M & J Market Farm

05/29/2025

Things are coming along. I’m a little behind where I should be by now.

09/18/2024

Some of the flowers in the greenhouse this morning. The season is getting long in the tooth, but still a nice place to be.

08/21/2024

One of my beautiful echinopsis.

07/23/2024

Mammillaria grahamii. A native Arizona cactus. It typically blooms when the monsoon rains come. In habitat they can be hard to find. They often grow under “nurse” plants for protection from frost, excessive heat and from cattle.

07/20/2024

07/20/2024

Amaranthus palmeri, commonly called Pigw**d. There are over 60 species of Amaranthus. In our area it is as disliked as desert broom. It is native to Central America, but common in most of North America.
It is edible and used a lot like spinach. The young leaves are eaten raw or cooked. It is even fermented into beer. It is very high in protein, calcium and fiber. It also has many medicinal benefits. It is readily eaten by livestock and our wildlife.
If left unchecked and has enough moisture it will grow over 6 feet tall. Frost is about the only way to kill it.

06/25/2024

Gymnocalycium baldianum.

06/11/2024

I had the honor of teaching Huachuca City children about worms and why we should keep them. It was great fun. I have a lot of respect for elementary school teachers.

05/15/2024

My parodia leninghausii is showing off. Just one more reason to grow cacti and succulents.
Hereford, Arizona zone 8.

04/27/2024

A visitor in the greenhouse. Pituophis catenifer, commonly called gopher snake. Did you know gopher snakes are Arizona longest snake, some reaching 92 inches. However, most are closer to 4’. When scared they will mimic a rattlesnake, hissing, rising to a strike position and shaking their tail. They typically eat small mammals on the ground, but are also good climbers and will eat birds and eggs.
This one spent quite a bit of time getting a drink while I was watering. They are always welcome on my property and in my greenhouse.

04/25/2024

Asphodelus fistulosus L., commonly known as onion w**d. It’s an attractive plant but very invasive. Each plant can produce up to 13,000 seeds. The seeds remain viable for many years.
If you have this plant it is best pulled by hand, bagged and thrown in the trash.

04/14/2024

Asclepias asperula, commonly called antelope horns milkw**d because of the shape of the seed pods. This milkw**d is native in the southwestern states of the US. It is a food source for the monarch butterfly caterpillars.
It is very easy to care for. In fact, it does well with no care at all. However, I like to give it a little extra water when it is dry.
I live in Hereford, Arizona zone 8.