Here are a few suggestions about using this site if you are new to gardening in the low elevation of  the arid southwest. Hint: you may want to forget much of what you know about gardening – things are quite different in the desert or arid climatic area, for example:

• Roses look their best in March and October.
• Tomato blossoms may fall of when temperatures reach 90 degrees.
• Gardenias and Azaleas often fail in our alkaline soils.
• Spring bulbs such as Dutch Tulips and Hyacinths rarely get the chilling they need.

If this is your first year in the desert, you may be wondering what to expect in different months. For a listing of monthly gardening tips, see our searchable listing.

The key differences in the arid southwest and other locations relate to weather, water, soil, and plant types.

Soil – soils are generally alkaline and low in organic matter. Plants that like acid soils should be grown in large containers and may benefit from soil sulfur applications and all but native plants may benefit from additional organic matter (which need to be repeated early). Native plants can survive in native soils (and during transplanting do not need special treatment or soil amendments). Vegetables and bedding plants benefit from special planting bed preparation.

Plant Types – elevation and temperature alters the choice of plants. Low-water-consumption plant lists are available as well as plant care.

 
Additional information for those who are new to gardening in the desert can be found at:

Boyce Thompson Arboretum (Superior)
Desert Botanical Garden (Phoenix)
Tohono Chul Park (Tucson)
Tucson Botanical Garden (Tucson)

Books*

Desert Gardening for Beginners: How to grow vegetables, flowers, and herbs in an arid climate, by C. Cromwell, L.A. Guy and L.K. Bradley.
Desert Gardening: Fruits and vegetables, by G. Brookbank.
Desert Landscaping for Beginners, by Arizona Master Gardeners.
Low Water Use Plants for California and the Southwest, by Carol Shuler
Landscape Plants for Dry Regions, by Warren D. Jones and Charles Sacamano
Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes, by Judy Mielke
Plants for Dry Climates, by Mary Rose Duffield and Warren Jones
Pruning, Planting, and Care, by by Eric A. Johnson, Scott Millard (Editor), Don Fox
Western Garden Book by Sunset Editions, Kathleen N. Brenzel
Sunset Western Garden Problem Solver
Sunset Western Landscaping Book, by Fiona Gilsenan (Editor), Kathleen Norris Brenzel
Western Garden Book by Sunset Editions, Kathleen N. Brenzel

 

*These choices are widely available from commercial sources and were selected for their appeal to a general audience. Many more are available. Exclusions or inclusions of materials does not imply endorsement.