Are you thinking of making a move to a more organic, plant-based diet and want to use the extra space in your yard? Almost everything tastes better when it’s fresh from the garden, and even though we live in a climate that has extra issues to deal with, there are some vegetables that can grow well in the desert. Here are some tips to creating a successful vegetable garden in Gilbert.
When choosing a location on your property for the garden, in full sunlight is fine, but avoid creating a garden close to a western facing wall. The reflected heat from the afternoon sun doesn’t help. Also, the majority of vegetables are not worth maintaining through the summer, and a garden that will not be maintained through the summer won’t need to be sheltered from the sun.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are easily the most popular veggie in the home garden, but unfortunately, the Phoenix weather causes some difficulties. Just when your plants are about to really produce, the summer heat takes them out. The key to growing tomatoes here is to pick the varieties that produce early and plant them early. Even still, the season for these will be short. Once temps hit 100 degrees, it’s time to let them go and start again next fall. They grow best in full sunlight.
Spinach and Broccoli
Spinach and broccoli are relatively easy crops. Plant in the fall from seeds and harvest in spring. A garden that receives full sun is best.
Artichokes
Globe artichokes actually grow fairly well here, but they need afternoon shade and plenty of water. If planted in the spring they will not produce until next spring, so plant them in the fall and you will get heads the following spring. In summer they look dead, but just keep taking care of them and they come back.
Chilis and Peppers
Both hot and sweet peppers do very well in Arizona, but they don’t like the hottest part of the year. They are most productive in spring and fall. To maximize your pepper production either plant them in full sun in the early fall from seed and hope for a mild winter, or plant them in early March as larger nursery stock. Peppers are hungry plants so fertilize them well to maximize yield.
With a little research, work and patience, you can have a very successful veggie crop fresh from your backyard!
Planting a vegetable garden in the desert
