A cool haven for scorching summer days now closed

A few days ago the Tucson Botanical Garden sent an email to members stating that their indoor facilities–mostly art galleries–would close because of the coronavirus, but the Garden would stay open. Last night another email informed us all that the Garden was closing at day’s end, March 17, to conform with Mayor Romero’s orders which are essentially shutting down the city. (To Clarify: Tucson is NOT totally closed down and we are NOT under a shelter-in-place order as of this writing.)

I joined the Botanical Garden shortly after I moved here because it is such a haven filled with shady trees –better than any city park in Tucson in my opinion–and very close to where I live. I also write a gardening blog, Hot Gardens, about plants and gardens in hot dry climates so the Garden can be a quick reference guide.

Some of the plants at the Tucson Botanical Garden are cacti and succulents, of course, but not all. There is a herb garden, a butterfly enclosure, the ramada gardens, the model train village, a fruit orchard, plus others. And, coming soon, a desert tortoise habitat.

Best of all are the wide paths that wind through the various gardens with benches tucked into shady spots here and there. Come summertime and scorching heat in the city, it is noticeably cooler. Plants do that, especially trees that are decades old reduce the heat noticeably.

Here are some things that I’ll be missing:

And this path, too, through the Herb Garden…

And then there are these scenes in the garden, too…

Tucson isn’t the only public garden facing changes in the time of COVID-19. The Royal Horticultural Society in London has cancelled the famous Chelsea Flower Show this year and the Los Angeles Arboretum and Botanical Gardens has cancelled all events through March 31, but still remains open.

Happily, back yard gardening is still an option for homeowners around the world. And in times like these gardening can be very therapeutic. Dig in.

Stay safe. Go outside. Enjoy nature.

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