Your Gardening Resource
Start Growing Food in Arizona
Whether you’re an aspiring backyard grower or just looking to take your gardening obsession to the next level, we’ve compiled this resource guide on how to get started and ways to tackle the unique challenges we face when gardening in the desert.
STEP #1: Getting Your Garden Started
Choose your garden type and determine the best way to garden for your time and budget. Depending on your living situation, there are a number of ways to go about gardening:
In-Ground
This style of garden uses the ground soil to grow plants. Depending on your soil quality, you may need to amend it with compost and organic matter. This can often be the most economical choice if you have the space for it.
Raised Beds
If you have limited space, raised beds are a good choice. The bed is raised above the ground surface, usually done by filling wood frames with better quality soil. This style provides a great barrier for pests.
Container
Container gardens are good for areas with less space and can be done indoors and out. Any kind of container can be used, whether it’s a terra cotta pot, a tire, an old glass bottle...even a shoe!
STEP #2: Supplies
The initial startup of a garden is when you’re going to need to make the biggest investment. Depending on the style of garden you choose to create, there will be a few staple items.
Tools, containers, compost, irrigation systems, and soil can be found at garden supply stores.
Seeds, the most important and necessary component, can be found at seed exchanges or purchase transplants and seedlings at a local nursery.
Creating and using compost is one of the best ways to give your soil all of the nutrients it needs to nourish your plants. Check out Arizona composting companies where you can buy compost or sign up for residential composting services!
STEP #3: Watering Your Garden
Depending on your garden space, you can either manually water your garden (which is how a lot of beginners start off) or set up an irrigation system. In warmer seasons, a missed day of watering can mean disaster for your crops. Since Arizona is also currently facing a drought, a more sustainable practice is to use an automatic irrigation system that conserves water and is set to automatically water your plants at a specified time.
Creating an automatic watering setup is one of the more difficult processes for a gardener. For this reason, some gardeners will hire irrigation companies to install an irrigation or drip system. For those looking to DIY it, home and garden stores or experts (see below) can be a valuable resource to assist in getting your irrigation system set up for your garden space.
STEP #4: Connect with the Experts
As you begin to prepare your garden, don’t hesitate to ask the experts or visit the local gardening resources below for valuable information on growing in Arizona.
STEP #5: Planting and Harvesting
Understand your environment! Not everyone is a gardening professional their first time around and having a calendar can be extremely helpful for ensuring optimal growth in your garden. An excellent tip: determine which hardiness zone your garden is located in. Depending on your region, the dates may vary for planting and harvesting in your garden.
STEP #6: Companion Planting
Don’t worry about how your garden looks! Strategically placing your plants doesn’t have to be purely aesthetic. By mindfully planting, you can ensure optimal results with pest control, pollination, beneficial insects, maximizing available space, and crop productivity. Use the companion planting chart below to pick which plants will work well together in your garden.
Flowers can also benefit your garden, including pops of color, pest control, and unique culinary flavors! Check out Maricopa County Cooperative Extension’s guide to planting flowers in the low desert.
