Why plant a garden?We are commanded to!
There are always blessings associated with being obedient.
Just like all of Heavenly Fathers Commandments, you don’t really understand all benefits until you understand and practice the principle.
There are some obvious, superficial, might I say terrestrial benefits?
Obedience? Self-sufficiency? Teaching kids to work? Word of wisdom/food issues
There are many, many reasons I can think of, but it comes down to The Lord Commanded It.
1 Nephi 3:7 – What does it say?
President Faust commented :
. . . some of the healing agents that our parents enjoyed seem not to be at work in our lives. Fewer and fewer are able to relieve stress by working with their hands and by tilling the soil. James E. Faust, “He Healeth the Broken in Heart,” Ensign, July 2005, 2
Our first home as humans was in a garden. Adam was taught to tend the garden.
The Savior sought refuge in a garden, and atoned for our sins there.
“Everything is spiritual, and at no time have I given you a temporal commandment.” D&C 29:34
Spiritual Creations. Plants, and the earth are spiritual. They were called good, and they are celestial because they live after the fulfill the measure of their creation.
They obey the law that they were given, to reproduce after their own kind.
The Lord in His wisdom wants us to know how to grow and take care of plants.
There is something here in this truth for those who look for it.
I cannot tell you, nor give it to you. You have to find it and learn about it for yourself.
Rain Bow Prophecy. – “ The Teachings of Joseph Smith” page 532
Return Rate ? 1 Dollar in the bank – 10 cents in one year.
One seed in the ground - 20-24 Wheat / Corn 150 - 200
Pray over your crops / Nephi Pray over everything.
Tithing Promise – Crops Cast fruit before time .. . . .
Just like life, there are spiritual blessing and knowledge and earthly blessings and knowledge.
I hope what I have said has stirred within you and you have recognized that gardening is a true principle.Gilbert is officially at 1236 feet above sea level.
Mesa is 1241, Chandler 1214, Tempe 1140, Phoenix 1117
1000 feet elevation and below, and in the warmer areas of the Phoenix metropolitan area, corresponds to USDA zone 10, and the warmest areas of Sunset National Garden zone 13.
1000 to 2000 feet elevation, corresponds to USDA zone 9b, Sunset National Garden zone 13
There are two main growing seasons in Phoenix:
Mid February until the end of May (105Days), and from September to mid November (75Days). Nation-wide calendars, the backs of seed packets, do not match our area.
Three Summer Months June, July, August Its Hot! Hot! Hot!
Seeds / Transplants
Hybrids / Heirlooms
Sow the seeds, board over to help keep in moisture, thin with scissors,
Don’t pull – disturbs the new roots of neighboring plants.
Area Spacing - Thin and position Transplants to recommended spacing.
Composting – BLACK GOLD – Just Do It
Kitchen Scraps – NO FATS, BONES, MEAT, EGGS (Animal Protein) egg shells are OK, Citrus Peels in moderation Acidic and poisonous to bugs. Watch out for highly fibrous plant waste – Palm Fronds,
Newspapers OK Banana Peels OK.
80% Brown (Carbon Fuel) and 20% Green (Nitrogen Rich)
Dirt Preparation
Mostly have Clay Soil. Add compost to it. Mix.
Double Dig.
Manure
Rototiller – go slowly – otherwise you’ll turn the upper layers to powder and pound and compact the lower layers.
If you are starting with an area that has not been used for gardening, loosen it with a rototiller (Spading would work but it could be a pretty tough job). If it isn't too late, it helps to wet it in a few days before tilling it. Then till in 2 - 4 inches of organic compost. Add soil sulfur per recommendations on the bag. Most warm season vegetables are fruiting types that benefit from a phosphorus fertilizer so it is a good idea to rake in ammonium phosphate, or bone meal if you want to stay with organics. Then flood the area and leave it alone to let it dry out before planting.
Micro Climates
A local area that differs from the surrounding area. Could be a few square feet, or a few square miles.
Fertilization
Blood Meal – Good OrganicFish Emulsion – has an odor but the plants love it.
Commercial Products
Iron / Minerals – Chlirosis - Leaves turning yellow with green veins.
Apply fertilizers carefully. Too much fertilizer can cause salt burn and too little can cause nutrient deficiency problems. Be sure to water both the day before and immediately after applying granular fertilizers. Only apply fertilizers when plants are actively growing other wise it will be washed away before they can use it.
Three number system – N-P-K Percentage by Weight
nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium
Leafs – Roots / Flowers -
Nitrogen provides plants with the ability to produce more chlorophyll, which in turn allows plants to grow quickly. With each additional nitrogen application, plants will grow taller and develop a darker green color. So if you want a dark green lawn, use a fertilizer that’s high in nitrogen – but then expect to mow more often.
Plants that are deficient in nitrogen may start turning light green or yellow
Phosphorous aids in root development and increases flowering ability and bloom size. The fertilizer industry smartly markets high phosphorus fertilizer as “Bloom Booster.” High-phosphorous fertilizer should be used when plants are being established in your garden – when sowing a new lawn or planting new trees and shrubs, for instance.
Purple foliage (on an otherwise green plant) is a telltale sign of phosphorus deficiency.
Potassium has many functions: It guards the plant against diseases and aids in drought protection and cold tolerance. It also serves a role in improving root development and helps in the process of photosynthesis. You might consider using a high-potassium fertilizer at the start of winter and summer to protect crops from temperature extremes or when insects and disease have caused damage to your plants.
Container / Pot Gardening
Great for Patios / Attractive
Needs more water better drainage
Heat effects on roots
Raised Beds / Square Foot Gardening
Make it easy – bending down – reaching.
Walking on Dirt Compacts around roots
Harder to roto-till
Watering
Depends on Exposure
Trees in lawns don’t get enough water
Lawns steal the fertilizer for the trees.
Spray, drip, rainbird, …
Bees / Bugs / Birds
Bug spray kills bees and butterflies
Bees are in-danger
Soap Water spray works well – 2-3 drops liquid dish soap to quart of water.
Hard Spray to knock off the bugs.
Mechanical removal.
Special Notes for some Plants:
Carrots and other root vegetables, need loose soft dirt – or choose short stubby varieties; or make good planting areas, well amended soil.
Corn – Delicious, but requires large area, not rows, but square/rectangle planting area to ensure pollonization and kernel production
Zucchini and Melons love, the heat and SUN – but also need water.
Tomatoes / Peppers can be grown for many years – protect them from frost.
Problem with soil pests – rotate crops.
Artichokes can be a landscape plant, and grow many years.
Akemi’s Roses and Strawberries.
Fruit Trees – Due to mild winters, select varieties that need less than 400 Hours of chill
Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, Squash
JanuaryThe only real winter month in Phoenix.
DO NOT prune frost sensitive plants, especially if they have been damaged by frost.- Spray dormant shrubs.- Last chance to plant bare roots trees.- Prune deciduous fruit trees.- Monitor freeze warnings
Prepare garden soil for Spring planting.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beets, Bok Choy, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Lettuce, Leek, Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips
Transplants: Artichokes (Globe & Jerusalem), Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Strawberries
Fruit and Nut Trees
Prune deciduous fruit trees and grapes.
Transplant bare root deciduous fruit trees. Select varieties which require less than 400 hours of chilling.
FebruaryPossible frosts until mid February. The growing season starts then in Phoenix. Since the growing season is so short, don't lose time. We need to give as much time as possible to plants and trees to grow before the punishing summer heat.- Weed prevention with pre-emergence herbicide.- Complete deciduous tree pruning.- Start spring planting.After the 15:- Start fertilizing: use a calendar to keep track of your fertilization program.- Start planting frost tender plants.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beets, Bok Choy, Bush Beans, Carrots, Chard, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Leaf Lettuce, eggplant, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon, Watermelon), Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Summer Squash, Sunflowers, Tomatoes, Turnips
Transplants: Artichokes (Globe & Jerusalem), Asparagus, Chard, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Onion Sets, Peppers, Tomatoes
Fruit and Nut Trees
Finish pruning deciduous fruit trees and grapes by the middle of the month.
Transplant bare root deciduous fruit trees. Select varieties which require less than 400 hours of chilling.
Fertilize deciduous fruit trees with nitrogen when they leaf out.
Prune frost sensitive citrus after it begins to leaf out with new spring growth.
March- Weed prevention: weeds are starting to grow fast, that's when they are easier to control.- Keep on with spring planting.- Start planting for summer.- Check your watering system, everything needs more water.- Fertilize
Prepare garden soil for Spring planting.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beans (lima and snap), bush beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, jicama, melons (cantaloupe, muskmelon, watermelon), okra, green onions, peanuts, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, summer squash, tomatoes, winter squash.
Transplants: Artichokes (globe and Jerusalem), eggplant, peppers and tomatoes.
Fruit and Nut Trees:
Fertilize deciduous fruit trees with nitrogen when they leaf out.
Thin deciduous fruit to 6 inch spacing. The earlier this is done after fruit set, the more size response will be expected in fruit remaining on the tree.
Prune frost sensitive citrus until mid March, after they begin to leaf out with new spring growth.
Wait until all chance of frost has past but allow time for re-growth to shade exposed bark,
protecting it from sun scald as the days get longer and hotter.
Plant Citrus Trees - Young two to five year old trees transplant most successfully. Larger, older trees are more costly, harder to transplant without injury (to yourself and the tree), and suffer more from transplant shock. It will generally be three years after transplant before fruit production and that is the same whether you plant a 2 year old tree or a 10 year old tree. Go small!
April
Weeding: April and May are the worst months. If you have done your homework in winter, you should be all right, else do your best and plan for more prevention next year.
Planting: Except for bedding plants, your summer planting should be finished now: summer really starts in May in Phoenix, so it is your very last chance. It is the best month for tropical plants like Bougainvillea, Lantana, Citrus, etc.
Citrus: Check that all the trunk parts of citrus and young trees that are exposed to the sun are painted white. This keeps them cooler and protects them from sunburn. Use white latex paint diluted with water (1 volume white flat latex paint for 1 volume water)
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beans (Lima & Snap), Black eyed Peas, Carrots, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Jicama, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon), Okra, Green Onions, Peanuts, peppers, Radishes, Summer Squash, Pumpkin, Winter Squash.
Transplants: Jerusalem Artichokes
Fruit and Nut Trees
Plant Citrus Trees - Young two to five year old trees transplant most successfully. Larger, older trees are more costly, harder to transplant without injury (to yourself and the tree), and suffer more from transplant shock. It will generally be three years after transplant before fruit production and that is the same whether you plant a 2 year old tree or a 10 year old tree. Go small!
Thin deciduous fruit to 6 inch spacing. The earlier this is done after fruit set, the more size response will be expected in fruit remaining on the tree.
Give special attention to deciduous fruit trees, provide adequate soil moisture for fruit sizing in the late April and May period.
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.
May
Weeding: summer is coming, bermuda grass is actively invading flower beds.
Stick to your fertilizing program. It is a good time to use acid fertilizer with plants needing it. Check plants for chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves).
Thin fruits, to increase their quality and prevent them from dropping as the heat sets in.
Mulch wherever the sun is shining directly on the dirt to keep the roots cool.
Check your potted plants, except for the toughest most resistant, they might need to be watered twice a day. Keep the pot out of direct sunlight to avoid cooking the roots.
Maintenance and cleanup: Check your drip watering system for the coming summer heat. Verify the ground humidity around all plants. Check your drippers every other day to see if any popped out now that heat is making the hoses softer.
Replace bedding plants like petunias that won't take the heat.
Finish the cleanup of last winter frost damage.
Citrus: Check that all the trunk parts of citrus and young trees that are exposed to the sun are painted white. This keeps them cooler and protects them from sunburn. Use white latex paint diluted with water (1 volume white flat latex paint for 1 volume water).
Vegetables:
Seeds: Black eyed Peas, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon), Okra,
Transplants: Jerusalem Artichokes, Sweet Potatoes
Place shade cloth over tomatoes.
Plant cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash.
Fruit and Nut Trees:
Plant Citrus Trees - Young two to five year old trees transplant most successfully. Larger, older trees are more costly, harder to transplant without injury (to yourself and the tree), and suffer more from transplant shock. It will generally be three years after transplant before fruit production and that is the same whether you plant a 2 year old tree or a 10 year old tree. Go small!
Pick early-maturing deciduous fruit varieties, which are particularly prone to bird damage, before full maturity. Ripened at room temperature to lessen the bird peck loss.
Cover fruit trees to protect from birds
Give special attention to watering deciduous fruit trees, provide adequate soil moisture for fruit sizing in the late April and May period.
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.
June
A hard month for young plants, it is very hot and very dry. Concentrate on helping your plants survive.
Stick to your fertilizing program.
Check that all the trunk parts of citrus and young trees that are exposed to the sun are painted white. This keeps them cooler and protects them from sunburn. Use white latex paint diluted with water (1 volume white flat latex paint for 1 volume water).
Cut your grass higher (2 to 3 inches) to decrease the water use.
Check your drip watering system. Verify the ground humidity around all plants. Check your drippers every other day to see if any popped out now that heat is making the hoses softer.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Armenian Cucumbers, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon),
Transplants: Sweet Potatoes
Plant pumpkin, winter squash.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Pick early-maturing deciduous fruit varieties, which are particularly prone to bird damage, before full maturity. Ripened at room temperature to lessen the bird peck loss.
Cover fruit trees with netting to protect from birds
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.
JulyEven hotter than June until the monsoon arrives. Humidity starts arriving from the gulf of California. Gardening is almost at a standstill. - Stick to your fertilizing program- Check all your plants on a regular basis to see if they get enough water. It is good to check the drippers every 2 weeks to see if they are not clogged. Deep water your trees (irrigation is great).- Check your drip watering system. Verify the ground humidity around all plants. Check your drippers every other day to see if any popped out now that heat is making the hoses softer.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beans (Pinto& Snap), Corn, Armenian Cucumbers, Melons (Cantaloupe, Muskmelon), Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Sunflowers
Transplants: Peppers, Tomatoes (place shade cloth over tomatoes)
Plant bush beans, cantaloupe, eggplant, pumpkin, summer squash, watermelon, winter squash. They will produce in the fall. Shade your young plants.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Pick early-maturing deciduous fruit varieties, which are particularly prone to bird damage, before full maturity. Ripened at room temperature to lessen the bird peck loss.
Cover fruit trees to protect from birds
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees
AugustThe monsoon is bringing little relief, so the air is not as dry. This is the beginning of the summer growing season in the desert.- Hold on trimming plants for another month to prevent sunburn.
Vegetables:
Solarize garden soil: Prepare bed for fall planting, irrigate and then cover with clear plastic for six weeks. This will kill or drive out many of the soil pathogens.
Prepare bed for fall planting
Plant Seeds: Snap Beans, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Corn, Cucumbers, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf) Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Summer Squash
Plant Transplants: Tomatoes
Plant bush beans, corn, eggplant, peas, summer squash, tomatoes.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Late summer application of nitrogen fertilizer probably helps fruit sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels & tangerines) than spring ripening (Grapefruit and Valencia orange) varieties.
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.
SeptemberThe weather is cooling down, but the monsoon is finished, water needs are still high. Planting is not as hard on the plants if you wait until the night temperature falls in the 70's to do your plantings.
Vegetables:
Solarize garden soil: Prepare bed for fall planting, irrigate and then cover with clear plastic for six weeks. This will kill or drive out many of the soil pathogens.
Prepare bed for fall planting
Seeds: Snap Beans, Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Leeks, Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips
Transplants: Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
Plant beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, eggplant, garlic, lettuce, peas, radishes.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Late summer application of nitrogen fertilizer probably helps fruit sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels & tangerines) than spring ripening (Grapefruit and Valencia orange) varieties.
Apply nitrogen and zinc to pecan trees to produce normal size leaf growth and to enhance kernel development. Pecans also need more water than most other shade trees.
OctoberThe weather is cooling down, that's now that you want to plant citrus, but also your winter bloom and vegetable.- A great month to do your planting, the nurseries are loaded with container grown plants.
Vegetables:
Prepare bed for fall planting
Seeds: Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Collard Greens, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Leeks, Mustard, Onions (Bulb & Green), Parsnips, Peas, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips
Transplants: Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Celery, Chard, Garlic, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
Plant artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, garlic, lettuce, peas, radishes.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Late summer application of nitrogen fertilizer probably helps fruit sizing. This is more significant for fall ripening (navels & tangerines) than spring ripening (Grapefruit and Valencia orange) varieties
November- Get ready for freeze warnings that can happen any time from the very end of November until mid February- Citrus start being ready to pick.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chard, Collard Greens, Endive, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Mustard, Onions (Bulb & Green), Peas, Radishes, Rutabagas, Spinach, Turnips
Transplants: Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Chard, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
Watch for insect and pest problems, identify and manage early to prevent damage.
Plant artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, radishes.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Be prepared to protect citrus from early winter frostsDecember- Plant artichokes- Plant bare root trees and shrubs when they become available at the end of the month.- Rake the leaves fallen from the trees, most deciduous trees like ashes, elms, apricot trees, peach trees start losing them after the first frosts. They keep losing them until the end of December. Beware that any frost sensitive plants growing in their shade will be losing their protection.
Vegetables:
Seeds: Beets, Bok Choy, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Lettuce (Head & Leaf), Mustard, Green Onions, Peas, Radishes, Spinach, Turnips
Transplants: Asparagus, Broccoli, Cabbage, Chinese Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (Head & Leaf)
Watch for insect and pest problems, identify and manage early to prevent damage.
Plant artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, radishes.
Fruit and Nut Trees
Be prepared to protect citrus from early winter frostsWrap the trunks of young citrus and other cold-tender trees with cloth, cardboard or several layers of newspaper (NOT plastic) to protect them from the winter freeze. Leave them wrapped until the threat of frost has passed in the Spring.
Peel color is not a good indicator of maturity or taste in citrus. Give it the taste test. If it is not sweet enough for your liking, leave it on the tree. Up to a point, the longer the fruit is left on the tree the sweeter.
Deciduous fruit trees must receive sufficient chilling for their flower buds to develop properly. Different varieties have different "chilling requirements." In order to have good fruit set, even in milder winters, choose a variety that requires less than 400 hours of chilling.
APPENDIX
http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/general/hort.htmFruit Trees for Arizona ~10 pages
http://www.gardeninginarizona.com/FruitTrees2.htmlhttp://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/cultural/thin.htmhttp://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/cultural/chlorsis.htmhttp://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/garden/html/t-tips/cultural/frost.htmVegetable Planting Calendar Maricopa County
http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1005.pdfComposting
http://www.plowhearth.com/magazine/compost_how_to.asp
PROCESS cookies in food processor until fine crumbs form. Transfer to medium bowl; mix in butter. Press onto bottom of 13x9-inch dish. Refrigerate until ready to use. 
WHISK cream cheese, sugar and 2 Tbsp. milk in medium bowl until blended. Stir in 1-1/4 cups COOL WHIP; spread over crust.
