Many people move to Arizona and think there is no way they can maintain a successful vegetable garden and
enjoy fresh produce. The conditions are tough for growing, from the scorching sun to the hard, rocky red soil. However, there is a gardening method that works well in any climate, takes up very little space and produces a steady stream of seasonal produce to enjoy.
Square foot gardening takes a small space and makes the most of it. Using raised beds or planting boxes allows the home gardener to create a garden with excellent soil and optimum growing conditions. The gardening space is divided into a grid of squares, each containing a different type of plant. Using the concept of companion planting allows the gardener to make the most of the space, by placing plants that actually benefit each other in close proximity to one another. Some squares will contain one plant, others will contain multiple small plants. Using a sequential planting schedule allows you to harvest small amounts every few weeks during the season, instead of having huge amounts of one vegetable to harvest all at once.
Local Master Gardener, John Chapman, has created a system of box gardening that allows Valley residents to get started with vegetable gardening easily. Chapman addresses issues such as fertilization, irrigation, and provides many informative links on his website such as planting schedules, a vegetable garden model and books on square foot gardening. October is a great time for planting and working outdoors, so why not get your green thumb back to growing?
