The Range: The Tucson Weekly's Daily Dispatch

Archives | RSS

« Google Produces Map To Help People… | Washington D.C. Hurricane Coverage… »

Monday, October 29, 2012

Gardening Desert Tortoises and Your Tucson Potted Garden

Posted by Marylee M. Pangman on Mon, Oct 29, 2012 at 12:06 PM

Desert tortoises need a diet that can come right out of your pots using some of the same flowers that I mentioned last week as edible for humans!

Needing a diet with moderate protein, low fat, high fiber and water, captive desert tortoises will eat flowers such as pansies, violets, nasturtiums, hibiscus, geranium, evening primrose and globemallow.

The diet can be supplemented with vegetables like spinach, green beans, and lettuce.
Herb flowers including thyme, sage, and rosemary, all of which grow well in Tucson, can be grown around their habitat.

Greens are an important part of the tortoise's diet and provides much-needed fiber. Grass is an option for those who want a small patch of green and the leafy greens from many fresh vegetables including carrot, collard, mustard and turnip greens, provide high amounts of protein and extra water.

Have a question? Email Marylee
Sign up for our Potted E-News today. Receive monthly potted garden information as well as SW Arizona freeze alerts, heat and wind advisories.

For more information on Desert Tortoises, check out this article by Cheryl Losch, eHow Contributor

Tags: Potted garden, Desert Garden, Pots. Plants, Desert landscape, container garden