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This week, Prescott Mountain Gardener Ken Lane shares the inside scoop on local gardening: What not to do when gardening? What is the best month to start a garden? How do I start a vegetable patch? How can I garden successfully?
Many of us have gardened in climates blessed with fertile soil, perfect pH balance, steady rainfall, gentle sunshine, and humidity to pamper our plants. If you've ever dug a hole in the ground, you know that gardening in the mountains is the exact opposite of those ideal conditions.
There is only so much I can say here, but enough to paint a complete picture of gardening in the mountains: The USDA Garden Zone for this area is 7, with clear Zone 8 influences, meaning the region is mild, but has harsh winters with temperatures sometimes dropping below freezing.
Never underestimate the sun, wind, and dry air in Arizona. They have a huge influence in determining which plants will grow well in our landscape and which will not. The soil in this area is typically heavy clay with very little organic matter. Therefore, soil preparation for planting is very important. The soil needs organic mulch to retain moisture in granite soils or to keep clay soils from compacting. Our soils are alkaline and usually do not require the addition of lime or wood ash which would further increase the already high pH value.
When choosing plants, look for ones with thick, leathery leaves so the plant can retain excess moisture and is less likely to tear during heavy rainstorms in your area. It can be helpful to consult with a horticulture professional who has some experience with your local plants. This can save you a lot of time, energy, and money in planting your garden. Check out Top10Plants.com.
Mild winter temperatures provide the chill necessary for the deciduous fruit trees and perennials that thrive in this region. The list includes apples, peaches, cherries, grapes and berries. To learn more, get your free copy of my new fruit tree book. The climate is also favorable for flowering deciduous shrubs such as lilacs, forsythia, hardy camellias, rose of Sharon, butterfly bush and Russian sage. The country's most attractive roses thrive without constant need for tedious care. Low humidity and mild winters mean that mountain roses are less susceptible to insects, mildew and black spot.
The climate is so mild that you can garden and work on your landscape design all year round. The average date for spring frost is Mother's Day. However, because spring is so mild, cool-season gardens can be planted as early as March 1. A variety of vegetables can be planted, including lettuce, spinach, broccoli, potatoes, onions, and radishes.
The first frost will occur around Halloween, depending on the elevation of your garden, but your garden will remain in great condition through Thanksgiving, so the frost-free growing season in our area averages about 150 days.
As the area is surrounded by national forest, mammals can be an issue. Javelinas, deer, antelope, rabbits, squirrels and gophers can all rip through parts of your carefully planned garden. It is essential to carefully choose the plants you plant in your garden. This is another case where expert advice can avoid a lot of headaches and costly mistakes. Physical fencing can be very effective. I use low voltage electric wire to keep rabbits and javelinas from destroying my garden. Electric fences should be turned on in the middle of the night when predatory animals are active. By only turning it on at night, you eliminate the shock effects on your two and four legged family members.
Bitter-tasting or strongly scented animal repellents work well when sprayed on new plant shoots. These bitter-tasting, strongly scented sprays need to be reapplied to remain effective even after the plants start to sprout. Again, it's best to ask for help from local gardeners. Garden here for more than a season and you'll quickly find locals who have either given up because of the animals or have found ways to coexist with them. There are several printed handouts available that explain plants that animals won't eat. Pick one up the next time you visit Watters Garden Center.
Free summer garden classes at Watters Garden Center
The free garden classes will be held every Saturday in June at 9:30 a.m. at Watters Garden Center, 1815 Iron Springs Rd. in Prescott.
June 29th – Gardening for Beginners
New to Arizona or new to gardening? This class is an introductory gardening class for anyone looking to become a novice gardener or gardener. Learn garden zones, frost dates, best practices, and more. After taking this class, you'll be a gardening pro!
July 13th – Healing a sick plant
This class will give you knowledge about water, diseases and pests that will immediately make a difference in your garden. Your plants will love you!
July 20th – Living walls and privacy barriers
Discover the fastest growing plants for quick privacy, blocking out unsightly neighbors, enhancing the view, and reducing noise and light pollution. Special situations can be handled by our design experts.
July 27 – Top 10 Trees for Fresh Fruit
This class will introduce you to the strongest fruit trees and inside secrets for producing large yields of apples, pears, cherries, apricots, plums, peaches, etc. Special emphasis will be placed on cocktail trees and how to plant them successfully.
Until next issue, I'll be helping new mountain gardeners here at Watters Garden Center.
This article was written by Ken Lain, who is on-site throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd. in Prescott, or can be contacted through his websites, WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.
Check out more gardening tips from Watters Garden Center in the Mountain Gardener column on Signals A Z.com.
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