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| Cucumber |
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| Carrots and tomatoes |
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| Bell pepper and hot pepper |
A few blogs ago I finally started my
tiny backyard garden. I was not expecting much success through the
summer due to the scorching 110+ heat. I was pleasantly surprised by
the harvest of tomato, cucumbers and carrots. The bell peppers and
hot peppers began to produce but not very successfully. Since then
the garden has grown to several more containers with watermelon,
cantaloupe, red and white onions, pinto beans, more cucumbers,
broccoli, red lettuce, and finally potatoes. Along with the tomato
plants that survived the bitter desert winter,
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| Roma tomatoes |
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| Pinto beans and tiny mushrooms |
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| Potato plants |
The potato plants have
taken off and seem to be very healthy. The pinto beans produced bean
pods but have now yellowed in the leaves and little tiny mushrooms
have started growing in their container. The broccoli and red lettuce
grew wonderfully and I am taking the plants to seed. The term “taking
to seed” means to allow the plants to flower and produce seed for
the next crop. This is also a form of seed saving. I suppose the
point of this blog is not to brag about my mad gardening skills
although yeah I am sort of bragging. But to show you look at what can
be grown in the desert.
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| Broccoli flowering |
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| Red lettuce going to seed |
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| Broccoli going to seed |
One of the most extreme and harshest (in my
opinion) of growing conditions. While I don't get snow I do get
several weeks of below freezing temperatures and months of the most
extreme and punishing sun. To put it this way, if I water at the
wrong time of day the plants will become sun burnt and die. In
Arizona water and sun can actually kill your plants. The best times I
have noticed to water are very early in the morning before direct sun
light and at dusk. If I can grow vegetables in the hot Sonoran Desert
then you can grow vegetables anywhere. Food is free start a garden
today and get growing!
I like how you have different types of plants to grow, what's your favorite type of plant you enjoy the most ?
ReplyDeleteGrowing cucumbers were the most exciting, the plant was a seedling one day then it seemed like over night it grew to be this monstrous vine. I also enjoyed how I had to help it hold onto the trellis. Not to mention eating the cucumbers haha.
DeleteI never knew how much watermelon will grow in Arizona. I've also noticed that tomatoes and eggplants grow really well, my mom has a few of those in her garden. Have you tried growing Kale or Swiss Chard. That also grows really well. AS long as you know the right times to water like you said. Good luck and I hope your garden holds up during the predicted heat of this summer!
ReplyDeleteHey Mary, this a really interested post. I love the idea of growing your own food. Seeing you being able to grow under the Arizona sun makes me want to give it a try. Are there any tips you could give me before doing so?
ReplyDeleteHmm well I would say get a timer for watering during the summer. Go into the space you are planning on gardening at and see what area has morning sun but afternoon shade. The afternoon sun will fry plants in Az. Also sign up for email alerts at https://www.almanac.com/ The emails tell you what to plant at what time. Start out small maybe a few plants to see if you're ready. Watering, weeding and picking off bugs takes a lot of time and effort. Goodluck!
DeleteI also have a veggie garden and I also have a flower garden! I'm so happy that I'm not the only one! Plants are awesome to learn about and take care off and I'm glad to hear that you've had success! Your post has also shown me what else I can grow here!!
ReplyDelete