Well, Hello There!
I have been gardening away, just not posting about it. I realized I loved the variety of kale we had going (tasted sweet! survived the summer heat!) and wanted to plant the same variety again, but I hadn't kept record of it. Time to jump back on the wagon of record keeping.

We have had more freezing nights this spring than I have ever seen in the low desert. Luckily, I thought ahead and picked up some Wall o' Waters. I can tell the difference in the tomato plants who are cozy inside and those that aren't. This doesn't worry me much since it will just offset when each plant fruits.

This year I chose my old stand by favorite "Big Boy" variety and an heirloom "Brandywine". We loved the "Sweet 100" from years before but didn't plant any this year.

I planted 6 zucchini plants. I may regret that choice. :) Some of them may not make it from the freezing temps. I am hoping to julienne many of them and dehydrate them to be used as 'pasta' when it is too hot for the zucchini to grow.

Planted sweet potato starts. The soil in that bed hasn't been turned. A top dressing of compost and knowing the sweet potato will grow anywhere will be enough.
Harvested a bunch of chives to dehydrate today as well. The artichoke over wintered really well and has put out two new rooted shoots.

Other things to plant right now?

Basil
beets
carrots
artichokes
cucumbers (Armenian cucumbers seem to do best here)
eggplant
melons
sweet potato
pumpkins
squash


The Canna Lilies have spread nicely. They need to be divided soon. The frost took all of the greenery out, but there are shoots of green from the tubers coming up. As soon as I'm sure the frosts are over I will cut them back and divide them.The celery has reseeded itself. Most of that will be turned under. But we love the tender leaves in salads.

Welcome Spring!

I finally got the garden planted. A little late...
Four kinds of tomatoes, Pearson, Champion, Celebrity and Sweet 100 from transplant purchased at A&P Nursery.
Herbs and other yummies.
Photos soon.
I also made a change in the watering system.
It looked like too much water was being wasted as it was.

I took a break and didn't plant a winter garden.
Getting the watering system fixed and resting was the priority.
I may have lost most of it anyhow will all the freeze nights we had.
I greatly missed my fresh greens but am hoping the work put into the irrigation will pay off.

Happy Gardening!

Beans

"Beans respond very well to rock phosphate-type fertilizers as they contain slow-release phosphorous and trace minerals that beans need to fix their own nitrogen."
From : Growing Beans

Check out Maricopa county monthly tips.

If you are just getting started, you can plant  
Vegetables

Plant Seeds
Beans (Pinto& Snap), Corn, Armenian Cucumbers, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon), Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Sunflowers
Plant Transplants
Peppers, Tomatoes
Place shade cloth over tomatoes.

It is that time of year that all I do in the garden is  zip outside and pick tomatoes, pepper, beets, basil, kale, cucumbers or zuchinni for supper and RUN back inside. Whew.
The rest of the time I check on the spaghetti squash, eggplant and sweet potatoes from the window. "Yup, still green. Good to go."

Garden Design Inspiration

More inspiration!
look at the transformation.

Go Vynnie!

Aphid Fix

"Try planting some alyssum, chives and garlic near your tomatoes, aphids hate them. You can also, before you go get your ladybugs, puree two cloves of garlic, 2 hot peppers, and one-third cup water in a blender, strain out the solids and add a quarter of this mixture to a gallon of water. Spray it on your aphids. Add two tablespoons of vegetable oil to this mix to make it extra strong. This is a general insect repellent, so spray it right on the infestation and try to avoid the beneficial bugs."
by
Dan Gallo