Skip to main content

Gardening Lesson Day 1:

 

Plant Now, Panic Later Tucson Gardening Club

Day 1: Gardening Basics for Tucson

Know Your Climate

USDA Hardiness Zone: 9a

Tucson's warm climate and mild winters allow us to grow a wide variety of plants, including:

  • Sonoran Desert natives

  • Citrus trees

  • Vegetables

  • Herbs

  • Flowers

Unlike many parts of the country, Tucson has multiple growing seasons throughout the year. Always refer to a Tucson planting guide when deciding what to plant and when.

A helpful planting guide can be found here: Southern Arizona Community Food Bank Planting Guide

Watering Basics

Water is Life

In Tucson's heat, plants can dry out very quickly.

  • Newly planted seeds and seedlings often need water daily.

  • Container gardens may require watering every day during hot weather.

  • Check soil moisture regularly before watering established plants.

Tip: Stick your finger 1–2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water.

Understanding Tucson Soil

Tucson Soil is Hydrophobic

"Hydrophobic" means water-repelling.

Because Tucson experiences extreme heat and long periods without rain, the soil can become so dry that it struggles to absorb water. Instead of soaking in, water may run off the surface.

Caliche Hardpan

Many Tucson yards contain a layer called caliche.

Caliche is a hard, concrete-like layer of calcium carbonate that:

  • Restricts root growth

  • Prevents proper drainage

  • Makes gardening more difficult

Why I Recommend Container Gardening

Native desert soil often:

  • Lacks organic matter

  • Has limited nutrients

  • Contains caliche

  • Dries out quickly

Container gardening allows you to:

  • Control soil quality

  • Improve water retention

  • Grow healthier plants with less frustration

Choosing Soil

Garden soil matters!

I recommend:

Kellogg Organic Raised Bed & Potting Mix

Benefits:

  • Affordable

  • Widely available

  • Contains compost and organic materials

  • Works well for vegetables, herbs, and flowers


Approximate cost:

  • About $10 for a 2-cubic-foot bag

My Organic Gardening Philosophy

I garden organically.

That means:

✅ Feeding the soil with compost and organic matter

✅ Building healthy soil biology

✅ Avoiding synthetic fertilizers

✅ Avoiding pesticides

✅ Using natural pest management

Natural Pest Control

Instead of spraying chemicals, I attract beneficial insects and wildlife that help control pests:

THE ANIMALS BELOW ARE YOUR FRIENDS-PLEASE DO NOT KILL THEM. -THEY BENEFIT YOUR GARDEN. 

  • Ladybugs

  • Lacewings

  • Praying mantis

  • Birds

  • Native pollinators such as bees. 

  • Lizards

  • Toads

  • Garden Spiders

  • Wasps

DON’T KILL YOUR NATURAL PREDATORS! Spiders, praying mantis, bees, and wasps are highly beneficial for the garden and are considered garden helpers: don’t kill them even if you don’t like them. They eat the pests that eat your plants. 

Build a Microclimate

Healthy soil + healthy insects + proper watering = healthier plants.

Today's Goal

Start small.

A single healthy basil plant can teach you:

  • Watering

  • Soil management

  • Sun exposure

  • Plant care

Every expert gardener started with one plant.

Planting basil in your garden is an excellent way to naturally manage pests and improve the health of your crops. It acts as a superb companion plant for vegetables like tomatoes and peppers by attracting pollinators and repelling harmful insects like aphids, mosquitoes, and flies.

Improved Flavor & Companion Planting: When planted near tomatoes, basil is famous for enhancing the flavor of the fruit while acting as a natural shield against the destructive tomato hornworm.

Pest Repellent: The strong, fragrant oils in basil act as a natural deterrent for garden pests, including aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and mosquitoes. 

Attracts Pollinators: Allowing a few basil plants to flower draws bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why Own Chickens?

         Owning chickens can bring a variety of benefits to individuals and families. One of the main benefits is the ability to have a steady supply of fresh eggs . Chickens are known for their egg-laying capabilities, and owning a few chickens can provide a family with a steady supply of eggs for breakfast, baking, and other culinary uses. Eggs from backyard chickens are often more nutritious than store-bought eggs, as the chickens are able to forage for their own food, which can include a variety of insects and greens.  Another benefit of owning chickens is that they can be a great source of entertainment and companionship . Chickens are social animals and can be quite affectionate with their owners. Many people find that spending time with chickens is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Chickens can also be an excellent educational opportunity for children , as they can learn about the life cycle of chickens and the responsibilities of caring for the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Backyard chicken eggs are BETTER than store bought. Here's Why:

Backyard chicken eggs are often considered better than store-bought eggs for a few reasons: Freshness: Backyard chickens lay eggs daily, and eggs that are collected and used immediately are fresher than eggs that have been transported and stored for an extended period of time. Nutritional Value: Backyard chickens are often fed a varied diet that includes greens, insects, and other natural sources of nutrition. This can lead to eggs that are higher in nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Taste: Many people find that backyard eggs have a better taste and texture than store-bought eggs. This is because backyard chickens are allowed to forage for their food and therefore their eggs have a more natural taste. Animal welfare: Backyard chickens are often kept in humane conditions and are able to move around freely and engage in natural behaviors. In contrast, commercial egg-laying chickens are typically kept in crowded conditions with limited space to move around and...
Post a Comment
Read more