Tag: desert
How to Keep Centipedes Away from Your House
There are enough creepy crawlies in Arizona to keep anyone awake at night: tarantulas, scorpions, you name it – scary bugs are abundant in this corner of the country. We’ve covered how to keep scorpions away from your home, so make sure to check out that post too. One critter regularly winning awards for the ...Palm Trees Aren’t Native to Arizona, So How Did They End Up Here?
Nothing quite says “desert oasis” like a cluster of slender palm trees. They’re found all over the southwest, lining the highway, parks and found in many of our backyards. The iconic trees are tall and majestic, not even bending with the wind. Though palms are a seeming eternal installation from Phoenix to Los Angeles, the ...Singh Farms is Oasis Off the 101
Most of the drivers rushing up and down the 101 are unaware of the desert oasis that’s blooming just northeast of Thomas Road in Scottsdale. A line of unassuming trees block the traffic from a lush and surprisingly quiet farm full of organic fruits and veges.How Folks Kept Cool in Old Arizona
People often ask, “How did you survive the hot summers in the Valley before air conditioning?” Best answer I can think of is we didn’t know what we were missing. Here are some ways people coped with our heat in the good ole' days.The Legacy of Boojum Trees
People who have nightmares about being chased by giant parsnips should avoid contact with the boojum trees. Fortunately, boojums are quite rare and do not move over the landscape to frighten humans. Despite that, they are weird. They resemble huge parsnips or green carrots sticking upside down out of the earth.Southern Arizona’s Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument Declared “Hidden Gem”
Arizona’s natural, diverse landscape has garnered international acclaims and attention, yet many scenic parks continue to fly under the mainstream radar. One such spot – the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument near Ajo and Why – is getting a much-deserved shout out by Country.Can You Fall Through the Earth’s Desert Crust?
Q: I say the desert is just sand and dirt and rocks and desert plants, but my husband claims he read somewhere that it is really covered with a hard crust that you can fall through. What’s he talking about? A: You people...Why Does the Valley Have a Canal System, and How Does it Work?
Q: What are the canals for, and how do they work? A: Bibbity, bobbity boo. Next question, please. Oh, all right, we’ll tell you: Farms and gravity. Really. The miles and miles of canals maintained by the Salt River Project were put there to bring water to thirsty acres of alfalfa, cotton, citrus and dates. Although there are a ...World’s First Wave Pool Returns to its Roots
Did you know the Valley is home to the world’s first wave pool? “Waikiki Beach” at Big Surf Waterpark in Tempe has welcomed desert beach bums for more than four decades. Today, it remains the third largest wave pool worldwide, containing some 2.5 million gallons of water. The wave pool is the brainchild of Phoenix construction ...Are Horny Toads Disappearing from Phoenix?
Q: When I was a kid growing up in Phoenix there used to be horny toads everywhere. I even had a pet horny toad. Now I never see them. What happened to all the horny toads? A: You had a pet horny toad? That’s sad. Couldn’t you get your parents to buy you a dog or ...
