What two primary factors need to be considered when planning a successful vegetable garden in
the Phoenix area?
●Phoenix soil is very low in nutrients as it is very dry
●Biological activity and carbon cycling is very low in desert soils in Phoenix
●Mix organic material into the soil at least once a year
○(preferably in the Fall as part of the Cool Season garden)
●Compost and mix in garden residues to build a healthy garden soil
●Start a compost
●Plants are at risk of higher rates of water loss
●Desert soils have a very high pH and are basic/alkaline
●Make the garden a rich soil environment
●Add a fertilizer (natural and organic)
○Releases essential nutrients like nitrogen
●Poor structure
What are some examples of common cool-season vegetables and herbs? What are some
examples of common warm-season vegetables and herbs?
●See list above
How should you prepare soil for a vegetable garden?
●Mix organic material into the soil at least once a year
○(preferably in the Fall as part of the Cool Season garden)
●Compost and mix in garden residues to build a healthy garden soil
●Start a compost as organic matter amendment
What are the benefits of amending garden soil with organic matter?
●Recycling of organic matter back into nature
What is compost? How is it used in vegetable garden preparation and maintenance?
●Old fruits and vegetables
●Layered on the top layer of soils
What is mulch? What organic matter mulch materials were mentioned in the video?
●Covering or top dressing of organic material is known as mulch
●Straw is an example
Study Guide 9 - Vegetable Gardens
What are the benefits of applying mulch to a vegetable garden?
●Lower rates of water loss
●Moderate soil temperatures
●Surface mulches are evenly use
●Increase harvest yields
●Inhibit the growth and germination of weeds
●Reduce water use
●Should be free of weed propagules such as seeds, free of disease, and other harmful
pathogens
●Should not be toxic to plant growth
What plant residues are NOT recommended as a mulch?
●Never use grass clippings, especially Bermuda Grass
●Viable stem propagules may occur in unwanted garden weeds
What nutrient is most lacking in desert soils?
●Nitrogen is required to support a small productive garden
What are four requirements for selecting the proper site for a vegetable garden?
●Location
○Least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight
○Close access to water source
○Generally level surface to preventing eroding good soil
○Free of rocks, debris, and weeds like Bermuda Grass
○Inspect soil surface for weeds and remove them
What are the steps for preparing the garden planting area?
●Select a good location
○Sunlight
○Space
○Close to a water source
●Plan your garden location and layout
●Grow recommended varieties
●Obtain good seeds, plants, equipment, and supplies
●Prepare and care for soil, properly
○Inspect soil surface for weeds and remove them
●Plant vegetables, properly
●Irrigate with care
●Mulch and cultivate to control weeds
●Be prepared for pests and problems
●Harvest at peak quality
What materials are commonly used to amend the soil?
●Organic and natural sources
●Fertilizers
●Compost
Why is mechanical tilling of the soil discouraged?
●
What information should you look for on a seed packet?
●Seeds, transplants, and bulbs
●Seeds
○Large variety to choose from
●Get educated and study the information on the seed packet
●Days of planting will most likely be wrong in Phoenix, Arizona
●Growing seasons in the desert Southwest is very different from other locations that the
seeds may be planted
●Identify the cultivar or variety of seeds
○Growing habits
○Approximate harvest date
○Number of days of germination
○How deep to sow the seeds
○Size of size correlates to how deep to sow it
○Vegetable garden plants with smaller seeds, such as carrots, should be covered
superficially with a thin layer of soil
○Seed spacing should be considered
●Water thoroughly and keep moisture consistent throughout the garden
What are the advantages and disadvantages of planting seeds versus transplants?
●Transplants are simple younger starter plants
●Can purchase garden transplants from a plant nursery
●Look for
○Healthy in color
○Disease free
○Not overgrown
●Transplants are more ideal for small garden spaces under 500 square feet
○More efficient practice
○Onions and garlic are planted as healthy bulbs (dig a hole at least 2 times
deeper than the length of the bulb with correct orientation when placed)
●Fast growing, high density crops may require seeds
What is the proper planting technique for vegetable transplants?
●Dig the hole with the same depth as the plant root ball and twice as wide
●Tease apart the roots to loosen roots to allow expanding quicker growth
●Backfill hole with amending soil and water
●Very gently tap down the soil around the base of the plant
●Cover with straw or other organic mulch
●Check garden soil for dryness every few days
○Soil should be moist to a depth of 8 inches, especially during the warm season
