This ain't Cape Cod! Why gardening in the desert is different.
Arizona (and the rest of the desert southwest) has a climate nothing like the New England region that many TV gardening shows focus on, so much of their information is irrelevant for us. In Phoenix, for example, you don't need to know how to prep your flower beds for winter.
Since it's not always easy to find information on gardening in this warm, dry climate, I'd like to share a few resources I've come across.
Since it's not always easy to find information on gardening in this warm, dry climate, I'd like to share a few resources I've come across.
Latest Gardening Links
These are the 5 gardening-related websites I've bookmarked most recently.
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byYear-round color
3 hearty plants that can take the heat!
These three plants won't just survive the southwestern summer heat - they'll bloom where they're planted! Ask about them at your favorite local nursery.- Lantana - A favorite of Arizona gardeners, this woody plant is filled with colorful blooms year-round. Bees, hummingbirds and butterflies love it, so I bet you will too!
- Vinca - Like most plant nurseries, the one I used to work at had items for sale appropriate to the season. By the end of a hot Arizona summer, vinca was one of the few flowering plants still on display - others simply couldn't take the high temperatures. The flowers seem delicate, but it's one tough plant!
- Ice plant - I learned about this one through Mary Irish's Arizona Gardener's Guide (see Garden Resources). It has the sturdiness of a succulent - with colorful flowers that will bloom all throughout the year.
Summer plants!
No plant nursery nearby? You can order the plants I recommend above with just a couple of clicks.
Hardy Camara Lantana 12 Seeds
Amazon Price: $3.99 (as of 11/09/2009) 
Vinca major Green (Big Leaf Periwinkle) {24 Pots - 3 1/2 in., $3.77 each plant}
Amazon Price: (as of 11/09/2009)
Delosperma Cooperi Violet Purple Ice Plant
Amazon Price: (as of 11/09/2009)
Differences in the Desert: Seasons
They say that there are two seasons in Arizona - hot and less hot.
When other parts of the U.S. are coiling up and putting away their hoses to keep them from freezing, Arizona gardens are really getting going! Many plants grow throughout the winter months - just make sure to cover them if there is a freeze warning. You can plant carrots in the fall, then again in the spring. It's summertime that's the challenge. Nursing flower and vegetable gardens through the hot months takes plenty of water and TLC. How's the Weather in Phoenix?
Current weather conditions in Phoenix, AZ (85004)
Local Pollen Reports
77°F (Feels like 75°F)
Last update: 11/9/09 7:51 PM MST
Humidity: 25%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 39°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.00in rising
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 3mph From: Airport Conditions
Garden Wear
Wear your love of gardening wherever you go with these unique garden designs - created by me.
These high-quality shirts and hats are tough enough to work in, but stylish enough you'll want to wear them out on the town. (What? There's a world outside the garden??)
Differences in the Desert: Water
The less water there is, the more you have to think about it!
By definition, it doesn't rain much in the desert. So you have to think a lot about watering. A great place to start is with plants native to your area or other desert climates.Whatever plants you choose, you need to know how much to water. Check out these free interactive watering guides to get you started.
And, remember, it's important not to over water desert plants! Succulents and other low-water use plants only need occasional waterings.
Harvesting rainwater
A green way to keep your garden green.
2 books on how to harvest rainwater in dry climates.
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond (Vol. 2): Water-Harvesting Earthworks
Amazon Price: $21.75 (as of 11/09/2009)
Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands (Vol. 1): Guiding Principles to Welcome Rain into Your Life And Landscape
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/09/2009)
Watering Resources
Information about irrigation, saving water and how much to water in arid climates
- Landscape Watering Guide: Water - Use It Wisely
- A simple guide to watering your home's landscape. Provides helpful information on water conservation in your landscape.
- AMWUA Water Conservation | Events, Workshops, Publications
- A conversation about conservation. Publications on landscape care, plant selection, landscape design, water conservation tips.
- The Garden Guy's Summer Watering Schedule PDF
- A simple guide (PDF) for how much to water different plants during the hottest time of the year.
- Irrigation Tips
- Your irrigation system is the key to creating a healthy, water-efficient landscape. Know how to water and when.
- IrrigationTutorials.com
- "The web's mother lode of free irrigation information!" Independent product reviews, tutorials, water-saving tips, repair information, etc.
Garden Reads
Books for gardening in Arizona, the Southwest and beyond
I've personally picked out and would recommend these titles!
Arizona Gardener's Guide
Fabulous suggestions for Arizona gardens! Organized so you can easily find plants for your zone that fit what you're looking for - using less water, resisting pests, attracting butterflies, etc.
Extreme Gardening: How to Grow Organic in the Hostile Deserts
Organic gardening tips for the desert from David Owens, a.k.a. "the garden guy."
Sunset Western Garden Book
Like an encyclopedia of western U.S. plants, this is the comprehensive guide for southwestern gardeners.
National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southwestern States: Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah (Audubon Field Guide)
Although this is not a gardening book per se, it is perfect to help you identify southwestern plants you see when hiking, etc. that you may like to plant. It will also help you identify the birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals that might visit your garden from time to time, as well as any plants that pop up volunteer.
The Practical Encyclopedia of Container Gardening
I have "Container Gardening" by the same author, Stephanie Donaldson. She gives great how-tos on choosing pots and plants, transplanting and caring for your container garden. It is not specifically written for the desert, but most of her tips can be used anywhere.
Gardening Resources
Great sites about gardening in the Southwest and/or Arizona.
- Arizona Cooperative Extension: Horticulture and Pests
- Selected Arizona cooperative extension sites related to horticulture and pests.
- Southwestern Arizona Gardening Information
- University of Arizona Cooperative Extension presents beginning information for home gardeners, gardening events and gardening links.
- Garden Tips from Harper's Nurseries and Landscape Co.
- Printable PDFs of various Garden Tips, including Care of House Plants, Garden Preparation Guide, Low-Water Use Plant Selection, Plants for Hummingbirds, Vegetable & Flower Planting Dates and more.
- Dave The Garden Guy's Site!
- Helpful tips to improve your gardening in the Desert Southwest organically. You can also find many organic products and books to help guide you in your gardening.
- PlantNative - Native Plants, Lawn Alternatives, Landscape Design and Landscaping
- "PlantNative is dedicated to moving native plants and naturescaping into mainstream landscaping practices. We believe this promotes biodiversity, preserves our
natural heritage and enhances livability."
Garden Gear
Garden gifts from Amazon
Garden Inspiration
Places in Arizona that show how beautiful desert gardens can be.
- Boyce Thompson Arboretum
- Located about 40 minutes east of Phoenix (near Superior, AZ), Boyce Thompson Arboretum displays plants from desert environments worldwide.
- Desert Botanical Garden
- Breathtaking desert beauty from start to finish!
- Phoenix Zoo
- Neat plant groupings in the main plaza, the children's zoo and throughout.
Garden Shows
Expos, shows and extravanganzas with a garden/landscape focus
- Southwest Flower & Garden Show
- From the site: "The Southwest's premier gardening and outdoor living showplace."
- Maricopa County Home Shows
- From the site: "All of our Exhibitors have been screened through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors State Agency and the Better Business Bureau of Central and Northern Arizona."
- Scottsdale Home Art & Garden Show
- 2nd annual event at WestWorld, Scottsdale (AZ).
- Arizona Home & Building Expo
- 18th annual event located at Phoenix Convention Center (AZ).
Whatcha Think?
Let me know what you think! Feel free to add your own tips for gardening in desert climates!
jonarablu wrote...
This is great! I live on Maui so we always pretty much have a warm climate too..though I'm sure not as dry. However we keep having droughts every summer..the summer before last was bad!
I think you have done an awesome job w/ this lens!
Posted February 27, 2009
by BoldAvenue
Hello there! Since gardening is a little different here in my home state of Arizona, I wanted to share some things I've learned. I'd love to hear from... (more)
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