PHOENIX- When it comes to gardening, especially in the summer heat of Arizona, it can get difficult to grow beautiful plant babies.
Most plants can’t survive the stress of high temperatures or low humidity so picking the right vegetables and planting them at the right time is a key factor in this Arizona heat.
A local organic master gardener, Angela Judd, shares her insight and skill about gardening in Arizona on her blog. If you ever need any advice on your beautiful, green babies, check it out!
“It’s too hot for most vegetables in the hottest months of the summer.With intense heat, long days, and nights that don’t cool off, many plants go into summer dormancy. They focus on staying alive rather than growing. Pollen in pepper and tomato plants may not be viable when temperatures are over 100 degrees. “
Judd said some other plants that can survive in the Arizona summer heat are:
- Okra
- Sweet potatoes
- Asparagus beans
- Malabar spinach
- Sunflowers
- Zinnias
Judd said it’s important to keep in mind what you’re planting and when. She advises to follow a planting guide meant for your specific area because the guide’s planting recommendations tell you exactly what to plant each month.
“Just because something is available at the local big box or nursery, doesn’t mean it is the correct time to add it to your garden.” Judd said.
The most important part about growing a summer vegetable garden in Arizona is watering. Judd said majority of garden problems lead back to watering issues.
Judd added that mulching your vegetable garden is another key factor. It helps to insulate the soil, keep the temperature more even and allows slow evaporation, giving your plants access to more water.
Another useful tip for a successful garden during summer is providing your plants with shade. The sun’s intense heat rays are too much for most plants to survive. Shades like cloths, vining vegetables or sunflowers can all be used as a shade cover especially for newly planted plants.
Adding sunflowers to a garden not only creates a patch of color and sunshine but it can provide the shade we talked about earlier. Since the flowers grow vertically quickly, they tower over other plants.
Proper watering is another key factor in good garden. It’s about finding the right balance of water at the perfect time of day. The preferred method of watering is drip or soaker irrigation because if water droplets are left on plants or leaves, it can burn through sunlight concentration.
Mulching helps plants last throughout the hot summer heat. Mulch isolates the soil and keep the temperatures steady, as well as slows evaporation of water.
