• Drip watering plants is not recommended in Oracle. Drip watering causes roots of plants to grow close to the ground surface where they will become baked by the summer sun.
• Instead of drip watering, deep soak every one, two, three or four weeks. This means letting a hose run for 30 minutes to three hours until the ground is soaked to a depth of at least 3 feet. Force an iron or steel rod with a handle into the ground to test the depth that the water has reached.
• The frequency of deep watering depends upon the age of the plant. Plants in the ground less than one year will need weekly watering in the spring, summer and first half of fall. Plants in the ground over three years may need deep watering only once a month during the warm season, and much less in winter. Allow the soil to dry out between soakings so air can get to the roots.
• Watering frequency also varies by species. Some plants go dormant in summer heat and cannot tolerate water during this period. Other plants need more frequent watering in summer months. Check a recommended gardening book listing your plant and its water needs.
• See Planting and Watering Trees for information on trees.

• Mulch is placed on top of the soil to keep it moist and insulated from temperature extremes of hot and cold. Mulch may be put down anytime. Clear the area of weeds first, and consider putting down a commercial weed barrier (porous landscape cloth) next to the soil to keep the area weed free. Cover that with mulch.
• Shredded bark, straw, sawdust, composted mulch, finished compost or shredded black and white newspaper can be used. Plants and vegetables that need acidic soil will benefit from coffee grounds or cocoa husks as mulch. Newspaper with colored ink is not recommended because colored inks are heavy-metal toxins and are absorbed by plants.
• Make the mulch layer 1" to 2" deep. Keep mulch away from the root crown and trunk of the plant to prevent disease and excess moisture on the bark that invites critters to nibble. Deep mulch allows rodents to build nests and hide.
• If the ground is very dry, water the plant deeply before adding mulch.

1. Diseased plants: many plant diseases will not be killed by composting and will infect other plants.
2. Cat, dog, pig and reptile manures may contain parasites or pathogens harmful to humans.
3. Poisonous plants: Oleander retards the growth of other plants and its toxins are taken up by some food crops. Poison Oak toxins may cause problems for bare hands if not fully decomposed.
4. Materials from the side of the road may contain petroleum products with harmful toxins.
5. Meats, dairy products, bones and fish will decompose slowly, smell and attract animals.
6. Weed seeds will sprout and compete with desirable plants.
7. Paper products with colored ink contain toxic chemicals taken up by food crops.
8. Avoid compost from community compost piles when you cannot be sure of the contents.

Mimosa biuncifera, known as Cat-Claw Mimosa or the Wait-A-Minute Bush, is one of the most difficult desert plants to eradicate. Ordinary cutting and digging has no effect.

This plant can be identified by the slightly zig-zag shape of its branches and the double-hooked claws at each elbow of a zig-zag. It grows to about five foot tall and can easily become an impenetrable thicket through seeding.

1. Dig out the root nodule which lies 6" to one foot below the ground.
2. Grab and pull up each of the underground roots attached to the root nodule.
3. Backfill with dirt so that the root ends are forced to stay exposed above ground.
4. Paint the exposed root ends with "Green Light Cut Vine and Stump Killer" or any herbicide containing triclopyr acid.
5. Leave the root ends exposed to the sun and dry winds for 3 to 6 months.
6. If you leave any root underground, the plant will grow back.