As a Master Gardener, Angela Judd wants everyone interested in cultivating their green thumbs to know one important point.
“Gardening in the desert is different, but not impossible,” she says.
Judd, an East Valley resident and gardener behind the Growing in the Garden blog, YouTube channel, and social media pages, is devoted to helping teach others to garden and has been interested in gardening her entire life.
When she moved back to Arizona in 2008 to a home with space in her backyard, Judd was ready to take her love of gardening to the next level.
For people who are new to gardening, or have been unsuccessful growing anything in the desert climate, Judd suggests that they start small, and focus on four fundamentals: sunlight, soil, watering and timing.
“Once you get those right you will be successful,” Judd says.
For example, Judd says it’s important to choose an area for the garden that gets at least six to eight hours of sunlight each day – preferably morning sun, and shade in the afternoon.
During the summer, gardeners should cover their plants with 50% shade cloth.
Judd, the author of the book “How to Grow Your Own Food: An Illustrated Beginner’s Guide to Container Gardening,” says raised beds and containers are simple and smart options because people can fill them with high-quality soil and get started right away.
“Raised Bed Mix from Arizona Worm Farm is what I use in all of mine. If you’re gardening in the ground, focus on adding compost and organic matter and using no-dig or no-till methods,” she says.
As for watering plants, Judd says it can be challenging to get it just right.
“Most people tend to overwater. Check your soil before watering and only water when the top few inches are dry,” she says, adding that when it comes to watering, more water less often is the way to go.
“Shallow, frequent watering encourages shallow roots that make it difficult for plants to withstand our tough desert conditions, while deep, infrequent waterings produce strong, deep roots.”
And, unlike other areas of the country with one long growing season, the Valley of the Sun has several short seasons.
This makes learning to plant at the correct time extra crucial.
“Guidelines for similar zones and on the backs of seed packets don’t work here,” Judd says, adding that instead, gardeners should use a planting guide made for Arizona.
“My blog and planting guides list what to plant each month. I have physical and digital planting guides and calendars to help you know when and what to plant.”
As for tips on how to get started growing a garden in Ahwatukee – whether it’s flowers or berries or vegetables or a combination – Judd offers these tips:
Don’t be afraid to start. Experience is the best teacher. People won’t have a perfect garden the first time, and that’s okay, because there is no “perfect” garden. Each season teaches something new. “Learn from your mistakes and build on your successes,” Judd says.
Start small. Choose one vegetable, herb, and flower and learn about growing them. Judd notes the more than 100 how-to-grow articles on her website, GrowingInTheGarden.com, will give people the details they need to grow them successfully.
Container gardening is a simple and inexpensive way to get started. “One of the best things about growing in containers is that you can garden anywhere. Add a container to your deck, front porch, balcony, or yard and you are ready to go,” she says.
Learn. Take classes. Judd teaches regular classes throughout the Valley and online. “This is a great way to learn and ask questions,” she says, adding that upcoming classes are listed on her website. “Also, watch my YouTube videos; I have several hundred videos about different topics including container gardening, crop-specific videos, and videos for what to do each month of the year here in the low desert.”
While gardening in Ahwatukee may seem challenging at first, Judd is confident that with the right tips and advice, anyone can have a green thumb.
“You can do it!” she says.
GrowingInTheGarden.com | YouTube.com/GrowingInTheGarden
...raised beds and containers are simple and smart options because people can fill them with high-quality soil and get started right away.
For people who are new to gardening, or have been unsuccessful growing anything in the desert climate, Judd suggests that they start small, and focus on four fundamentals: sunlight, soil, watering and timing.
