Vegetables and flowers can grow practically year-round in Maricopa County, Ariz.
Gardening in the low desert of Maricopa County, Ariz., requires some practices uncommon to gardening in the rest of the country or the rest of the state. Maricopa Country, including Phoenix and the surrounding cities, experiences intense summer temperatures, drought periods and lack of a true winter that make gardening interesting. For these reasons, irrigation and an unorthodox planting schedule are necessary to make the most of gardens in this desert environment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Plant bulbs in January for summer bloom. Prune roses and trees. Plant young trees in December or January so they can root before the soil dries in summer. Sow spring perennial flowers from December to January.
2. Plant a spring vegetable garden in mid-February, around the average date of the last winter frost. Spring vegetables can include tomatoes, melons, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beets, leaf lettuce, spinach and bush beans. Vegetables will be ready to harvest in March to April.
3. Sow or transplant frost-tender perennial flowers and plants in mid- to late February. Flowers can include daisies, snapdragons, pansies, petunias, poppies, nasturtium and alyssum. Add sunflowers, zinnias, marigolds, vinca, hollyhocks and cosmos from March to May.
4. Plant a summer vegetable garden in late spring. Include melons, carrots, cucumbers, corn, peas, radishes and green onions. Provide a shade screen for your garden in May. Although most vegetables require full sunlight, Maricopa County's afternoon summer sun is too harsh and can sunburn growing plants.
5. Sow perennial flower seeds in June to July for fall color. Include marigolds, sunflowers, vinca, zinnia and cockscomb. Dig up bulbs for lilies; daffodil bulbs can stay in the ground year-round. Palm trees may also be transplanted in June.
6. Plant a fall vegetable garden from June to August, including corn, pole beans, cantaloupe, pumpkins, squash and spinach. Plant vegetables from seed and plants will grow as temperatures start to cool off. Provide afternoon shade.
7. Sow gaillardia, nasturtium, marigold, daisy and zinnia seeds in August if you have not already. Sow additional perennial and annual flower seeds in September for winter color. If you do not plan to grow winter grass, fertilize your lawn to extend its green life.
8. Transplant citrus trees in October. Also bury amaryllis, calla, daffodil and iris bulbs for spring bloom. Overseed winter grass from October to November if desired.
9. Plant a winter garden from September to November. Include cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, carrots, radishes, lettuce, onions, garlic and peas. Plant artichoke roots in December. Seedlings started indoors in summer can be transplanted in mid-September for a late November harvest.
Tags: Maricopa County, vegetable garden, County Ariz, December January, flower seeds, garden from, Maricopa County Ariz
