Plant friends, today let’s talk about the Sonoran Desert, one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. As a former New Yorker turned Florida plant parent, I will never forget the first time I visited Arizona and that surreal feeling of standing in a place so unlike anywhere I’d ever been. And lucky for us, I have invited a new plant friend and someone who knows the Sonoran Desert ecosystem like the back of her hand. She’s called Sonoran Rosie, and she’s a herbalist, maker, and desert explorer who has dedicated her life to studying, honoring, and creating with the plants of the Sonoran Desert. Let's get started!

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:30] How Rosie became “Sonoran Rosie”
• [04:14] What makes the Sonoran Desert so unique?
• [04:58] The 4 biomes of the Sonoran Desert
• [07:22] How Sonoran plants survive extreme temperature and rainfall swings
• [08:21] Ideal springtime desert temperatures
• [09:06] What is summer like in the Sonoran Desert?
• [10:11] What a monsoon is like in the desert
• [11:44] What is creosote (chaparral), aka the plant behind the desert rain smell?
• [13:14] What are the medicinal properties of creosotes? (especially for skincare!)
• [14:43] Wind River Chimes
• [16:22] The Preserver's Garden by Staci and Jeremy Hill
• [18:13] What do different seasons look like in the desert?
• [19:52] When is it best to plant tomatoes in the desert?
• [21:55] What is Rosie’s favorite spring desert plant?
• [23:04] What are keystone plants, and how important are they for desert wildlife?
• [25:39] How to make poppy tinctures
• [26:58] What are Rosie's favorite summer desert plants?
• [30:35] How Rosie harvests & preserves prickly pear fruit
• [31:53] What are Rosie’s favorite fall desert plants?
• [34:24] Jojoba (nut, oil, and skin-loving powerhouse)
• [37:34] Why harvesting agave destroys the whole plant
• [39:24] Why Brittlebush is Rosie’s favorite desert plant to work with
• [40:08] How Rosie's business began with a single creosote spray
• [42:17] Are there any Sonoran plants that we could have as houseplants?
• [43:17] Where to find Sonoran Rosie’s book and products

 

Mentioned in the conversation:

• Seasons of the Desert book by Sonoran Rosie
• The Sonoran Collection

 

Which desert plants have healing properties?

Check out the full show notes and blog to learn more!

 

Follow Sonoran Rosie:

Website

Store

Instagram

Facebook

 

Thank you to our episode sponsors:

Wind River Chimes

Visit windriverchimes.com and use code GROWINGJOY to receive free engraving on your chosen wind chimes.

Quarto: The Preserver's Garden by Staci and Jeremy Hill

Grab The Preserver's Garden at quarto.com and wherever books are sold and enjoy your garden bounty longer!

 

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