| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| janamarieje |
Posted - Aug 12 2016 : 11:20:43 AM
My daughter bought her first home last year in the west valley of Phoenix Arizona. This spring (end of March) I set her up with five 1/2 wine barrels, terracotta bottle water system, a good mixture of planting soil and together we planted a few basic seeds (tomato, peppers, squash, corn, basil, cilantro, etc.). Plants started to grow and she did get a few tomatoes, but generally it was a big flop. Does anyone have any suggestions for growing vegetables in a hot area like Arizona? I am from Southern California and not use to this kind of conditions. By the way, the yard is like cement so all gardening must be done above ground.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
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| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lady in Pearls |
Posted - Sep 03 2016 : 11:33:34 AM
Hi there! I live near Houston, so we have high humidity (unlike Arizona), but we DO have high heat (summer averages in the 100s). The most useful piece of advice I can give you is planting time. Our seasons are different being in the Deep South. Think seed starting for "Summer" veggies in January or February and in the ground (or container) by early March. Most plants will burn up here by mid-June, then seed starting begins again in late August, in the ground early September. The exceptions to this are : okra, watermelon, amaranth, sweet potatoes, and tropical herbs like lemongrass.
Cooler temperature veggies like greens, parsley, carrots, beets, etc. do well here during the winter months and the warm veggies do well in green houses. I've even had a tomato spontaneously sprout and do well in February!
Other consideration specifically for container gardening would be water and fertilizer. I like using grow boxes or other self-watering containers. it is really important to keep the water level even, which can be difficult for some veggies once they get to a certain size or a certain temperature. My tomatoes and squash, I usually move to receive afternoon shade to keep them from becoming heat stressed.
Fertilizer is important. I like to do a side dressing of bone meal and blood meal every few weeks to keep them lush and productive. Fertilizing is particularly important in containers, because the roots can only grow so far and you have to consider the washing away of nutrients after watering. It's a closed system, like a fish tank, so you have to lend an extra hand to Mother Nature.
One more important consideration is variety of seeds. I like to scout bakers creek and other heirloom seeds for things adapted to my climate. For example, we have squash vine borers really bad here, so I'm growing Seminole squash, which are native to the Everglades-a place with similar climate and pest conditions to the rest of the Gulf Coast.
Local stores and nurseries should carry varieties for your climate, but they may not carry them at the right time. When our stores get their first shipments in for veggie gardens, I've usually had mine planted for a few weeks.
Two of my favorite books for gardening include "Bountiful Container" by McGee & Stuckey and "Texas Gardening" by Greg grant.
The most important thing is to not give up! Gardening in the Deep South is challenging, because most gardening advice books are written in places with cold winters and more pronounced seasons. You'll get the hang of it! I've been gardening for 4 years and learn new things every season, so my yeilds always improve the next season. I also talk to locals who have been gardening in this area for a long time (my grandmother and my CSA farm lady in particular). They always have a wealth of knowledge to share. Good Luck!
“If more of us valued good food and cheer above hoards of gold, it would be a merrier world." - Tolkien
http://myfrenchreligion.blogspot.com/ |
| janamarieje |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 3:27:43 PM
Wow, thanks for the recommendation CJ, I just placed an order through Amazon.
Jan, great idea, I will look to see if I can find a gardening book for phoenix area.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
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| ceejay48 |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 3:17:28 PM
Jana,
My daughter lives in the Phoenix area and she has found this book to be helpful.
https://www.amazon.com/Garden-Guy-Seasonal-Gardening-Southwest/dp/0970501617
Wishing you the best!
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
2010 Farmgirl Sister of the Year
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from my hubby - www.aspenforge.blogspot.com |
| jan49829 |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 1:50:40 PM
There is a magazine that comes out 6 times a year for every state. I moved to Florida almost 2 years ago and found that Florida Gardening magazine has been very helpful in both the flowers and vegetables, which ones to plant when. Very informative.
Jan
Farmgirl Sister #3340
http://hardatworkcrafts.blogspot.com
http://Jan49829.etsy.com
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| janamarieje |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 09:47:00 AM
Wow and thanks YellowRose, after reading your post I went to the internet and typed in "Phoenix Vegetable Gardening". The first site that shows up is http://www.gardeninginarizona.com/calendar.html and right off the bat I noticed our end of March start was later then recommended. I also found Phoenix has two growing cycles. I need to explore the internet more often!
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
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| YellowRose |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 09:35:54 AM
Jana I don't know about Arizona but in Texas each county has an extension agent who has an office in court house and is on call for garden/farming questions. Agriculture colleges like Texas A&M have a website about Texas plants and gardening here. Master Gardeners are also a good source of info and help.
Sara~~~ FarmGirl Sister #6034 8/25/14
FarmGirl of the Month Sept 2015.
Lord put your arm around my shoulders and your hand over my mouth. |
| janamarieje |
Posted - Aug 13 2016 : 09:13:36 AM
Yes there is a botanical garden, Desert Botanical Garden, but I don't recall there being a vegetable garden area. I will have to go back and check. The nursery nearby is a chain who just wants to sell things and tells you "now is a good time to plant" all year long. My next visit I will try to locate a neighborhood nursery. I did find a local landscape designer/consultant website, http://www.azplantlady.com/, that I need to explore more of.
Thank you Dawn for the suggestions, it got me thinking back to the basics and remind myself that I have been gardening 10+ years and it has been a hit and miss in Southern California too.
Jana
#7110
http://www.emhardt.com
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
All I really need is love, but a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt! ~Charles Schulz
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| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Aug 12 2016 : 8:36:22 PM
Is there a botanical garden or nursery nearby that your daughter can call or email about the best way to grow vegetables in her area? They could advise her on the best growing median and watering practices for her containers. Best of luck next time, never give up!
Dawn in IL
"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." Abraham Lincoln |
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