Arizona Gardeners! - Page 5

[seeing_stars]

Bumping from the depths! Did anyone keep their gardens alive over the summer? I got so frustrated with mine that I completely neglected it and didn't water it for more than 2 months but it is still alive. My tomatoes are 6 feet tall, peppers are large, cucumbers producing. One of my artichoke plants is back in full force. Crazy.

[DecemberSun]

I also neglected my garden during most of August and September. I pulled everything out that wasn't thriving. The peppers, one artichoke, and the herbs are still going strong, but everything else is gone. I planted a few zucchinis, but I'm not sure if I was too late. I'm just not feeling it lately! I barely bought a few flowers for my pots on the patio, and even that feels like a lot of "work" (the watering.) I'm hoping I get inspiration to plant a big spring garden again, though.

[swd12422]

I didn't have much to neglect, but my few container plants all survived! I have two big basil plants that are ready to burst out of the pots and I have taken a few cuttings to see if I can keep propagating them through the winter and into the spring so I don't have to buy new plants next year.

My one tomato plant did alright til I accidentally cut off one of the two main branches. The one I cut didn't make it (and it had several little tomatoes on it!) and the main plant is doing ok, but it looks sad. Still, there are a half dozen tomatoes on there that are just starting to ripen, so hopefully it won't be a total loss.

I also have a lemongrass plant that needs to go into the ground, but I'm not sure how to do that yet, and I started a small SFG and have carrot, marigold, nasturtium and pea sproutlets so far. There's also a bell pepper plant that isn't enjoying the transplant, some garlic that may or may not work out, onions, broccoli and cauliflower that I'm hoping not to kill before they're big enough to harvest.

Is anyone planting now for winter/spring, or is it too late?

[SundayCrepes]

Two of my three tomatoes are doing fine. My eggplants made it through the summer. Basil is great. The red peppers never really did much, though they are still alive.

My issue is that my garden is on a lot next door in an unfenced area. My 2 year old is a runaway baby so I can't do anything in the garden unless she is being watched by my husband. Our schedules just don't leave much time for me to get into the garden. Maybe by spring she'll be less of a runaway child and I can give my garden more attention.

[carrotsprout]

our red and yellow bell peppers are thriving! if i forget to tie them up they break off from the weight. i thought they were dead but they spent the summer smothered under cantaloupe and cucumber. when i cut all the vines away there were these big beautiful 2 foot tall plants!

i have some tomato weeds still hanging out. sort of.

the world's largest basil tree .

a purple yard long bean that must be a few plants. i'm not sure but it is producing very well. go figure.

i picked the last watermelon yesterday .

and several unidentified squash/melon/cuke type viney things that i'm just letting grow. cover crops i guess.

[swd12422]

Tomato question: Do you all leave your plants up all winter even though they're not producing, or do you cut them down and let them regrow? Or do you rip them out and start over with seed next spring? It's hard to know what to do with these things, since all the mainstream advice assumes nothing growing/surviving in the winter.

[swd12422]

Frost!!

What do you all do during a hard frost? Do you keep everything covered with plastic, even during the day, or do you take it off when the sun comes up?

My broccoli and cauliflower have major frost on the leaves, even with keeping them covered last night and yesterday (it was cloudy and cold). I didn't want to suffocate them, so I lifted the cover this morning, and they're pretty frosty. How can/should I be protecting the few little crops I have?

[SundayCrepes]

Most of my garden froze early december. I covered it, but I still lost all my tomatoes (with many on the vine) as well as my basil, peppers, eggplants. I didn't cover for this last frost. It's just too many nights of too cold weather. 

Also, I thought you weren't supposed to use plastic because it holds in the moisture and can form ice. I thought you were supposed to use sheets or even newspaper. Though I'm no expert so I don't know.

I haven't checked my garden recently.Seems rather pointless to me.

[SundayCrepes]

Thought I'd see if any other Arizonans are out there. 

My garden this summer sucked. Will avoid that sad story.

I just planted today for winter. I thought about what we'd really use. I use a lot of carrots, onions, garlic, and potatoes. However, I can't pick them. I'd feel too awful. So I ruled all those out. I'll just buy them.

The big winter veggies we eat are broccoli and spinach. I planted 19 broccoli plants. I will freeze all the excess we get. I also planted a good size section with spinach seeds. We eat lots of these two veggies. I also planted some pea seeds to see what happens. The same with celery. It's supposed to do well at this time of year, but the package says seeds are difficult to germinate. Either it will be interesting to see what happens.

I am excited to see these plants grow.

What is everyone else planting?

Soon I will plant blackberry and raspberry vines and grapes. And strawberries.

Anyone have advice on those?

[mommy3522]

I became an avid AZ gardener 1.5 years ago when I decided to resign from my job and become a SAHM.  And I've never looked back.  I've taken every free class I can about gardening in the desert from the Tucson Community Food Bank.  They have come to my house numerous times to give me soil, compost, seeds, and plants.  They also helped me install the grey water system to my washing machine.  I have begun a backyard compost and 2 worm composts in my kitchen with their help.  I can not recommend them enough for their knowledge and kindness is finding free childcare so I could attend the classes.  It is such a wonderful asset to our community.

I have little seedlings of lettuce, spinach, chard, beets, cilantro, dill, kale, radishes, artichokes, peas, onion, etc.....  in my garden.  The last 2 nights have been abnormally cold and I have not covered my plants.  I hope they make it.  I notice the sun is getting lower in the sky which means they aren't getting the amount of sun they used to in the summer.  This is all an experiment as it is my first winter garden in my front and backyard.  I'll have to see how it goes and make adjustments accordingly.  

Other years I planted at a community garden.  It got too hard to get over there with my little ones so now I am digging up my yard and planting there.  I am new to Mothering and just found this thread.  It will be fun to learn from the rest of you.

I have a lemon tree and grape vines that I need to put in the ground where the grey water was installed.  I am also in the Garden/Mentor program where I have a mentor come to my house and give me tips about what to do/not to do.

It is so different and difficult trying to grow things here, in AZ.  I like challenges and eating healthy so that is why I took up gardening.  I have so many food issues, gardening was the one positive thing I could do to help my body and my family stay healthy.

[mommy3522]

I'm a newbie Triple post. Sorry.

Edited by mommy3522 - 11/9/11 at 11:40pm

[mommy3522]

I'm a newbie.  Triple post. Sorry.

Edited by mommy3522 - 11/9/11 at 11:40pm

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by mommy3522 

I am also in the Garden/Mentor program where I have a mentor come to my house and give me tips about what to do/not to do.

How do I get involved with this program?

[mommy3522]

Sorry about the triple post.  I don't see where I can delete or edit that post after submitting it.

Call the Food Bank.  Ask for Brooke.  Inquire about the guidelines for being involved.  It is such a great program.  Everything about the Backyard Garden Programs are wonderful.  There are 2 farms in and around Tucson that they run.  One is Urban Farm, where you can get a plot for free.  Lots of folks garden there and help each other.  Call Chris Loewen if you want to know more about managing a plot.  I am interested in getting a plot there but you need 3 people to maintain it and garden together.  Perhaps you and I could partner if that is of interest.

Marana Heritage Farm is another great Community Food Bank resource.  It is in Marana and too far for me to drive to garden there.

http://communityfoodbank.com/programs-services/community-food-security-center/garden/garden-mentor-program/

This link sends you to the Mentor program info.  Their website is thorough and has all their programs listed.  Enjoy!!

[mommy3522]

FYI, Urban Farm is located I-19 and 29th St. area.

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by mommy3522 

FYI, Urban Farm is located I-19 and 29th St. area.

That isn't too far for me. If you know someone else interested in doing it together, let me know. Otherwise I know someone who might be interested. Let's talk IRL.