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4 Simple Steps to Summer Gardening in the Desert

If you live in the desert, like we do at the Agriscaping Headquarters, you might be wondering how to grow a successful summer garden. We are going to share with you the four simple steps to take in order to have a plentiful garden during the hot summer months.

1. Identify your microclimates. These microclimates will help you to have a successful summer garden. They are created by how the sun moves across the sky. Where you plant in the summer is the most important factor to keep in mind when growing. You can even grow indoors!

2. Design for Summer Success. The placement of trees is great for filtered sun in the summer. You can also install a pergola or other shade structures to help with your summer garden. Protecting your plants from the hot summer sun can make all the difference. Layering and mounding is another way to create microclimates for summer growth.

3. Healthy Soil. This will help your vegetables grow and flourish. The ideal soil for vegetables is deep, well draining, holds moisture like a sponge, is high in organic matter with neutral pH (6 or 7), and crumbles easily.

4. Water. Conserve water without killing the plants is important. You want to make sure to have a healthy soil that will soak up the water easily. Another readily available source of water is greywater. Some great greywater resources you can tap into is:

  1. A/C condenser line
  2. Washing machine
  3. Shower
  4. Tub
  5. Bathroom Sink
  6. Reverse-osmosis water purifier

Watering is about depth, not time.

  1. Herbs, you will want to water about 12-18″ deep every 3-5 days.
  2. Vegetables you will want to water daily about 12 inches deep.
  3. New trees you will want to water weekly about 3 feet deep (except palms)
  4. Bulbs, vines, bushes you will want to water every 3-5 days about 24″ deep

Take these key tips and implement them into your summer garden to have a thriving and delicious resource of food. To learn more and get some amazing free guides check out Agriscaping Green Thumb Thursday at https://agriscaping.kartra.com/page/greenthumbthursday