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ARIZONA GARDENS
Gardening in the Valley of the Sun is not only possible, it is great!
Many of the wonderfully landscaped valley subdivisions are proof of what can be grown in the desert.
In January, planting can be started with bare root rose bushes, bare root trees and bushes. The excellent variety of roses brightens our landscape during most of the year.
You can choose to grow rosebushes named for celebrities - "Queen Elizabeth" rose bush has wonderfully pink blooms - this rose variety is tall, unlike its namesake. "Chrysler Imperial" is red as well as the "Gypsy" rose ; "John F. Kennedy" is a white rose, and would anyone be able to resist planting a fragrant "Angel Face" rose bush, or a "Blue Girl" (not really a blue color, but in the family)? The red blooming "Veteran" rose bush is totally wonderful, and admired as much as the veterans! The much loved "Peace" rose bush produces huge, creamy orange-tinted flowers, giving the desert gardener many moments of happiness. One North Central garden now has Glowing Peace, Chicago Peace, and Pink Peace in addition to the original "Peace" rose, perhaps wishing for world peace from the ground up!
You can also start the vegetable garden in January by planting the bare root asparagus and strawberries. What a delight to see your own cabbage, carrots, lettuce, potatoes, and radishes grow in your own back yard!
To the envy of the people still shoveling snow elsewhere in January, Arizona gardeners can sow African Daisies, Alyssum, Bachelor Buttons, Calendula, California Poppies, Candytuft, Carnation, Hollyhocks, Larkspur, Lupines, Pansies, Petunias, Shasta Daisies, Sweet Peas, Snapdragons, and Violets.
Expert gardeners diversify in order to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, not to mention giving food for the caterpillars. The flowering color scheme should be yellow, purple and white, to catch the attention of the beautiful butterfly visitors.
The plant nurseries are a quick source for information as to when to plant cantaloupe, eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, summer squash, watermelon, winter squash. The experts tell us we should start the melon crops in May.
The beautiful Sonoran desert has given many a garden a start. The desert is not "an empty wasteland." The seeds from Saguaro, Cholla and many rare plants have given "desert landscaping" a particular meaning in subdivisions with small yards, and as well as users worrying about conserving water.
During the summer months, we must try to protect our plants from the hot and dry weather.
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Some helpful sites to acquaint you with "Gardening in the Desert:"
Herbs 2 U The Herb Lady says: In the valley we can grow culinary herbs year round. There are
over 43 varieties of basil (and counting). . .over 400 known varieties of thyme. . .over 200 varieties of lavender.
Arboretum at Arizona State University
Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information
Arizona Cactus Sales
ARIZONA DESERT GARDENING GUIDE
Arizona Department of Agriculture
Arizona Fall Landscaping
Arizona-Sonoran Desert Museum
Arizona Master Gardeners
and
Arizona Garden Guy
Dave Owens, popular show has moved to a new timeslot
(2:30 p.m. on Saturdays) on Channel 3TV.
Arizona Native Plant Society
Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park
Cacti & Succulents Forum
Cactus Propagation from Seeds
Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society
The Desert Botanical Garden, 480-481-8144
Desert Landscaping for Beginners:
Tips and Techniques for Success in an Arid Climate
Desert Plants & Wildflowers
Farm to Family
The Arizona Grown Farm to Family Directory lists farms where consumers can buy agricultural products directly from Arizona farmers and ranchers. Visiting a pick-your-own farm to cut a Christmas tree, pick apples or buy fresh fruits and vegetables can be an enjoyable family outing. The Arizona Grown Farm to Family Directory was prepared by the Arizona Department of Agriculture. For more information or to add farms and ranches to future editions of the directory, call: Arizona Department of Agriculture, Office of Commodity Development and Promotion
at (602) 542-0978.
GardenWeb will help you with answers and tips.
Gardening Resource tells you everything from smart soil to spring planting tips.
Gentle Strength Co-op -Tempe, Arizona
Landscape Interpretive Trail and Demonstration Gardens
Master Gardeners 602-470-8086. Free expert advice on a gardening or landscaping problem: this group consists of members who know all about watering, insects, soil conditions, and all the other sources of consternation for gardeners in Arizona.
Mesa Library Gardening Section
Park of the Canals
Other Arizona Horticultural Clubs
Plant List
Plant Photos
Plants and Wildflowers
Sonoran Desert Naturalist
Specialty Gardens in the Low Desert
The Amateurs' Digest
The Arizona State University Plant Herbarium(ASU Herbarium)
The Office of Arid Lands Studies (OALS)
The Phoenix Flora
University of Arizona Publications
Virtual Garden: Weather in the Valley of the Sun; Find out all there is to know about weather in the Valley of the Sun
Vegetable Gardening in Arizona
Vegetable Gardening Information by Ed Phillips
Arizona Vegetables
Xeriscape Plant List
Xeriscaping & Southwestern Gardening
Xeriscape Trees and Plants
Hot weather plant survival tips
GARDENING in the DESERT
The Arizona Native Plant Guide - Beautiful and colorful graphics
Arizona Garden Clubs
Arizona Aquatic Gardens
Arizona Master Gardener Manual
Blooming Arizona promises to change the way you look at your yard.
Community Gardens for youth
Growing Tomatoes in the Desert Forum
Texas Ranger,
Desert Adapted Plant
Texas Ranger (Leucophyllum) – Evergreen Shrub
Dirt Doctor Devoted to organic living.
LANDSCAPING in ARIZONA
Nurseries abound, and can not only sell trees, plants, shrubs and flowers for your landscape, but offer advice.
Master Gardener John Chapman's Southwest Gardening. Ask a Question, check his Q & A section. John writes a weekly column for the Tribune, telling you when and how to plant in the Valley, with a monthly calendar of tips.
Arizona Garden Clubs
These gardening groups meet on a regular monthly schedule:
Arizona East Valley Gardener's Club
Arizona Herb Association,
602-470-8086, Ext: 830
Arizona Native Plant Society Phoenix Chapter, 602-992-5435
Central Arizona Cactus and Succulent Society (602)-493-7003
California Rare Fruit Growers Phoenix Branch.
Meets every second Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at:
Cooperative Extension Palo Verde Room
4341 E. Broadway Dr., Phoenix, Arizona 85040
Desert Pointe Garden Club
Meets the first Monday of each month, October - May; 9:30 AM in Ahwatukee.
Members from Chandler, Ahwatukee, Tempe, and Gilbert, actively seeking new members.
Email Judy Gustafson.
Desert Valley Orchid Society (480) 813-7242 (Bill)
East Valley Men' Garden Club (480) 981-2523 (Barbra)
Glendale Rose Society (623) 934-6349 (Nancy)
Greater Phoenix Pond Society (623) 931-8422 (Alan or Janay)
Mesa-East Valley Rose Society
Orchid Society of Arizona (480) 496-5712 (Keith)
Phoenix Bonsai Society (602) 995-3870 (Elsie)
Phoenix Rose Society Joanna 480-967-7001
Phoenix Chrysanthemum Society
Wayne Wight
602-943-7418
The Scottsdale Garden Club (480) 945-3918 (Nancy)
Scottsdale Rose Society (602) 277-1542 (Janey)
Sun City Rose Society & Garden Club, Sun City, AZ
Sy Hubrig (President), 10734 Hurron Drive, Sun City, AZ 85351
Sun Country Iris Society (602) 371-8816 (Deborah)
Valley of the Sun Gardeners (602) 942-1543 (Bill)
West Valley Rose Society
Resources for citrus and rose bushes
Greenfield Citrus Nursery: 2558 E. Lehi Road, Mesa, (480) 830-8000 or www.greenfieldcitrus.com
Harper’s Nursery: 1830 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, (480) 964-4909 or www.harpersnursery.com
or Baker Nursery:
3414 N 40th St.,
Phoenix,
(602) 955-4500 or www.bakernurseryaz.com or
University of Arizona Cooperative Extension: 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix (602) 470-8086 or http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden
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