Organic Gardening

      After spending nearly most of my life in hot dry climate, and working with the soil locally, I have come to know just how to prepare the dry soil to produce a healthy and thriving garden. I am sharing some recommendations in this page to help people, who live in the southwestern area, select the best possible site upon their property to have a successful garden. Some of which are:
        • Site must be exposed to full sun or nearly full sun. A Southern exposure is the best for a garden to get 6 hours minimum of full sunlight to be successful.

        • Plant rows in a north and south line for early sun.

        • Protect plants after 1pm in the summer with shade cloth.

        • Use stable walkways like walking stones to avoid walking directly upon the garden soil.

        • Arizona soil often times contains caliche, so it is recommended to make a raised bed above it.

        Things to avoid

        • Low areas to avoid pooling of water

        • Steep slopes so water has time to seep in before running off.

        • Shaded areas, as the plants require at least 6 hours of full or partial sunlight.

        • Near trees due to the problem with tree roots interfering with turning soil.

        • Next to streets due to automobile fumes.

        • Treated wood

        • Leaving soil bare of plants for longer then 30 days

        • Stepping directly on planting areas.

        Once you have selected an area to install your garden, I have step by step instructions to follow to insure a good healthy garden to begin with. The steps are as follows

        1. Wet soil for easy digging.
        2. Rototil or dig the soil manually about 10-12 inches deep. 
        3. Add following ingredients to enrich the soil per 10 x 10 foot area.
     - 8 bags steer manure (composted)
     - 3 pounds soil sulfur
     - 3 pounds rock phosphate 
     - 2-3 inches of compost twice a year

        4. Work amendments into the soil with a rototiller for best results.

        5. Line the edge of your garden with ½ inch fencing at least 8 inches below soil line to keep the rodents from burrowing into your garden.
        6. Protect the plants from pesky fowl by enclosing it within a fenced enclosure using ½ inch aviary wire.
        7. Wait 1 week before setting pre-grown plants out.
        8. Wait 3-4 weeks after soil preparation before planting seeds.
        9. Border the garden with French Marigolds.
        10. Interplant Basil, Tansy, and Borage.
        11. Put Organic matter into the top 6" of soil. Don't go any deeper.
        12. Never add fresh manure directly into an already established garden unless it is worked in at least 4 weeks before planting.

    If you have questions you would like to ask, please feel free to me. I will respond with an answer either same day, or within a day of receiving the question.

      This page was created and developed by Debra Davidson. Should you have any questions or comments regarding the development of the page page itself, please contact me at tril1@hotmail.com.