Arizona's low country provides a perfect climate for year-round backyard gardening.
Although Arizona is often known for its desert landscapes and dry heat, this Southwestern state has a variety of climates suitable for vegetable gardening. Northern Arizona experiences four seasons like most other areas of the country, but the unique weather conditions in the low desert require a specialized planting schedule. Does this Spark an idea?
Time Frame
In the Arizona desert, including Phoenix, gardeners can plant and grow vegetables practically year-round. While frost dictates the beginning and end of season in most areas of the country, heat is the main factor in planning Arizona gardens. June is generally the hottest month for garden plants to survive.
Recommendations
Plant traditional summer vegetables, including tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, peppers and melons, in mid-February so they are ready to harvest by late spring, before the scalding temperatures break. Start bush beans and squash from seed through the end of July for a late fall harvest. Cool-season vegetables, such as lettuce, turnips, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, can be started indoors during the summer heat and transplanted to an outdoor garden in late September to November.
Considerations
Water conservation is an important practice in the desert, so deep, infrequent watering is an effective way to ensure that your plants receive an appropriate amount of water without much loss to surface evaporation. Water once weekly during spring and fall and twice weekly in the summer, providing enough water to soak the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Insert a yardstick in the soil to measure moisture depth. A top layer of mulch is a good way to help maintain soil moisture.
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