Many fruits and vegetables grow well in Arizona.
Many people picture a desert when they think of Arizona. The truth is that Arizona offers a wide variety of environments, many of which are quite suitable for growing fruits and vegetables. Because the state gets nearly no frost, the passionate gardener can grow edible plants nearly year-round, with the best seasons being winter and spring. The main disadvantages to gardening in Arizona are high summer temperatures and sandy, high-alkaline soil. Even with that difficulty, Arizona ranks second in the United States for its production of honeydew melon, broccoli, lettuce, lemon, cantaloupe and cauliflower.
Instructions
1. Determine the best location for your garden. Pick an area that receives both sunlight and shade, which will allow different plants to get suitable amounts of light.
2. Put on work gloves or gardening gloves. Using the shovel, dig up and turn the soil throughout the garden area. Dig down about 2 feet to break up the dirt so root systems have free movement for growth. Use a pick ax to remove any calcium carbonate layers from your dirt to allow good drainage.
3. Fertilize the soil. Lay this mixture about 3 inches deep evenly throughout the garden. Mix it into the loosened soil.
4. Choose your fruits and vegetables; there are many that grow successfully in Arizona. The fruit list includes passion fruit, star fruit, lychee, melons and citrus. For vegetables there's tomatoes, peppers, okra, onions, radishes, squash, lettuce, cucumbers and beans.
The overall weather in Arizona varies throughout the State. Consult a hardiness map. This way you'll be able to pick plants specifically suitable in, and sustainable for, your region.
5. Consult the instructions on each package of seeds or in each seedling container. If you've chosen fruiting trees, put them in a location where they offer shade to other fruits and vegetables that need it. Put each seed or plant down into the soil per the planting instructions; for seeds, the general rule is twice the diameter of the whole seed. Leave enough room between both seeds and seedlings so you can transplant them later if necessary.
6. Tend the garden. Water the plants as needed. Typically your fruits and vegetables require twice-weekly waterings if you're growing during winter and spring. Keep the soil free of weeds and watch for signs of pests.
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