I was looking at some gardening checklists in Phoenix Home and Garden. Tasks we need to do to prepare for Fall, Winter gardens. The southwest is so diverse weather-wise that it's difficult to create a "to-do" list that covers all regions: mountains, high desert, low lands, low desert, plateaus, mesas, river regions. Maybe we can share some valuable information here and tickle each other about getting these tasks done. We'll have some great veggie, flower, shrub gardens to share here at ATP.

OK. I'll be sharing some of my tasks soon.

http://www.motherearthnews.com...

Image... Google.

Susie, I will grow some cherry tomatoes again and hopefully my onions from Dan (who got them from ray) will come back. I may not have enough sun on this balcony.

I have had only one veggie garden...the one you posted is beautiful ... love the logs!

Ya know, I've been trying to get motivated to get my little plots ready......and trying just isn't getting it done! This week I've been getting up at 5 to water plants and survey the yard once it's light, and am a much happier gardener.

The most important thing I do to prepare for fall gardening is to rototill in in mulch, soil sulphur and a general fertilizer. Then, its time sitting on the ground picking out rocks....our lot was the one used to store gravel and stuff when they paved the streets in our area. I've been able to gravel several paths just by using the stones picked out of the garden areas (silver lining!). Had I known what kind of soil I'd be working with back when we moved in here I'd have made raised beds, but now I'm into the habit of doing it this way, and each year I can see the soil improving.

First thing to go into the ground will be edamame!

I've not been motivated to go out and work at all. I water in the evening for the most part. Keep up with some maintenance but not much. This heat is horrible.

I had my house painted a couple of weeks ago so you can imagine the plants at the perimeter are in disarray. It's made me realize I want to change the front yard a little and make it a bit more structured. I think that would save on some of the rambling mess. I have an Incense Passiflora that would take over everything if allowed.

I too pick up the rocks in the beds of my planted areas. Four years ago when I bought this house the prev. owners had rock and shrubs. Very boring. I've been removing the granite rock by hand and have made pretty good progress. Good idea, Crista, to use the rock for pathways. Since rock has been everywhere here I need to removed the rock where I don't want pathways. Well, you get my gist.

When it cools a bit I'll be able to work. I know for all of us in Phoenix we're probably not getting too much done!

Keep in touch all... any good tips are welcome!

Susie, when we have a cool day....I'll come help you!

My yard looks like a jungle and it is too hot to care. The riding lawn mower and the weeder both quit working :o(

Yep. It's all just going to have to wait. I could have mowed the lawn a week ago but it ain't gonna happen until it's below 105.

Let's see: 100 degrees today, 106 by Thursday. According to this article, 'cool' may be a relative term and 'rain' an anachronism. http://www.azcentral.com/news/...

Anyone in Yuma AZ on this list?
I am new to gardening and have one of those beginner questions concerning horse manure. How long do I let it set on the ground until it is considered rotted enough to use in a new bed? And does it help to break up the road apples? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Gunny, I don't know if you have an extension office in Yuma - I'm guessing you do - but you might want to contact them for a planting calendar. Many of us are flat mystified as to when we can plant in AZ - after living in Michigan and Tennessee, I sure am. None of the old rules apply...

What Sheryl said. I'm from San Francisco and still fighting the cultural shift. I would think the longer the road apples sit on the concrete the more likely the stolens will be cooked. Just a guess. Then no thread of invasion of "B E R M U D A".

Hi
I am in los lunas new mexico. New at gardening. Would like to know what to grow in ybis loomy clay like hard ground. Have access to truck loads of cow manure.
Thanks

Hi Tim, welcome!

Before you even get to the soil, we have to figure out your "zone" - in other words, how hot and how cold your area gets, and what your first and last frost dates are. I just happen to have Google, right here...

... and of course, there appears to be some disagreement, some places say 6b, some say 7a. You'll probably know best yourself, if you get a frost when a friend across town doesn't get any, then you're likely colder - or the complete opposite. The good news is that zone 7 has an awfully wide range of plants - you are more likely to be restricted by your water than your weather.

Clay soil, in my opinion, is not the worst soil in the world. It holds moisture better than any other soil (a good thing in the Southwest) and tends to have a higher nutrient content. For plants that need lighter soil, as you already know, you can amend it with organic matter - manure, compost, etc. or sharp sand to improve it's drainage. The one thing you don't want to do with clay soil is work it when it is really wet - I don't really understand why, but that's when it starts to look like bricks.

What are you interested in planting? Food garden or landscaping, or??