Kye AuClaire
ABS 360
Topic 10 – Vegetable Gardens in the Southwest
Preparing Desert Soils Video
oDesert soils are often low in organic matter
oOrganic matter in desert soils helps retain water and retain nutrients such as
nitrogen
oOrganic matter be mixed into the soil at least once a year, in the fall
oTIP: Compost and mix in garden residues to build healthy garden soil
oCovered with organic material such as straw in summer season; mulching
oMulches reduce water loss and moderate soil temperatures
oMulching increases harvest yields and reduce weeds
oTIP: No grass clippings, especially Bermudagrass.
oHIGH PH, low nutrients
oPreparing rich soil environment will help, layering garden soil with mulch
Vegetable Gardening Video 1
oMay-September is warm
WARM-SEASON
SEASON OF MISERY
oOctober-April
Pleasant for plants and people
COOL SEASON
oCOOL
65 and below to mid April
oWarm season
Above 65
oMust plan garden in early fall
oVariety in cool season in extensive
Lettuce, carrots, broccoli, peas, onions, parsley, cilantro, sage
oLettuce and radish grow quickly
Grow in a few short weeks
oCool season edibles like broccoli and onions are more slowly growing
First two weeks of October
oWARM SEASON
Last from May to September
May and June are dry
June is driest and hottest
Monsoon: June/July to September
Lowers air to Cool
Nighttime temperatures are above 90
Tomato and squash seem to stop producing by July
Produce most abundantly in May and June
Shade cloth filters to make plant survive in July
Warm season vegetables require protection from cold
Pepper harvests in early season
Important to select things that can stand sun and hot temperatures
Tomato, squash, watermelon, peppers and chilis, cucumbers, and
eggplants, basil and chives
Which season?
General rule: Roots, stems, flowers and leaves are cool season
Warm season are grown for fruits
Tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggplants
Vegetable Garden Installation
oGood location must need 4-6 hours of sunlight, nearby water source and level
growing surface
oFree or rocks and debris and weeds
oSeeds
o
plants and bulbs
ON PACKET
Planting days will be wrong
Must get ones specific to our region
oNumber of days to germination and how deep to sow the seed
oThe size of the seed correlates for how deep to sow it
oCarrots should be lightly sown
oSquash should be deeper about 1 inch
oDon’t sow seeds too close together
oAfter sowing water good and keep evenly moist
oTransplants are young starter plants purchased from nursery
Healthy with good color
Disease free
Not overgrown
oHow to plant transplants
Dig hole twice as wide but as deep as seed
Place into hole and give water, and backfill hole with soil
Gently tap soil around base of plant
Apply 2-3 inch organic mulch such as straw
oRecommend transplant under 500ft for gardens
oFor fast growing crops like carrots sowing is better
oOnions and garlic are bulbs
Dig a hole at least 2 times deeper than bulb
Important to basil side down and top portion upwards
Backfill with soil
oTIP: Check garden soil for dryness every few days, Soil should be moist to a
depth of 8 inches
oSuccessful garden
Adequate sunlight and water
Generally level soil
Free of weeds and debris
Amend garden soil with organic matter
Garden Tour Video
o
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
