Martha Retallick's Monthly Newsletter | April 14, 2026

Mystery Solved!

In last month's issue, I referred to the above shrub as I Forgottium.

It's been in my front yard for years, but I couldn't recall the name.

So, I asked readers to properly identify it, and three of you did.

The mystery shrub is called Bee Brush, aka Aloysia gratissima.

I sent those three readers signed and numbered copies of my book, City Nature, along with my gratitude.

​Kirkus Reviews calls City Nature “A beguiling ramble full of captivatingDIY information and arresting visuals of flora and fauna.” ​ Order the Book

Now that we have things tidied up on the Bee Brush front, let's talk about a messy time of the year in southern Arizona.

A Beautiful Mess

It's the middle of spring, and time for our native trees to drop their leaves.

At my place, my two ironwoods got things started. For several weeks, I was one busy human, sweeping ironwood leaves off the driveway.

Further down the scroll, I'll explain what water harvesters do with those leaves.

But, for now, let's enjoy what happens after the leaves come off the ironwoods...

Then there's my front yard mesquite tree.

It's kind enough to drop most of its leaves in my front yard, rather than the driveway, but it makes its own mischief...

Far be it from me to be opposed to flowers, but once the mesquite flowers fall off the tree, they're all over the place.

Cue up Martha with the broom. Again.

Then comes the mesquite pod. It's what's forming beneath the flower.

And, in case you're wondering what a fully formed mesquite pod looks like...

From the Water Harvesting 101 Podcast​

Recent episodes have covered spring flowers. And, yes, some of those flowers come from messy ironwood trees that provide us water harvesters with free mulch for the yard...

Spring Flowers Apr 6 · Water Harvesting 101 5:32   ​

If you're just getting started with your water harvesting projects and you don't have any mature trees, you may be needing some mulch. Tucson-based Tank's Green Stuff can help you with that...

The Mulch Episode Mar 23 · Water Harvesting 101 11:51   ​

Although the official start of summer is months away, we've already had a heat wave.

Handling a Heat Wave Mar 30 · Water Harvesting 101 6:19   ​

A Present for You

Since this issue comes right before Tax Day, here's a present.

To you, my wonderful subscribers, I'm offering 20% off Water Harvesting 101.

Prefer to listen and learn? Water Harvesting 101 is also available as an audiobook.

Want something more affordable while you recover from the tax bite? Take 20% off this jump-start guide.

Arizona Colors

Let's start with one of the many pollinators that have been enjoying my Meyer lemon flowers...

And, since it's spring, it's time to let the argula flower and go to seed...

It's also time to harvest another one of my fall/winter crops. Here's what's left of the snow peas...

I'm pleased to report that the pomegranate trees are flowering...

And there's plenty of new growth on the Punta Banda tomato plants...

That's it on the botanical front. Since it's spring, it's nesting season for the birds. Let's see how that is coming along...

Bonus Bird

As a general rule, the words "dove" and "flamboyant" do not travel in the same sentence.

Then there’s the white-winged dove, the bird with white racing stripes on the leading edge of its folded wings, orange eyes, and blue eye liner...

In the spring, white-winged dove males (bird on the right) converge on my place. And they make their presence known, morning, noon, and night.

They call “Hoo-hoo-hoo-HOO!” from every high point they can find. Utility lines, street lights, satellite dishes, tree branches, fence tops, everything is fair game.

For the male shown above, all of this effort seemed like it would be successful.

But, right after I put my camera down, the female flew away.

Oh, well. Time to start calling out. Again.

Questions? Comments? Let's talk! I'm looking forward to hearing from you! ​ Contact me!

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