Ultima actualizare în noiembrie 6, 2023

The Arizona desert is a challenging environment for gardening, but it is not impossible.

With the right knowledge, planning, and plant selection, you can create a beautiful and productive garden that thrives in the hot and dry conditions.

Deșertul Arizona
Deșertul Arizona. Photo by Gregory Whitcoe on Pexels.com

When is the best time to plant vegetables in the desert of Arizona?

Timing is key for growing vegetables in the desert. You need to plant your crops at the right time of the year, depending on the type of vegetable and the climate zone you live in.

Deșertul Arizona are două sezoane principale de creștere: primavara si toamna.

Acestea sunt perioadele în care temperaturile sunt blânde și riscul de îngheț este scăzut.

Vara și iarna sunt de obicei prea calde sau prea reci pentru majoritatea legumelor, cu excepția unor soiuri rezistente la căldură sau rezistente la frig.

According to the Arizona Vegetable Planting Guide, the best time to plant vegetables in the low desert of Arizona (below 3500 ft elevation, such as Phoenix and Tucson) is as follows:

  • Spring season: from January to March, you can plant cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, brocoli, cabbage, morcovi, sfecla, peas, ridichi, and onions. From February to April, you can plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, ardei, vinete, cucumbers, suc de fructe, pepeni, fasole, and corn.
  • Fall season: from July to September, you can plant cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, brocoli, cabbage, morcovi, sfecla, peas, ridichi, and onions. From August to October, you can plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, ardei, vinete, cucumbers, suc de fructe, pepeni, fasole, and corn.

The best time to plant vegetables in the high desert of Arizona (de mai sus 3500 ft elevation, such as Flagstaff and Prescott) is as follows:

  • Spring season: from March to May, you can plant cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, brocoli, cabbage, morcovi, sfecla, peas, ridichi, and onions. From May to June, you can plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, ardei, vinete, cucumbers, suc de fructe, pepeni, fasole, and corn.
  • Fall season: from August to September, you can plant cool-season crops such as lettuce, spinach, brocoli, cabbage, morcovi, sfecla, peas, ridichi, and onions. From September to October, you can plant warm-season crops such as tomatoes, ardei, vinete, cucumbers, suc de fructe, pepeni, fasole, and corn.

Where to find the plant “desert sage” in the wild of Arizona?

Desert sage (Salvia dorrii) is a native plant of the Great Basin and Mojave Deserts of the American Southwest. It is a small shrub with showy blue flowers and purple bracts that bloom from mid-summer to mid-fall.

It grows in dry, stâncos, and sandy soils, and can tolerate drought, căldură, and cold. It is a popular plant for landscaping, as it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and has a pleasant fragrance.

Desert sage can be found in the wild in several locations in Arizona, especially in the western and northern parts of the state.

Some of the places where you can see desert sage in its natural habitat are:

  • Zona Națională de Recreere Lake Mead: This area covers parts of Arizona and Nevada, and includes the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and Lake Mohave. You can find desert sage along the shores of the lakes, as well as in the surrounding hills and mountains.
  • Parcul Național Grand Canyon: This park is one of the most famous and visited natural wonders in the world, and covers parts of Arizona and Nevada. You can find desert sage in the lower elevations of the canyon, especially on the south rim and the west end.
  • Parcul Național Joshua Tree: This park is located in California, but borders Arizona on the east. It is known for its unique and diverse landscape, which includes the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, and the Joshua Tree forest. You can find desert sage in the Mojave Desert section of the park, along with other desert plants such as cacti, yucca, and creosote bush.
  • Parcul Național Saguaro: This park is located in southern Arizona, and protects the largest concentration of saguaro cacti in the world. It is divided into two districts: the Rincon Mountain District and the Tucson Mountain District. You can find desert sage in both districts, along with other desert plants such as palo verde, ocotillo, and cholla.

Plante și copaci în Phoenix, Arizona
Plante și copaci în Phoenix, Arizona

What kind of oak tree can you plant in Arizona low desert?

Oak trees are not very common in the low desert of Arizona, as they prefer cooler and moister climates.

in orice caz, there are some species of oak that can adapt to the hot and dry conditions of the desert, și oferă umbră, frumuseţe, and wildlife habitat.

Some of the best oak trees to plant in the low desert of Arizona are:

  • Arizona white oak (Quercus arizonica): This is a native oak of Arizona, and can grow up to 50 feet tall and wide. It has dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and produces acorns that attract birds and squirrels. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in full sun or partial shade. It is also resistant to oak wilt, a fungal disease that affects many oaks.
  • Canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis): This is a native oak of the western United States, and can grow up to 60 feet tall and wide. It has evergreen leaves that are glossy and dark green on top, and fuzzy and silver on the bottom. It produces acorns that attract birds and mammals. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in full sun or partial shade. It is also resistant to oak wilt and fire.
  • Netleaf oak (Quercus rugosa): This is a native oak of Mexico and Central America, and can grow up to 40 feet tall and wide. It has semi-evergreen leaves that are wrinkled and dark green on top, and hairy and light green on the bottom. It produces acorns that attract birds and mammals. It is drought-tolerant and can grow in full sun or partial shade. It is also resistant to oak wilt and pests.

Where to plant Bartlett pear tree in Arizona desert?

Bartlett pear (Pyrus communis ‘Bartlett’) is one of the most popular and widely grown pear varieties in the world.

It produces large, juicy, and sweet pears that are excellent for fresh eating, canning, and baking.

It is also a self-pollinating tree, which means it does not need another pear tree nearby to produce fruit.

Bartlett pear can grow well in the Arizona desert, as long as it is planted in the right location and given the proper care.

Some of the tips for planting Bartlett pear tree in the Arizona desert are:

Choose a site that has full sun, good drainage, and protection from strong winds.

Avoid planting near sidewalks, driveways, or foundations, as the roots can cause damage.

Also avoid planting near walnut trees, as they can release a chemical that inhibits the growth of pear trees.

Plant the tree in late winter or early spring, when the soil is workable and the risk of frost is low.

Dig a hole that is twice as wide and as deep as the root ball of the tree.

Loosen the soil at the bottom and sides of the hole, and mix some organic matter such as compost or manure with the native soil.

Place the tree in the center of the hole, and make sure the graft union (the point where the rootstock and the scion are joined) is above the soil level.

Fill the hole with the soil mixture, and tamp it down firmly.

Water the tree thoroughly, and add a layer of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and prevent weeds.

Water the tree regularly, especially during the first year and the hot and dry months.

The frequency and amount of water will depend on the soil type, weather, and age of the tree. A general rule is to water deeply and infrequently, and check the soil moisture before watering.

The soil should be moist but not soggy at a depth of 6 la 12 inci. Avoid overwatering or underwatering, as both can cause stress and reduce fruit quality and quantity.

Fertilize the tree once a year, in early spring, before the buds break.

Use a balanced fertilizer that is formulated for fruit trees, and follow the label instructions for the rate and method of application.

Do not fertilize after mid-summer, as this can stimulate new growth that is susceptible to frost damage.

Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote excessive vegetative growth and reduce fruit production.

Prune the tree annually, in late winter or early spring, before the buds swell.

The main goals of pruning are to remove dead, diseased, or damaged branches, to thin out crowded or crossing branches, to open up the canopy for light and air circulation, and to shape the tree for better fruiting and appearance.

Use sharp and clean pruning tools, and make clean and smooth cuts.

Do not remove more than 25% of the tree’s canopy in one year, as this can stress the tree and reduce its vigor.

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