred housing bills that also have the support of local governments.

In Arizona, Democrats have long been the party of local control.

As the usual minority party in control of the state’s largest city governments, Arizona Democrats have been constantly fending off Republican efforts to preempt local, liberal regulations and taxes. Of all the elements of local control, cities are the most jealous guardians of their land-use powers.

The rising salience of housing has upset this dynamic somewhat. Among the champions of H.B. 2570 were a number of progressive Democrat lawmakers. They’re now complaining about the influence cities are wielding in the legislature.

“Cities and their lobbyists cannot continue to be the only barrier to statewide zoning reform solely to retain power and uphold policy decisions that have been historically detrimental to so many, especially communities like mine,” said Sen. Anna Hernandez (D–Phoenix).

My statement on the veto of the Arizona Starter Homes Act, HB2570. https://t.co/pm35LPzEtY pic.twitter.com/CkrsnT9IDz

— Senator Anna Hernandez (@AnnaHernandezAZ) March 18, 2024

An irony of the bipartisan nature of housing politics is that it might be too bipartisan. Conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats both support zoning reform. In the Legislature, they can form alliances to get bills passed. But come election day, they’re still going to vote like conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats.

If Hobbs’ calculation is that she can upset YIMBY Democrats while still keeping their votes, she might not be wrong.

As one former Arizona Democrat lawmaker and YIMBY activist told The Atlantic‘s Jerusalem Demsas for a recent article, “If [Hobbs] ended up being the biggest NIMBY in our state, I’d still vote for her reelection because zoning, even though I’m one of the biggest zoning-reform advocates in the state…still doesn’t rise high enough for me to flip my vote.”

In her veto letter, Hobbs tries to have it both ways on housing. She says she’s “supportive” of the Legislature’s ongoing “efforts” to find a compromise on other housing bills that would liberalize accessory dwelling unit laws, all for residential redevelopment of commercial properties, and the like. She also says that “the status quo is not acceptable.”

Nevertheless, her veto preserves a status quo that increasing numbers of Republicans and Democrats find untenable.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s TikTok Housing Politics

When a politician says they love free markets, you always know a “but” is coming.

Such was the case with Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who said on X that he “strongly supports free markets. But this corporate large-scale buying of residential homes seems to be distorting the market and making it harder for the average Texan to purchase a home.”

I strongly support free markets.

But this corporate large-scale buying of residential homes seems to be distorting the market and making it harder for the average Texan to purchase a home.

This must be added to the legislative agenda to protect Texas families. https://t.co/VBs6Rluh3K

— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 15, 2024

Abbott was quote tweeting a profanity-laced TikTok video in which a woman claims that “private equity firms purchased 44 percent of single-family homes in America.”

“This must be added to the legislative agenda to protect Texas families,” said Abbott. No one said politics in the 21st Century would be uninteresting.

Cracking down on corporate home ownership has to date been mostly a cause of left-wing politicians, and heterodox right-wingers like U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance (R–Ohio). They blame institutional investors for driving up the prices of single-family homes that could have been purchased by individual families who, the story goes, are now stuck perpetually in the renting market.

In fact, the woman in the TikTok video didn’t quite have all her facts straight.

Writing over at Housing Wire, Logan Moshtashami cites data from Freddie Mac showing that large corporate purchasers who bought 100 or more homes in the last year make up about 2.5 percent of home sales. In the second quarter of 2023, very large landlords owning over 1,000 homes purchased just .4 percent of single-family homes.

Reading is a good thing folks ???????? https://t.co/IYogNbORuD pic.twitter.com/bD0nSCLJXG

— Logan Mohtashami (@LoganMohtashami) March 15, 2024

Investor-purchased homes have made up between 20 and 30 percent of home sales going back to the start of the century, but the vast majority of these investors are mom-and-pop landlords who own under 10 properties.

This is a far cry from BlackRock buying up all the homes. While a growing (apparently bipartisan) collection of politicians likes to complain about this phenomenon, it’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Renters who either don’t qualify for financing or who aren’t looking to buy can still have access to single-family housing by renting it from an investor-owner. Research shows that restrictions on investor-owned housing result in lower-income renters being excluded from single-family neighborhoods.

One way to boost homeownership would be to legalize the production of smaller starter homes. A bill that would have done just that happened to pass in Arizona. We know how that turned out.

In Austin, Proof of YIMBY Concept

A wave of in-migration to booming Austin, Texas, saw home prices, rents, and incomes increase. This has been followed by a rash of new home and apartment construction, which is now pulling housing prices back down.

Overall, rents are down 7 percent this year, according to Apartment List data culled by The Wall Street Journal. The Journal gives this all a somewhat negative framing, describing a “glut” of luxury apartments and single-family homes selling at a loss.

It’s also yet more proof that the basic supply and demand story continues to be true, even for housing. Despite some important zoning reforms, Austin is far from a YIMBY paradise. Nevertheless, development is a lot less restricted there than in other high-cost “superstar” cities.

As a result, new construction in the city is able to partially accommodate new demand and moderate price spikes.

The Texas-sized edition of Rent Free earlier this month covered some of the ways that the city and the state could liberalize development even more to boost construction and bring prices down.

In Sacramento, the Socialist Version of Homeless Homesteading

Sacramento, California, is trying out a novel approach to the city’s homelessness crisis: leasing public land to an officially sanctioned homeless encampment. CalMatters reports:

When Sacramento changed its plan to demolish a homeless encampment on a vacant lot on Colfax Street, instead offering the homeless occupants a lease, activists and camp residents celebrated it as a win.

The first-of-its-kind deal, which allows the camp to remain in place and govern itself without city interference, was held up as a model Sacramento could replicate at future sites.

It’s produced mixed results. Those who didn’t like the encampment’s presence haven’t been mollified. Many of the encampment residents complain of a lack of city-provided services.

Homeless advocates still argue the city lease allows people with nowhere else to go some level of stability and sanctuary, and makes it easier for homeless service providers to maintain contact with the people they’re trying to help.

The experiment appears to be the socialist version of the “homeless homesteading” I proposed last year. The idea was to give the homeless title to public land they already occupy. Once they owned the land, the homeless could go about improving homes on-site. If their presence continued to produce nuisances, nearby property owners could purchase the land from them. Encampment residents could use the proceeds of the sale to buy more traditional housing.

It’s an “off the wall” idea, to be sure. By only leasing the land to the homeless, Sacramento is short-circuiting the Coasian bargaining that promised the biggest benefits of homeless homesteading.

Quick Links
- Vancouver, Canada, is taking land rights for indigenous communities seriously. But now that the area’s First Nations use their land rights to build housing, the neighbors are having second thoughts.
this is so funny.

rich liberals in Vancouver who have been protesting for land be returned to Indigenous people are now upset because one of the city’s last plots of underdeveloped land was sold to local tribes and they’re razing it to build an ultra-high density condo project. pic.twitter.com/OnhP5ht77w

— pagliacci the hated ???? (@Slatzism) March 14, 2024
- Speaking of starter homes in Arizona, the city of Mesa’s zoning board voted to recommend denying a 26-unit townhome project in response to complaints from homeowners near the project site.
- The New Republic published a takedown of the YIMBY case that building more housing reduces housing prices which ends up conceding the core YIMBY premise that building more housing reduces housing prices.
- New York Senate Democrats continue to push for a radical “Good Cause Eviction” bill. See Reason‘s past coverage of the bill here.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, presses ahead with zoning reforms that would loosen density restrictions across the city.
- The housing production power combo appears to be Democrat-run cities in Republican-run states, where everyone is at least minimally interested in growth.
On the other hand, all these cities are run by Dems. The existing housing power combo seems to be a Dem-run city in a GOP-run state, where everyone is at least minimally interested in growth. https://t.co/6fLsGTjjZi

— Christian Britschgi (@christianbrits) March 18, 2024
[ad_2]

Christian Britschgi

Source link
March 19, 2024
Arizona and Nevada make up 3% of the U.S. population — and are vital to picking a president

[ad_1]

LAS VEGAS —

When President Biden flies into Nevada on Monday and to Arizona the following day, he’s likely to compliment the West’s natural beauty, pay homage to the unmatched political power of the Culinary Workers Union and nod to local Democratic elected officials.

Another truth about his visit to the two Southwestern states may remain unspoken: Though together they are home to only about 3% of the U.S. population, Arizona and Nevada are expected to have an outsize influence on the outcome of the 2024 presidential race.

With Arizona’s 11 electoral votes and Nevada’s six, the states collectively hold more voting power than Georgia, another closely contested state that both Democrats and Republicans believe they can win — as Biden and former President Trump engage in the first rematch of presidential contenders in nearly 70 years.

Having secured enough delegates last week to become their parties’ presumptive nominees, the two oldest major-party candidates in American history are facing off in a presidential rematch that most people saw coming and many hoped to avoid.

The race pits a president languishing in the polls against a challenger facing multiple criminal indictments. It gives citizens asking for change a chance to vote for more of the same, unless they opt for a long-shot third-party candidate.

Many Americans have said they don’t like it. They wish the stress of a country that feels perpetually at odds would just stop.

“Everything is kind of haywire and crazy,” Trevean Rhodes, a security guard at a Las Vegas supermarket, said last week. “Normalcy is a thing of the past.”

Nevada has gone to the Democrats in four straight presidential elections, but by thin margins. Biden won Arizona in 2020, though Republicans prevailed in all but two of the last 12 presidential cycles there.

Recent public polling in both battleground states shows Biden trailing Trump, but both sides have said they expect close contests. And both states have already received substantial attention, especially from the Democrats.

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Phoenix recently to talk about abortion, and in late January stopped in Las Vegas, where she called Trump a threat to democracy. Biden’s trip this week will take him to Reno, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

His events in Arizona are expected to focus on Latino voter engagement, sources familiar with his travel told The Times. The trip comes amid a $30-million advertising barrage from Biden’s campaign across all of the battleground states. (Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Georgia are the others.)

Former President Trump, in Las Vegas for the Nevada GOP’s caucuses last month, blasted his rival’s handling of migrants entering the U.S. from Mexico.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

Trump, stopping in Las Vegas before Nevada’s GOP caucuses in early February, slammed Biden’s handling of the mounting number of people crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and called human trafficking of migrants “a weapon of mass destruction” against the U.S.

Even as the candidates gear up for their marathon to election day with more than seven months to go, interviews with more than two dozen voters, elected officials and political consultants in Arizona and Nevada revealed a collective ennui about Biden vs. Trump 2.0.

“There’s a voter fatigue, I think,” said Arizona House Minority Whip Nancy Gutierrez, a Democrat. “People are just sick of being bombarded, with no bipartisanship and no working together on many of the same issues.”

Democrats say Biden must do more to highlight what they claim as his accomplishments, including job creation tied in part to an infrastructure law that brought public works to Nevada and Arizona, and passage of a bipartisan gun control measure that increases background checks for younger firearm buyers.

They also cite the president’s efforts to protect access to abortion and contraception via executive orders after the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning Roe vs. Wade, and his support for a robust U.S. presence internationally, including through aid to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

Republicans plan to rely on what they contend was America’s stronger standing during Trump’s four-year tenure in Washington, citing high levels of employment and lower inflation as hallmarks of his administration.

Trump, working to stay connected to his base in Arizona after his failed efforts to overturn his 2020 defeat, appears at a right-wing gathering in Phoenix in 2021.

(Ross D. Franklin / Associated Press)

Trump also claims credit for building up the wall dividing the U.S. and Mexico to reduce illegal crossings, as well as for pushing through $3.2 trillion in tax cuts, appointing Supreme Court justices who rejected the nationwide right to abortion, pulling the U.S. out of trade agreements he said hurt American workers, and clearing the way for the U.S. to become the world’s top producer of oil and natural gas.

The state of the economy, a perennial centerpiece of presidential electioneering, is cited more than any other issue as the top concern in Nevada, which saw its unemployment rate spike to more than 30% during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unemployment in the state is just over 5% now, still the highest in the country. But even some with jobs express concern that high inflation has made it harder for them to pay their bills.

At a supermarket on the east side of Las Vegas last week, two men demonstrated the breadth of the disagreement about how the economy is doing.

Alberto Cardona said he didn’t care about all of the economists saying inflation had tapered off.

The electrician said they were “lying,” and he saw proof, literally, in the pudding. He said he paid 99 cents for a carton of pudding at the supermarket when Trump was president. Now it costs $1.47. He blamed Biden and other Democrats for the upswing, saying they supercharged inflation by overspending “and printing money that they don’t have.”

“Everything’s terrible right now. I’m living paycheck to paycheck, trying to support my family,” said Cardona, 50. He said he would vote for Trump.

Newsletter

Get our Essential Politics newsletter

The latest news, analysis and insights from our politics team.

Enter email address

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

A few minutes later, Fernando Alcazar pronounced himself ready to vote for Biden.

“Look at what he’s done and where the country is headed,” said the 52-year-old gambling industry consultant. “The economy is good, and we’re going in the right direction.”

Though inflation has climbed much higher in earlier eras, the low inflation of the last two decades or so has made the recent upswing feel disabling, especially to younger people, said Stephen Miller, research director at the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

But he said people’s views of the economy could be reshaped in the coming months.

“Between now and early fall, if grocery prices come down and gasoline prices come down, the mood will change,” Miller said. “We’ll see.”

Rep. Steven Horsford, a Democrat who represents Clark County in the U.S. House and chairs the Congressional Black Caucus, said that’s why it’s key for Biden to remain on point.

“You can’t only focus on the accomplishments, of which there are many,” Horsford said. “You’ve also got to talk about what you plan to do going forward.”

Biden smiles for supporters’ selfies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, last week after speaking on improving healthcare and lowering prescription drug prices.

(John Locher / Associated Press)

In both Nevada and Arizona, Democrats say access to abortion should be a winning issue for Biden. They described a wave of anger among their voters that followed the reversal of Roe.

Organizers hope to put measures supporting abortion access on the ballot in both states. Though a Nevada law protects access to abortion there, a political action committee is gathering signatures to qualify a measure that would enshrine abortion access into the state Constitution. The measure would apply for pregnancies of up to 24 weeks. Activists in Arizona are charting a similar course.

Republicans have a ballot measure of their own in Nevada: one that would require voters to present identification when they go to the polls.

The proposal responds to belief among conservatives that elections have seen widespread tainting by ineligible voters casting ballots. Though claims of such voter fraud have seldom been substantiated, they are accepted as a matter of faith, and are therefore highly motivating, to many in the GOP.

Immigration is a major campaign issue again. Here, migrants from Colombia wait at the southern border for U.S. officials to transport them to apply for asylum.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

With migrant crossings from Mexico to the U.S. hitting a high in recent months, even Democrats in cities well north of the border have expressed concern about the burden newcomers put on infrastructure and public services.

Republicans plan to focus intensely on the issue.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, who is running for U.S. Senate in Arizona’s Republican primary this summer, said Biden’s policies supporting migrants underscore an inherent unfairness in the minds of voters he’s met. Along with the economy, Lamb said, nothing angers his constituents more than the sense of disorder at ports of entry and in communities where migrants enter the country.

“They’re very angry with the misappropriation of tax funds used to put these people up in hotel rooms, to give them transportation on airplanes and to give them, in some cases, gift cards, while we have American veterans and we have Americans who are homeless and are struggling,” Lamb said.

Democrats like Alcazar, the gambling industry consultant in Vegas, said it’s unfair and inaccurate to blame Biden for the surge of migrants. He noted that the White House had hammered out an immigration overhaul deal with congressional Republicans that included increased border security, only to have the GOP back away when Trump signaled his opposition.

“It was their chance to step up and do something about the issue,” Alcazar said. “But they didn’t follow through. Instead, they wanted Trump politics.”

In a nod to Arizona’s many Republican voters, Biden honored the late Sen. John McCain last fall in remarks on democracy in Tempe, Ariz. The two served across the Senate aisle from each other for over two decades.

(Evan Vucci / Associated Press)

As the oldest president at 81, Biden has faced repeated questions about his mental acuity and fitness to serve.

Robert Bailey, a political independent, said he has voted for candidates of both parties in the past, but wouldn’t consider Biden this time.

“He can’t remember things he needs to remember,” said Bailey, 57, a street performer in Las Vegas. “People just help him stay in office and get his job done.”

Some say Trump, 77, also shows signs of aging.

But more challenging critiques grow out of the dozens of criminal charges he faces — on allegations of illegality related to his attempts to reverse his 2020 election loss in Georgia and his stashing of classified government documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort and of obstruction of justice; of having a role in the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to prevent Congress’ certification of Biden’s victory; and of falsifying records related to hush money allegedly paid to porn star Stormy Daniels.

“We understand that Trump wants to take us backwards,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, a Democrat. “You have Donald Trump running a campaign of creating doomsday scenarios and seeking retribution against his political opponents.”

Romero said Biden has a list of accomplishments that her constituents will feel the benefits of for decades. She cited the nearly $100 million that’s flowed to her city from the infrastructure and inflation-reduction measures he’s championed.

In Nevada, meanwhile, the Biden campaign will remind 12,000 residents about the student loan relief they got from the administration, and tell 22,000 seniors not to forget how Democrats capped the price of their insulin prescriptions.

Diane Farajian, 65, said that Trump was slow to respond to the coronavirus surge, and that he makes her uneasy. The retired Las Vegas blackjack dealer plans to vote for Biden, though she said she usually supports Republicans for the White House.

“We need good people in there,” Farajian said. “There was just so much trouble when Trump was in office.”

[ad_2]

Benjamin Oreskes, James Rainey

Source link

March 17, 2024
Kari Lake Asks US Supreme Court to Outlaw All Electronic Voting

[ad_1]

Kari Lake, who is currently running for US Senate in Arizona, is still refusing to let her 2022 gubernatorial loss go. On Thursday, the Republican candidate filed a petition to the Supreme Court arguing that electronic voting should be ruled unconstitutional, and this time around, she’s got a new partner in crime: MyPillow founder and CEO Mike Lindell.

The lawsuit stems from the leadup to the 2022 election, when Lake, along with local secretary of state candidate Mark Finchem, sued Maricopa County, seeking to ban electronic vote counters, which they alleged were theoretically “hackable.”

The suit was dismissed in August of 2022, with a judge deeming the litigation a “frivolous” waste of time and slapping Lake and Finchem’s lawyers with $122,000 in sanctions. The penalty, wrote Judge John Tuchi, would “make clear that the Court will not condone litigants … furthering false narratives that baselessly undermine public trust at a time of increasing disinformation about, and distrust in, the democratic process.” Both Lake and Finchem went on to lose their elections.

An appeals court upheld the dismissal last October, ruling that the suit “relies on a ‘long chain of hypothetical contingencies’ that have never occurred in Arizona.”

But that has done little to damper Lake’s enthusiasm for challenging election results, and now she’s joined by Lindell, who has made a name for himself as one of the most high-profile promulgators of false claims about voting machines. The MyPillow CEO spent much of last week hyping the lawsuit, making multiple appearances on Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast—in between plugs for his percale sheets—to tease “the most explosive evidence ever” that is “going to save this country” and “shock the world,” The Arizona Republic reported.

According to the petition to the court, “New evidence from other litigation and public-record requests shows defendants made false statements to the district court regarding the safeguards allegedly followed to ensure the accuracy of the vote, on which the district court relied” in its August 2022 decision.

“That enables petitioners to seek to amend their allegations on standing…to show a non-speculative likelihood that the same harms will recur in future elections, which harms did indeed occur in the 2022 election,” lawyers for Lake and Finchem argued.

Yet local election officials and legal experts quickly cast doubt on whether the suit was much of anything. “Nothing new,” Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer told The Arizona Republic on Friday. “Same old crazy. Zero percent chance the United States Supreme Court decides to spend its very limited time on something so crazy that it got sanctioned to the tune of $100,000-plus at the trial court level.”

Notre Dame law professor Derek Muller told The Arizona Mirror that the case is “a longshot,” given that Lake and Finchem have “not suffered any concrete or particularized harm.” Muller predicted that the court would both decline to hear the case and offer no comment on its reasons for refusal.

While there’s little likelihood that the suit will end in legal success for Lake, it does seem to be setting the stage for her to sow doubt about the results of yet another election. “The weakness in voting infrastructure requires resolution before the 2024 election,” wrote her attorneys. “Without resolution, election results in the numerous states with Dominion voting machines — at the very least — cannot be trusted.” Dominion, it’s worth remembering, is the voting systems company that Fox agreed to pay $787 for defamation after the network spread false claims about its machines during the 2020 election.

The irony is that Lake is making these claims as she attempts—rhetorically at least—to appeal to the more moderate Republican voters she famously derided during her 2022 campaign, when she bragged about driving “a stake through the heart of the McCain machine.” After Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema announced she wasn’t seeking re-election earlier this month, Lake called McCain “an incredible veteran.”

“Anybody who wants to vote for me, anybody who in the past hasn’t, I’ve extended an olive branch,” she said. “We’ve got to come together.”

[ad_2]

Jack McCordick

Source link

March 16, 2024
10 Biggest Citrus Growing Mistakes
[ad_1]
Facebook203
Citrus is easy to grow in warm climates, but it is important to avoid a few key citrus growing mistakes many home citrus growers make. Learn from others’ mistakes and enjoy better-tasting citrus fruit for years to come.

The information in this blog post about citrus growing mistakes is for citrus planted in the ground in warm climates that can grow citrus outdoors year round. Read this article about how to grow citrus in containers for cooler climates.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.

10 Biggest Citrus Growing Mistakes

Citrus Growing Mistake #1: Planting a tree without trying the fruit

There are dozens of varieties of citrus. Choose a type you will eat and enjoy – do a little research about the varieties you are considering.

Try to sample the fruit – this is another advantage of purchasing from a local grower, they often have mature varieties growing.

Does the fruit have seeds? Do you like the taste? Citrus trees are long-lived and produce hundreds of pounds of fruit. Make sure you like the fruit.

Citrus Growing Mistake #2: Planting at the wrong time of year

Citrus is frost-sensitive; plant it after danger of frost is passed. In hot climate areas (like the low desert of Arizona), don’t wait too long in the spring. Planting earlier in the spring allows roots to get established before the heat of the summer. Citrus roots grow and develop quickly in the spring.

In the low desert of Arizona, do not plant citrus from June through mid-September.

There is a second planting window in the fall but be aware newly-planted citrus is more susceptible to frost damage. Cover young citrus during frost events.

Be an informed consumer. Local retailers may have citrus in stock all year long, but do not purchase if it’s not the right time of year to plant citrus in your area.

Citrus Growing Mistake #3: Planting the wrong size for the space available

Allow enough space for trees to reach their mature size. Over-planting causes problems with restricted sunlight and airflow around trees.

Plant far enough away from buildings, fences, and property lines to allow the tree to reach maturity. It’s easy to make this citrus growing mistake; young citrus trees can look deceivingly small.

Dwarf varieties produce the same quality and size of fruit but yield about half as much fruit.

Dwarf varieties produce the same quality and size of fruit but yield about half as much fruit.

Semi-dwarf trees are usually 12-15 feet tall and wide.

Standard-size trees are usually 20-25 feet tall and 16-18 feet wide, depending on the variety.

Citrus Growing Mistake #4: Planting the citrus tree too deeply

This is one of the most common citrus growing mistakes. Different citrus types are always grafted onto a root-stalk.

Look at the trunk and you will see the graft.

Do not bury the graft; instead, plant at the level of the root ball (not necessarily the level they were in the nursery pot).

Before you purchase a tree, dig around the soil to ensure they didn’t put a smaller plant in a larger pot and fill it with soil. Roots should be close to the surface.

It’s best to plant trees with the root ball at the level of planting or a little bit higher. Dig a hole as deep (but not any deeper) as the root ball (but 3-5 times as wide).

If a tree is planted too deeply, it can have problems for life: disease and pest issues, lower fruit production, and finally death.

Citrus Growing Mistake #5: Amending the planting hole with rich soil or compost

When you plant the citrus tree, backfill the planting hole with the same native soil that was removed. If you amend the soil with compost and rich soil, you are creating a small area for the roots to find everything they need.

Backfilling with compost and rich soil may create a smaller root system and a weaker tree.

Backfilling with native soil stimulates the roots to spread and seek out nutrients in the surrounding soil.

Native soil encourages a larger root system that anchors and strengthens the tree.

Citrus Growing Mistake #6: Not watering deeply enough

Problems with citrus can often be traced back to insufficient or improper watering. Watering correctly is the most important thing you can do for healthy trees.

Learn how to recognize when citrus trees need water, and water as needed.

Citrus leaves that droop or curl inward are a sign of insufficient water. Leaves that have plenty of water are usually flat or curled slightly downward.

Newly-planted and young citrus trees need watering more often.

Once established, citrus trees do best with slow, deep infrequent water that encourage the roots to go deeper to find the water.

Water to a depth of at least 18-24 inches and up to 3 feet for mature trees each time you water. Use a soil probe to determine how deeply the water penetrates.

Use a soil probe to measure how deeply water penetrates.

The soil probe will penetrate through wet soil

Citrus roots need air as well as water. Allow the top several inches of soil to dry out before you water again. Overwatering leads to root rot.

The publication “Irrigating Citrus Trees” from the University of Arizona Extension Office has general guidelines for watering intervals.

Citrus Growing Mistake #7: Skirting and over-pruning citrus trees

Unlike deciduous fruit trees, citrus trees do not require pruning.

Leaving the tree limbs near the ground helps maintain soil moisture and reduce soil temperature.

Removing all these limbs is called “skirting”. Skirting trees is a common citrus growing mistake.
- Prune dead or crossing branches.
- Do not prune in the summer; this exposes bark to sun damage.
- Cutting off new growth reduces the amount of fruit produced.
Prune suckers below the graft union, and sprouts (long, fast-growing shoots heading straight up).

Citrus Growing Mistake #8: Not fertilizing citrus trees

Citrus are heavy feeders and need sufficient soil nutrients year-round.

Leaf discoloration and pale citrus leaves are often caused by nutrient deficiencies – usually iron, magnesium, and nitrogen.

Use an organic fertilizer developed for citrus trees and apply it according to package directions throughout the year.

Water well before and after applying fertilizer.

In the low desert of Arizona, our fertilizer application dates are typically Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.

Citrus Growing Mistake #9: Exposing bark to sunlight

Citrus bark is easily sunburned. Avoid exposing bark by not skirting trees (see mistake #7), and protect exposed bark from direct sunlight.

Citrus Growing Mistake #10: Not harvesting fruit

Leaving overripe fruit on the tree invites insects, birds, and rodents to your tree.

Citrus harvests usually begin in late fall and carry over into spring. Sample fruit at the beginning of the harvest window for that type of tree to see if it is ripe. Citrus often remains ripe on the tree for several weeks. Enjoy it!

Once the fruit begins to soften and drop, get all the fruit off the tree. This is a simple citrus growing mistake to remedy. Clean-up any fallen fruit to discourage pests and rodents.

More Citrus Information:

Visual planting guides for vegetables, herbs, fruits, flowers & vines.

If this post about citrus growing mistakes was helpful, please share it:
Facebook203
[ad_2]

Angela Judd

Source link
March 10, 2024
Kari Lake hugs it out with white nationalist during campaign event

[ad_1]

Kari Lake grinned widely and flashed a thumbs up as she posed for a photo March 3 with a far-right political operative who is reportedly a fervent follower and close associate of white nationalist Nick Fuentes.

A few days before the event for campaign volunteers, Wade Searle, who worked as the digital director for U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar until shortly after he was unmasked as one the “strongest soldiers” for white nationalist leader Nick Fuentes, was standing almost directly behind Lake at a press conference where Wyoming U.S. Sen. John Barrasso endorsed her.

It’s unclear if Searle is working for Lake or what ties he has to her campaign for U.S. Senate.

Searle was outed by Talking Points Memo in May 2023 as a prominent member of the “groyper” movement, the name for a collection of young white nationalists who use online trolling tactics and aim to normalize extreme and racist views by aligning them with Christianity and so-called “traditional” values.

Fuentes, a Holocaust denier and Hitler-loving racist, is largely seen as the leader of the groyper movement, which has a strong presence in Arizona. When Searle was working with Gosar, the congressman often posted memes steeped in white nationalist and neo-Nazi subculture. Searle was also not the only staffer in Gosar’s office with similar views.

The Lake campaign did not respond to requests for comment on what role, if any, Searle has within the Lake campaign. Attempts to contact Searle, who has recently been marketing himself as a consultant for conservative political campaigns, were unsuccessful.

“It’s troubling but not surprising to see Wade Searle associated with election denier Kari Lake,” Lindsay Schubiner, director of programs with the Western States Center, an extremism watchdog group, said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. “This is a dangerous strategy intended to normalize and build power for white nationalism. Searle’s latest moves should be yet another reminder to our leaders of the importance of clearly and repeatedly rejecting bigotry and authoritarianism in our politics wherever it appears.”

Searle has been posting recently about meeting with other movers and shakers within the conservative movement, such as conservative pundit and promoter of the Pizzagate conspiracy theory Jack Posobiec, who also has white nationalist ties.

The former Gosar staffer has tagged groups like Students for Kari in social media posts and prominently displays a hashtag for the group Students for Trump. Questions sent to Students for Trump about Searle’s possible involvement with the organization were unreturned.

Searle’s anonymous online persona was found by Talking Points Memo to have given money to Fuentes, made disparaging remarks about Blacks and Jews, and endorsed a conspiracy theory that has inspired multiple mass shooters.

At the press conference in which Searle was present, Lake invoked the recent killing of a University of Georgia woman, whose death has become a GOP talking point about immigration policy. Lake called the influx of legal and illegal immigration part of “Biden’s invasion” at the press conference.

Lake has also faced criticism for her use of the term “invasion” and other similar rhetoric to describe immigration into the U.S. Lake’s “War Room” account retweeted photos posted by Searle on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Lake is running in the primary against Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb, but is widely viewed as the frontrunner for the nomination. She is expected to face Phoenix Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego in November for the Senate seat now that U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema won’t run for reelection.

This story was first published by Arizona Mirror, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.

[ad_2]

Jerod MacDonald-Evoy | Arizona Mirror

Source link

March 10, 2024
PolitiFact – Yes, a Maricopa County voter received two mail ballots. That’s not a sign of wrongdoing or fraud.

[ad_1]

After an Arizona voter posted a photo showing she received two mail ballots from Maricopa County, a local elections official debunked any inference that something sinister occurred.

“Maricopa county at its finest … My first time ever voting in a presidential preference election and I received not one but two mail-in ballots. Thank you @stephen_richer,” Aubrey Savela posted on X.

Savela is a field representative for Turning Point Action, a conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.

Richer, Maricopa County recorder and a Republican, responded on X that there was a reason Savela received two ballots. And more importantly, he said, only one will be counted.

“You changed your voter registration on the last day of voter registration (Feb. 20) from your Chandler address to your new Tempe address,” Richer wrote. “Because early ballots must go out on Feb. 21, your Chandler ballot was already set to go out, and so it did. Then we sent out a new ballot to your Tempe address when we processed your voter registration modification.”

Feb. 20 was the last day to register to vote in order to vote in the March 19 primary.

Richer said Savela’s photo of her two ballots offered a clue that she had two different addresses because the lengths of the blacked-out redacted address lines were not the same on both envelopes.

Also, Richer wrote, one of the ballot’s code numbers ends in “01” — which reflected Savela’s old address — and the other ends in “02”, the new address.

“As soon as the ‘02’ one goes out, the ‘01’ packet is dead,” Richer wrote. “Meaning even if you sent it back, it wouldn’t proceed to signature verification, and it wouldn’t be opened. That’s how we prevent people from voting twice. So just use the one with your new address ending in ‘02’ -— that’s the only one that will work.”

Richer often debunks voting misinformation and has faced death threats because of it. Alabama resident Brian Jerry Ogstad was arrested Feb. 28, accused of sending threatening messages to Maricopa election workers in 2022 including one that read, “You will all be executed for your crimes.”

Tammy Patrick, chief executive officer for programs at the Election Center at the National Association of Election Officials and a former Maricopa County elections official, said Savela’s post lacks understanding and important context.

“This is yet another example of standard operating procedures being taken out of context, misconstrued and misrepresented in order to support a false narrative regarding the legitimacy of our elections and the integrity of our election officials,” Patrick said.

Election offices have systems in place to prevent double mail in voting

It is not uncommon for voters who update their registration close to an election to receive two ballots, each with unique codes ensuring that only one will be counted, JP Martin, spokesperson for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, told PolitiFact.

“Our voting systems are designed with robust safeguards against double voting,” Martin said.

Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, is home to more than half the state’s voters. The majority of Arizona voters cast mail ballots, as they have for decades. That’s why any misinformation about voting by mail is particularly harmful to democracy in the battleground state.

Voters can do their part by updating their voter registration in a timely fashion, said Jenny Guzman, program director of Common Cause Arizona.

But nationwide, election officials take similar steps to prevent double voting.

Jurisdictions that send mail ballots have developed policies and systems to handle voters changing addresses at the last minute before ballots are mailed, said Barbara Smith Warner, executive director of the National Vote At Home Institute, an organization advocating for mail ballot access.

“It’s not unusual for such voters to have already been mailed a ballot, and for the elections official to mail them a second ballot that reflects the races/contests appropriate for their new residence,” Smith Warner said.

Ballot return envelopes are coded and the election management system is programmed to alert the election official that a voter has been mailed two ballots. Election officials have systems to ensure that if the voter returns both ballots, only one is counted.

Voter registration management systems are increasingly sophisticated, making it rare for such a mistake to be made, Smith Warner said. However, post-election audits typically review these cases to ensure that proper procedures and state laws were followed, she said.

Many states are members of the Electronic Registration Information Center, a consortium that shares voter registration lists. The center identifies voters with duplicate registrations in the same state or voters who have moved to another state. This helps prevent double voting.

We found anecdotal examples in the news of voters receiving two mail ballots because of an error.

In 2020, election officials in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, erroneously sent some residents multiple mail-in ballots ahead of the state’s June primary election. The county said a glitch in the state’s computerized voter registry system led it to accidentally print duplicate labels for mail-in and absentee ballots.

“Even if a person receives multiple ballots, only one return ballot can be counted. This is because the bar code on the label that is being used for tracking is exactly the same,” a statement from the county said. “When voted ballots are returned to the office, they are scanned. If another ballot was returned from that same voter, it would show as a duplicate vote when scanned and would be rejected by the system. Staff would mark the ballot as rejected. Those ballots are kept but are not sent to the warehouse to be counted or opened.”

Of course, another way that double voting can occur is if a voter casts a mail ballot in two states in the same election. But that’s a crime. Four voters in The Villages, a largely conservative retirement community in central Florida, were arrested for voting more than once in the 2020 election.

RELATED: Ask PolitiFact: What steps do election officials take to prevent fraud?

RELATED: All of our fact-checks about Arizona

[ad_2]

Source link

February 29, 2024
What Is A Marijuana Micro License

[ad_1]

The cannabis industry is innovative – and now there is a new thing which has popped up – the micro license!

The cannabis industry has to be innovative. With regulations, zoning, and banking restrictions all against a background of building public support…you have to be clever. The latest idea to emerge is the micro license. What is a marijuana micro license and what does it do? A key factor in this development is providing to entry to a growing industry with a low investment threshold. This an advantage toward making it more socially equitable.

RELATED: The Most Popular Marijuana Flavors

Michigan started the micro license trend to help with engage more people with a way to start a business without having have major funds. It allows business owners to grow marijuana, process marijuana, and sell cannabis-infused products to adults 21 years or older without depending on other suppliers. However, a Michigan marijuana microbusiness is not permitted to sell or transfer marijuana or marijuana-infused products to other licensed recreational marijuana establishments. Also, they cannot sell their seeds to other marijuana growers. The essence is to enable a standalone marijuana business model independent of other marijuana establishments. So, think of a good food truck model of go to where your customers are, develop your own products (not buying from Costco or Trader Joes and reheating) and selling directly to a small crowd.

Photo by CasarsaGuru/Getty Images

Currently cananbis microbusiness licenses are offered in Oregon, California, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and New Mexico. Missouri has just launched the program and have had a few hiccups. Their cannabis regulators may revoke 11 of the 48 social-equity cannabis licenses issued in October after finding they didn’t meet eligibility requirements. It seems they had misrepresented who backed them and longer term plans for the company.

RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

Arizona is now looking at folding it in to the mix of businesses. Marijuana sales hit $1 billion in 2023, meaning it a fresh cash cow for businesses and for state coffers. Success seems to be allowing business to grow and prosper.

[ad_2]

Terry Hacienda

Source link

February 27, 2024
Arizona Garden in March
[ad_1]
What grows in low desert Arizona gardens in March? I’ll show you. All of these pictures come from my garden in Mesa, Arizona.

March in the low desert Arizona garden is one of the most beautiful times of the year. Take time to enjoy your garden this month. Many gardens offer garden tours during the month of March. Enjoy the beautiful weather at the tour and take note of plants, flowers, trees, and vegetables you see growing and would like to add to your landscape.

Low desert includes elevations below 3500 ft in the Southwest, such as the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of his instruments, not the composer.”

Geoffrey Charlesworth

There are important garden tasks to do in March, such as pruning frost-damaged plants and thinning fruit trees (see a list of garden tasks for March below). Harvests from fall plantings are ending as planting continues for the spring and summer gardens.

Keep reading for garden inspiration, a March garden checklist, and a list of vegetables, herbs, and flowers to plant in your low desert Arizona garden in March.

Vegetables growing in the low desert Arizona garden in March

Cucumbers grow best with a long warm (but not hot) growing season. To overcome the challenges of growing cucumbers in Arizona, the key is to plant cucumbers early in the season and plant short-season varieties that will ripen before the hottest days of summer.

Asparagus harvests begin in late February and continue throughout the month of March. Harvest stalks that are at least ¼ inch in diameter. Let smaller stalks grow through the summer to give energy to the roots.

If you aren’t growing asparagus, consider dedicating a 4 foot by 4 foot raised bed for growing it. Plant asparagus November through February in the low desert of Arizona.

Squash

Swiss Chard

Tomatillos

Celery

Tips for growing flowers in the low desert Arizona garden in March

In Arizona, plant sunflowers from February through July, so you can enjoy the blooms nearly year-round. Pops of yellow flowers brighten up a summer yard. Learning how to grow sunflowers is an easy way to add color and variety to a summer garden and yard.

Purple lilac vine is in bloom in February and March. This Australian native flowers in winter. It can be grown on a trellis or as a ground cover. The vine has green foilage when not in flower.

Wildflowers planted back in the fall put on a show for much of February and March. Plant wildflower seeds of cosmos, poppies, lupine, blue flax and more in the fall.

Calendula

Poppy

Firecracker Penstemon

Viola

Parry’s Penstemon

Evening Primrose

Snapdragon

Coreopsis

Lavender

Ranunculus

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

Fruit trees in the low desert Arizona garden in March

Plant fruit trees this month. Look for trees with low chill hours (less than 400), mature early, and self-pollinate. This fruit planting guide has a list of fruit trees that do well in the low desert of Arizona.

As blossoms become fruit on your fruit trees, fruit should be thinned before it is an inch in diameter. Thin fruit within about a month after full bloom. Fruit thinned later than this lessens the chance that fruit size will increase. For more information, read this article.

Herbs in the low desert Arizona garden in March

Harvest chamomile when the petals are flat or beginning to fall back from bud. Harvest flowers on a sunny day after dew has dried. Flowers can be air-dried or dried in a dehydrator – they are dry when flower crumbles easily. Use 1 teaspoon of dried petals in a diffuser per cup of water for tea. If using fresh flowers for tea, double amounts – drying flowers concentrates the flavor and oils. Read this article for more information about how to grow chamomile.

Consider planting borage next to each tomato plant. The bees and your tomatoes will thank you. Read this article for more information about how to grow borage.

Read this article for more information about how to grow calendula.

Low Desert March To-Do List

Planting:
- March is a great time to plant citrus trees and the best month to plant watermelon.
- Plant fruit trees early in the month so they have time to settle in before the summer heat. Look for varieties that require less than 400 chill hours, have early maturing fruit, and are self-pollinating.
- Plant roses this month on the north or east sides of the yard that receive afternoon shade in the summer. Use code GARDENAZ24 at Heirloom Roses for 20% off through 2024.
- Plant cold-tolerant trees, bushes, perennials, and frost-sensitive plants such as lantana and hibiscus. Plant summer flowering shrubs. Do not over-plant; be aware of the plant’s mature size and space accordingly.
- Although the weather is still cool, think twice before planting cool-season annuals this month. It will be heating up soon, and their time in the ground will be short. Better to plant warm-season annuals when they are available.
- Plant blackberries and grapes this month.
- Plant ginger and turmeric rhizomes this month.
Watering:
- Check irrigation system and timer. Run system, and inspect all drips and sprinklers for leaks and proper watering.
- As temperatures heat up, annual plants will need more frequent watering. Water to a depth of about 6 inches, and allow top of soil to dry out before watering again.
- Check containers with a moisture meter or make sure top inch or so of soil has dried out before watering.
- Water established citrus trees once every 2-3 weeks.
- Water established fruit trees once every 7-10 days.
- Wateruseitwisely.com is a helpful resource for landscape watering guidelines.
Pruning:
- Pinch back basil plants when they have several sets of true leaves to encourage bushy plants rather than spindly ones.
- Prune frost damage from frost-tender plants such as hibiscus and lantana this month.
- If you haven’t already, prune established roses and deciduous fruit trees. Clean up all fallen leaves and debris to discourage disease and insects.
- Prune dead branches out of cold-hardy trees and shrubs.
- If you didn’t do it in February, prune grape vines before they begin to leaf out.
- March is the perfect month to prune evergreen trees and shrubs.
- Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- Do not prune newly-planted trees or shrubs.
Fertilizing:
- Fertilize deciduous fruit trees and citrus if you didn’t do it in February.
- Prepare soil for planting by adding compost.
- Do not fertilize newly-planted trees or shrubs.
- Fertilize trees and shrubs in your yard as needed. Native trees and shrubs do not require extra fertilization.
- Fertilize blackberries with a balanced fertilizer.
Yard to do and clean-up:
- Thin fruit on deciduous fruit trees. This article will help explain the process.
- Remove spent winter-growing annuals. Stressed plants attract pests.
- Thin warm-season annuals to keep plants from overcrowding each other.
- Clean up and remove dead or damaged wood and crossing branches on citrus.
- Remove dead plants in yard. Look at the landscape and make note of how plants look and their performance. March is a good time to transplant and move plants within your yard to areas where they get more or less sun, depending on the needs of the plants.
- Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of shrubs and trees. Mulching reduces soil temperatures and adds organic matter to the soil.
What to plant in the low desert Arizona garden in March:

Before Planting:

Vegetables, Herbs & Fruit to plant in the low desert in March

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)

After March 15th
Bean (Lima) (S)

Bean (Bush & Pole) (S)

Bean (Yardlong) (S)

Edamame (S)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

Vegetable, Herb, and Fruit Planting Guide for the Low Desert of Arizona

The ultimate resource for gardeners in arid regions with hot summers and mild winters—designed specifically for the low desert of Arizona.
It features information on how and when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant them outside for nearly 100 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

Vegetable, herb, and fruit seeds to start indoors during March

(Click the link for seed sources.)
PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists vegetables, fruit & herbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.

HARVEST GUIDE: Photos show what may be ready to harvest that month.

Planting dates are for the low desert of Arizona (zone 9b).
Flowers to plant in the low desert garden in March

(Click the link to read “How to Grow” articles on my website.)
Alyssum (ST)

Amaryllis (bulb)

Angelonia (T)

Bee Balm (ST)

Canna (rhizome)

Chamomile (T)

Coleus (T)

Coreopsis (ST)

Cosmos (S)

Creeping Zinnia (ST)

Dahlia (tuber)

Dusty Miller (T)

English Daisy (T)

Feverfew (T)

Four O’Clock (S)

Gaillardia (ST)

Gazania (T)

Geranium (T)

Gomphrena (T)
SEED, TRANSPLANT, OR BOTH? S = Seed T= Transplant

Flower seeds to start indoors in the low desert in March

(Click the link for seed sources.)

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

If you enjoyed this post about gardening in Arizona during March, please share it:
[ad_2]

Angela Judd

Source link
February 26, 2024
Almost 1 in 4 Arizona Republicans wants to secede from the U.S.

[ad_1]

Nearly one in four Arizona Republicans think the Grand Canyon State should secede from the United States, a recent poll found.

Online pollster YouGov surveyed more than 35,000 U.S. adults in 46 states earlier this month and found that just about a quarter of Americans said they would support their state seceding, ranging from less than 10% in Connecticut to 36% in Alaska.

There are some pretty obvious trends in the data, chief among them that “larger” states — be that in population or geography — are the most willing to secede. Alaska leads the way with 36%, followed by 31% in Texas and 29% in California.

And that desire for secession is driven by Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, who overwhelmingly are more supportive of seceding across the country. (New Jersey was the only state where Democrats were more in favor of secession than Republicans, 17% to 16%.)
With 18% of respondents favoring secession, Arizona ranks No. 22 among the 33 states in which at least 100 Democrats and 100 Republicans were polled. While just 12% of Grand Canyon State Democrats backed leaving the Union, 23% of Republicans wanted to ditch the other 49 states.

But Arizonans are much more likely to root for another state to secede. YouGov also asked respondents if there was a state besides their own that they would support seceding from the U.S., and 31% said there was one. Only 12 of the 46 states polled had more residents who wanted another state to secede, led by 37% of New Hampshire adults.
Curiously, more Arizonans want to see another state secede than actually believe there is a constitutional right to secession. Nationally, 26% of Americans said there was such a constitutional right — an assertion that many legal scholars say is flat wrong — and about 23% of Arizona respondents agreed.

One glaring omission from the poll is why so many people, and particularly Republicans, want to leave the great American experiment behind.

This story was first published by Arizona Mirror, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.

[ad_2]

Jim Small | Arizona Mirror

Source link

February 25, 2024
Arizona weed sales reaching record even as medical pot flounders

[ad_1]

As 2023 hit its 11th month, sales trends in the Arizona cannabis industry continued a familiar pattern with the adult-use, recreational market more than tripling that of the medical sector.

Recreational sales in November 2023 weighed in at $83.5 million, while medical sales remained flat at about $25 million for the second month in a row, according to the latest report from the Arizona Department of Revenue.

The medical market dropped below $40 million in July 2022, trending downward to $30.4 million in May 2023. Since then, sales have not passed that mark and have hovered around $25 million.

Medical sales have declined consistently since a peak of $73.4 million in April 2021. Medical sales dropped to new lows seemingly every month.

Recreational sales, which began in late January 2021 after voters legalized sales in November 2020, have fluctuated between $80 million and $93.5 million since July 2022. Since then, they hit a high-water mark of $100 million in March 2023 and have since leveled out to the mid- to lower-$80 million range.

Through November 2023, medical cannabis sales for the year totaled more than $320.5 million and Arizonans purchased more than $978.1 million in recreational, for a total of nearly $1.3 billion.

Since January 2021, the cannabis industry has generated more than $4.2 billion in sales, with about $2.6 billion from recreational customers. Should the current trend continue, cannabis sales in 2023 should easily match the $1.4 billion total in 2022.

The state collects a 16% excise tax on recreational sales in addition to the standard sales tax; medical patients pay roughly 6% in state sales tax. Local jurisdictions charge an additional 2% or so for all marijuana sales.

In November 2023, the excise tax on adult-use marijuana sales yielded about $13.3 million, with medical bringing about $2 million into state coffers.

One-third of revenue raised by the recreational excise tax is dedicated to community college and provisional community college districts; 31% to public safety, including police, fire departments, fire districts and first responders; 25% to the Arizona Highway User Revenue Fund; and 10% to the justice reinvestment fund. That fund is dedicated to providing public health services, counseling, job training and other social services for communities that have been adversely affected and disproportionately impacted by marijuana arrests and criminalization.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has reported a steady decline in the medical cannabis program participation, as the number of qualifying patients continues to drop every month.

As of January, there were 113,694 qualifying patient cardholders, down from 115,914 in December 2023. At the height of the medical market, there were 299,054 qualifying patients prior to the advent of recreational sales.

In January, Arizona medical cannabis consumers purchased 4,100 pounds of marijuana in various forms, down from 4,636 reported in December 2023. Throughout 2023, Arizona medical marijuana patients purchased 65,596 pounds.

This story was first published by Arizona Mirror, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Follow Arizona Mirror on Facebook and Twitter.

[ad_2]

David Abbott | Arizona Mirror

Source link

February 22, 2024
Mysteriously ‘rattling’ porch mat was hiding a venomous snake, Arizona video shows

[ad_1]

Would you have guessed a rattlesnake was under this porch mat in Arizona? Video shows it was asleep when found.

Rattlesnake Solutions photo

A rattlesnake with a sense of humor — or irony — was found expertly hidden under the welcome mat of a home in Phoenix, Arizona, video shows.

Specifics of the encounter have not been revealed, but the snake was apparently heard before it was seen, according to the snake-catching service Rattlesnake Solutions.

“A homeowner got a shock when the welcome mat started rattling at her!” the company wrote in a Feb. 14 Facebook post.

Snake catcher Bryce Anderson was sent to investigate, and he peeled back the rug to reveal a western diamondback.

The snake, coiled tightly, appeared to be napping. However, it instantly sprang to life and began nervously twitching when faced with Anderson’s intrusive tongs.

It’s difficult to tell from the video if the snake bit the tongs or just tongued them. Either way, Anderson had the snake in a protective bucket within seconds.

The rattlesnake was then taken to a wilderness area and released. A size estimate was not provided, but the venomous reptiles average three to five feet in length, experts say.

Rattlesnake Solutions shared the video on Facebook and YouTube, prompting a mix of fascination and horror from commenters.

Some were impressed the lump under the rug was so easily missed. Others wondered what would have happened if a passerby felt their foot sink into something alive.

“Reach under there for the spare key,” AceParks wrote on YouTube.

“Now that is one heck of a burglar alarm,” Richard Penhallow said on Facebook.

“I always thought my cat was the only creature to hide under a rug,” Jared Meketuk wrote on Facebook.

Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

[ad_2]

Mark Price

Source link

February 21, 2024
Mysteriously ‘rattling’ porch mat was hiding a venomous snake, Arizona video shows

[ad_1]

Would you have guessed a rattlesnake was under this porch mat in Arizona? Video shows it was asleep when found.

Rattlesnake Solutions photo

A rattlesnake with a sense of humor — or irony — was found expertly hidden under the welcome mat of a home in Phoenix, Arizona, video shows.

Specifics of the encounter have not been revealed, but the snake was apparently heard before it was seen, according to the snake-catching service Rattlesnake Solutions.

“A homeowner got a shock when the welcome mat started rattling at her!” the company wrote in a Feb. 14 Facebook post.

Snake catcher Bryce Anderson was sent to investigate, and he peeled back the rug to reveal a western diamondback.

The snake, coiled tightly, appeared to be napping. However, it instantly sprang to life and began nervously twitching when faced with Anderson’s intrusive tongs.

It’s difficult to tell from the video if the snake bit the tongs or just tongued them. Either way, Anderson had the snake in a protective bucket within seconds.

The rattlesnake was then taken to a wilderness area and released. A size estimate was not provided, but the venomous reptiles average three to five feet in length, experts say.

Rattlesnake Solutions shared the video on Facebook and YouTube, prompting a mix of fascination and horror from commenters.

Some were impressed the lump under the rug was so easily missed. Others wondered what would have happened if a passerby felt their foot sink into something alive.

“Reach under there for the spare key,” AceParks wrote on YouTube.

“Now that is one heck of a burglar alarm,” Richard Penhallow said on Facebook.

“I always thought my cat was the only creature to hide under a rug,” Jared Meketuk wrote on Facebook.

Mark Price is a National Reporter for McClatchy News. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology.

[ad_2]

Mark Price

Source link

February 21, 2024
How to Grow Chamomile: 5 Tips for Growing Chamomile
[ad_1]
2535
shares

Facebook154
Chamomile’s daisy-like flowers are a beautiful and practical addition to your garden. Roman and German chamomile are two common types of this popular herb. Learn the differences between the two types and how to grow chamomile with these five tips.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.

5 Tips for How to Grow Chamomile

1. Understand the differences between German and Roman Chamomile

German and Roman chamomile have many similarities but also a few key differences:

German Chamomile:
Best for tea

Upright annual (2′ tall)

Reseeds easily

Flowers all along branching stems

Click here for organic German chamomile seeds.
Roman Chamomile:
Also called English or Russian chamomile

Low-growing mounding perennial (1′ tall)

Often used as a ground cover

Spreads by rooting stems

Foliage is fine and feathery

Single flower on each stem
- Fewer blossoms than German chamomile
- Tolerates light foot traffic
- Click here for organic Roman chamomile seeds.
2. Plant chamomile correctly and at the right time.
- German chamomile does best started from transplants. Plant German chamomile after last spring frost date.
- Roman chamomile does best started from transplants. Plant Roman chamomile when soil temperatures reach 45°F.
- Space both types of plants 8 inches – 12 inches apart.
- If growing from seed, scatter chamomile seeds and lightly cover them with dirt. Keep soil moist until the seeds sprout. Thin to groups of 2 or 3 plants about 8 inches apart.
- Chamomile grows in full sun, but needs partial shade while roots are getting established.
- In the low desert of Arizona:
Start seeds indoors:
August – January
Plant transplants outside:
October – March

Plant 1-2 chamomile plants per square foot for square foot gardening.

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

Learn More

3. Care for chamomile correctly
- Chamomile needs regular water; do not let the plant dry out.
- Keep flowers cut back to encourage more production.
- Does not require supplemental feeding.
- Chamomile grows well with most other herbs and vegetables.
- Chamomile reseeds easily.
How to grow chamomile in containers:

When growing chamomile from seed in containers, lightly press seeds into the soil but do not cover them with soil.

Does not need supplemental feeding.

4. Harvest chamomile often
- Harvest flowers for tea when the white petals begin to curl. Remove petals before drying to prevent damaging yellow centers.
- Harvest by snipping with pruning snips. (I link to my absolute favorite ones).
- Harvest in the morning, so flowers have the highest moisture content.
- Dry flower heads by placing them in a single layer in a cool, dry place for several days.
Learn more about growing and using edible flowers in this blog post.

5. Use chamomile in many different ways

Chamomile is best known for making a calming tea. Other uses for chamomile include:
- Natural hair lightener
- Rinse for sore or swollen gums
- Chill used tea bags to help relieve puffy eyes
- Relief for upset stomach
If this post about how to grow chamomile was helpful, please share it:
2535 shares

Facebook154
[ad_2] Angela Judd
Source link
February 13, 2024
How to Grow Chamomile: 5 Tips for Growing Chamomile
[ad_1]
2500
shares

Facebook119
Chamomile’s daisy-like flowers are a beautiful and practical addition to your garden. Roman and German chamomile are two common types of this popular herb. Learn the differences between the two types and how to grow chamomile with these five tips.

Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. See my disclosure policy for more information.

5 Tips for How to Grow Chamomile

1. Understand the differences between German and Roman Chamomile

German and Roman chamomile have many similarities but also a few key differences:

German Chamomile:
Best for tea

Upright annual (2′ tall)

Reseeds easily

Flowers all along branching stems

Click here for organic German chamomile seeds.
Roman Chamomile:
Also called English or Russian chamomile

Low-growing mounding perennial (1′ tall)

Often used as a ground cover

Spreads by rooting stems

Foliage is fine and feathery

Single flower on each stem
- Fewer blossoms than German chamomile
- Tolerates light foot traffic
- Click here for organic Roman chamomile seeds.
2. Plant chamomile correctly and at the right time.
- German chamomile does best started from transplants. Plant German chamomile after last spring frost date.
- Roman chamomile does best started from transplants. Plant Roman chamomile when soil temperatures reach 45°F.
- Space both types of plants 8 inches – 12 inches apart.
- If growing from seed, scatter chamomile seeds and lightly cover them with dirt. Keep soil moist until the seeds sprout. Thin to groups of 2 or 3 plants about 8 inches apart.
- Chamomile grows in full sun, but needs partial shade while roots are getting established.
- In the low desert of Arizona:
Start seeds indoors:
August – January
Plant transplants outside:
October – March

Plant 1-2 chamomile plants per square foot for square foot gardening.

Flowers to Plant Outside & Seeds to Start Indoors Each Month in the Low Desert of Arizona.
• PLANTING GUIDE: Each month lists annual flowers and bulbs to plant outside & seeds to start indoors.
• BLOOMING GUIDE: Photos show what may be in bloom that month.

Learn More

3. Care for chamomile correctly
- Chamomile needs regular water; do not let the plant dry out.
- Keep flowers cut back to encourage more production.
- Does not require supplemental feeding.
- Chamomile grows well with most other herbs and vegetables.
- Chamomile reseeds easily.
How to grow chamomile in containers:

When growing chamomile from seed in containers, lightly press seeds into the soil but do not cover them with soil.

Does not need supplemental feeding.

4. Harvest chamomile often
- Harvest flowers for tea when the white petals begin to curl. Remove petals before drying to prevent damaging yellow centers.
- Harvest by snipping with pruning snips. (I link to my absolute favorite ones).
- Harvest in the morning, so flowers have the highest moisture content.
- Dry flower heads by placing them in a single layer in a cool, dry place for several days.
Learn more about growing and using edible flowers in this blog post.

5. Use chamomile in many different ways

Chamomile is best known for making a calming tea. Other uses for chamomile include:
- Natural hair lightener
- Rinse for sore or swollen gums
- Chill used tea bags to help relieve puffy eyes
- Relief for upset stomach
If this post about how to grow chamomile was helpful, please share it:
2500 shares

Facebook119
[ad_2]
Danette
Source link
February 10, 2024
We’re hiring! Join Phoenix New Times as news editor or news reporter
[ad_1]
Phoenix New Times is looking to hire a news editor and news reporter to add to our scrappy editorial team.

We want to add a versatile news reporter to tell important, timely and engaging stories about the Valley and a news editor to lead our team of reporters and freelancers. Think you’ve got the journalism chops for either job? The full details on what we’re looking for are below.

Come join an editorial team that’s been telling the stories of a diverse and booming region since 1970.

New Times news editor: About the job

We’re looking for a versatile news editor with excellent news sense and strong editing chops. You’ll lead our team of two reporters and freelancers to tell important, hard-hitting, timely and engaging stories.

Key responsibilities
- Manage two full-time news reporters, along with freelance reporters and photographers, to produce a range of stories. Our stories include breaking news and trending topics that need to be written quickly to enterprise, investigative or feature stories that could take a week or more to report. You’ll also oversee the creation of guides and explainers about local and regional events and issues.
- Efficiently edit stories for structure, line editing and copy editing so they read beautifully, clearly and concisely and are free of factual and grammatical errors and typos. Ensure that care has been given to the best possible use of headlines, photography and art. Make sure that stories adhere to our style, SEO best practices and social media strategies.
- Collaborate with the editor-in-chief on planning news coverage and the daily story budget.
- Manage the editorial workflow for the news vertical, assigning stories to reporters and freelancers, monitoring deadlines. ensuring a regular cadence of story output and balance, and meeting goals for volume and traffic.
- Write news stories as needed.
- Meet with reporters on a weekly basis. Maintain regular contact with freelancers and recruit new ones.
- Coach reporters and freelancers through any part of the pitching, reporting, writing, editing or production process. Deliver feedback to them on their work.
- Collaborate with other parts of the newsroom, our social media and product teams, and occasionally with editors in our newsrooms in Denver, Dallas and Miami.
- Build broad and diverse relationships so that sources, story ideas, research and reporting reflect the diverse communities of the Valley.
- Participate in our annual Best of Phoenix issue and other projects during the year.
Who you are
- A journalist with 5 plus years in a newsroom with at least 3 years of full-time experience managing journalists and editing breaking, daily and enterprise stories.
- A working knowledge of — or eagerness to immerse yourself in — the character, people, politics and culture of Phoenix and the Valley.
- A curious person interested in learning about and staying current on topics related to our coverage areas, including politics, public health, criminal justice, cannabis, government, labor and the environment.
- A journalist with a track record of crafting breaking stories on deadline with crisp writing and the ability to tell stories about people impacted by what you’re covering.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- A highly-organized, resourceful and proactive self-starter committed to accuracy and meeting deadlines.
- Experience with open records requests.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus, as is experience in a marginalized community.
Benefits
- Compensation range of $65,000 to $75,000.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
- 10 paid holidays, 14 days of paid time off, 5 paid sick days per year.
- Hybrid work policy based in our central Phoenix office.
New Times news reporter: About the job

We’re looking to hire a full-time news reporter that can craft stories ranging from breaking news and trending topics that need to be written quickly to enterprise, investigative or feature stories that could take a week or more to report. You’ll also produce helpful guides to local and regional events and issues.

We value ambitious reporting, well-crafted prose, an engaging voice and savvy use of social media.

Key responsibilities
- Your stories will range from breaking news and trending topics that need to be written quickly to enterprise, investigative or feature stories that could take a week or more to report. You’ll also produce helpful guides to local and regional events and issues.
- Work with the newsroom to tell these stories in a variety of formats, including traditional articles online and in our weekly print issue, videos, photo essays and through social media.
- Use social media to find trending topics to cover, discover sources and promote your work.
- Attend public meetings, town halls, political rallies and other events outside the office to find sources, stories and people impacted by the decisions made by elected officials and government agencies. The position sometimes requires evening and weekend work.
- Collaborate with other parts of the newsroom, our social media and product teams, and occasionally with reporters and editors in our newsrooms in Denver, Dallas and Miami.
- Build broad and diverse relationships so that sources, story ideas, research and reporting reflect the diverse communities of the Valley.
- Be committed to accuracy and meeting deadlines.
- Participate in our annual Best of Phoenix issue and other projects during the year.
Who you are
- A journalist with a track record of crafting breaking stories on deadline with crisp writing and the ability to tell stories about people impacted by what you’re covering.
- Demonstrable writing skills with the ability to report complex issues with simplified, accessible language.
- Experience in reporting across a variety of topics, such as politics, public health, criminal justice, cannabis, government, labor and the environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
- A highly-organized, resourceful and proactive self-starter.
- Experience with open records requests.
- Fluency in Spanish is a plus, as is experience in a marginalized community.
Benefits
- Compensation range of $42,000 to $50,000, depending on experience.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.
- 10 paid holidays, 14 days of paid time off, 5 paid sick days per year.
- Hybrid work policy based in our central Phoenix office.
- This is a union position.
How to apply for either position

We’re committed to building an inclusive newsroom that reflects the people and communities we serve across the Valley. We encourage members of underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and people with disabilities.

News editor

Email a cover letter, resume and links for up to three stories you reported or edited, along with a few sentences explaining the backstory of each piece and your role, to [email protected]. Please put News Editor in the subject line.

News reporter

Email a cover letter, resume and links to three to five clips that show your skills and range to [email protected]. Please put News Reporter in the subject line.
[ad_2]

Matt Hennie

Source link
February 9, 2024