We also have the horrible winds and here they last all year. It makes it really hard on the plants, and on us. Anyway, I'm amazed at what you do and all you grow. You show it is possible with a lot of work. Your place is going to be so nice when you get all of those projects done. Of course, the projects are never ending. One thing always leads to another!

Hi Karen,

You are absolutely correct, the projects are never ending and they do take a whole lot of work. Not only in physical labor, but in planning and budgeting. I use the one day on, one day off schedule to keep my sanity. Heck, for all I know it might become a one day on, two days off before too long. And, no one day is ever a full day... most are two to four hours before calling it a day.

I did get out and prep some of the patio area yesterday. Removed two loads of dirt, level and added sand to our already boxed in area. I think by the end of September, the patio will be complete. If installation goes well and proves to not a back breaker, I might extend the project and incorporate the fire pit area. We plan to use sandstone and although the large pieces are very nice, I worry about their weight, so I am just going to do whatever I can. It will be a big improvement and doesn't need to be Better Homes & Garden worthy. Phil likes the chocolate colored stone as it matches our fencing. And, I think our existing aqua blue planters will really pop on that surface.

But, until we get into town again and pick up the supplies, I am going to get those trees in. I have had them since May and one of the pines is really taking a beating. I hope it survives. I think it will, but it has dropped a lot of needles, so it is most likely root bound in its pot. Have you experienced the critters eating pine saplings? We have mature pine trees that they don't bother, but I was reading that they can destroy a sapling. Have you any experience with this? I am a bit short on wire to protect them, but dont want to wait to plant.

Thanks for the chat, Karen! Here to you and wishing you a wonderful weekend!

I'd protect your saplings. I think they have spiral type tree wraps you could put on til they're older and hardier? The deer and even the rabbits nibble on our small pines here. They are voracious and even eat prickly pear and cholla cacti.

It sounds like you have some great projects in progress! We are having to operate the same way. Everything goes much slower than it used to, but we eventually get it done. I had 10 new plants to pot up yesterday. Before I would have done them all at once. Now I pot 3 or 4 and go inside to rest and do a few household chores. Then it's back out to do the rest. It'll soon be time to get ready for winter, so that will be a big project. About half my outdoor plants have to go inside the house or the green house.

Howdy SW gardeners!

Well, here's our final summer harvest. We have a few more pumpkins, butternut, and carrots out there, but not for long. I hoping there is enough time for one more push before the frost. As always, I like to share with you here to encourage others that veggie gardens are possible in our climate. BTW, I didn't use the shade screen at all this summer and I think the garden did better without it.

Each season gives us an opportunity to learn. This season I learned that okra is not our up of tea and I doubt I will plant again. Our corn was a complete fail. It set cobs, but they never filled out and then the plants just dried up even though watering was regular and seemed to be sufficient. The lima beans produced 3 cups of dried beans total, so, not worthy of the garden space IMO. And finally, the cucumber suffered greatly as the squash ran them over. I have plans to set a permanent trellis in place before my next plant.

Anyways, Happy Harvest Season! Autumn has arrived! Enjoy the cooler temperatures, I know we sure are!

Beautiful harvest, Gina.

I think sometimes you have to help the corn pollinate. I did grow some successfully years ago in a very small plot. Nothing tastes, better hope you try it again. Cannot remember the variety at this moment.

Good morning, Linda. The corn did great in the main bed on our first year. Small ears, but sweet. Had some worms get to them, but that doesn't bother me too much. Had enough to put some cobs in the freezer. Well, hubs is not a fan of planting them in the main bed (nor tomatoes), so I have been trying other plots on the property and none have done well even with lots of heavy nitro amendments. I don't understand his opposition to corn in the main bed... tomatoes with their hornworms, okay, I get that, but corn? Oh, well, not worth the battle, I suppose.

My bed sits bare at the moment. I can't seem to get my head in the game right now. I might wait until Spring this time around. Still working on that fence from February.. almost done - 10 panels to go. I did help out my daughter-in-law with landscaping on Monday. Planted lots of cacti and paying the price from those needles. Although, it looks really great!

I did get started on leveling for the back patio and brought in sand. Took measurements for my barn roof panels. But, IDK, I think It is going to have to wait a few months. I was hoping to get it done by the holidays. I guess I am feeling a bit overwhelmed. I need to complete some projects before starting more.

Have a wonderful day, my friend.

Gina, you accomplish much more than most of us. Try not to feel overwhelmed. Make your lists, and work on what you feel like. Eventually it all gets done, even if it's not as fast as we'd like! Your place must be wonderful, and you've had such great home grown produce! I also have a lot of unfinished projects, but I'm trying to not worry about them.

I am amazed at all you have accomplished, Gina! I agree with what Karen said as well. I bet that corn was delicious. The time I grew some it was yummy!

We that live in warmer climates need to take a break sometimes from gardening , as people in colder climates are forced to do. Spring will be ready for a rested up, Gina! 😀

I agree, Linda. A winter break can be very helpful! In my case it lets me work on mosaic or quilting projects so I can stay inside and avoid the cold. By Spring I'm very ready to get back outside again to start working on all of the projects I've been thinking of!

I need to take my own advice, Karen!

Awe, thank you Karen and Linda, you ladies are the best! I have decided to take a break from winter gardening and concentrate more on the hoop house and garden bed itself. I need to install some trellis work for my future vine veggies. The leftover hog wire will be ideal for that purpose.

We had quite a bit of rain this past week, so we took advantage of the wet ground and put in 6 of the 10 panels. One more day and that fence will be off the list! Hubs and I bought some of those redwood landscape timbers last week and have constructed a garden arbor for the stop of our "secret" stairs. Installation is supposed to take place today, so I'll post a photo here once it gets upright. A very affordable way to put an arbor on the property... less than $20 and some elbow grease. I may end up growing gourd on them at some point as I don't want wiring at the bottom... anything that the critters won't eat is A-OK with me!

And since the auger will be out, I hope to at least get the holes dug for the five remaining pine trees. We did finally get the five poplars and fig tree in the ground. So, if it all works out, that too will be off the list and the hoop house ready for revamp from nursery landscaping to bulbs and culinary herbs - as it was intended. I gotta say, our weather has been ideal these past few days!

Here's a recent development: During the recent storm, the coyotes got our six juvenile chicks from their brooder box. Worst part of it all was that they were gifts for friends of ours to increase their flock. In fact, they were to be delivered this Sunday. I witnessed them at daybreak grabbing them through the wire door that they managed to break through. It was surprising to see them out in the storm, but maybe a storm is their ideal hunting weather? It is a shame, but that is nature's way, I suppose. The two cockerels were beginning to get their voices so laying wasn't too far behind... two steps forward; one step back.

And, yes, it is time to concentrate on the homemade crafts. With Christmas coming at us quickly, I have been busy constructing two puppet theaters for my granddaughters. I salvaged a slat platform bed and tore it all apart. To my surprise, it was enough for two and will be the perfect size for my 3 and 4 yr old grands. I even had red velvet in storage for the theatrical curtains. A little paint, a little TLC, some bling for twinkle and two originals will be created. Miss Violet's will be dramatic like her personality while Miss Arya's will have a nature's theme - soft and quiet. I also have plans to make some cement and fabric planters. Have you seen those? Draped fabric in cement hardened upside down? Very unique.

Thanks again for all your encouragement!

Love reading about all your projects. Will look forward to those photos. Very sad to hear about the Coyotes getting your chicks. There is definitely not a shortage of Coyotes in Tucson.

Wish I had an auger! How big is yours? Is it gas or electric powered? Our soil is so hard .

Love your project ideas, Gina! I have seen photos of those fabric and cement planters. Looks like fun if I didn't have a million ideas like that floating around my mind!

I'm sorry about the coyotes getting the chicks. It really seems hard to protect chickens from predators. We used to have them, and gave up after something got all of our chickens. Whatever it was didn't eat them. They just badly injured all of them, and they all had to be put down, which was really hard, and sad.

Karen .

Good morning!

Yes, Karen, I noticed they killed them all first and then took each one into the brush... saw them take one off. One dead chick left in the brooder box. They have never gotten into our main coop, just the temporaries we built as grow-out pens... wiley coyotes!

Okay, got the arbor installed! It sits above the narrow stairway which leads to the main garden bed area. I hope to grow dipper gourds on it if the rabbits will not eat them as I don't want wire at the base. I think a few boulder rocks and an agave or barrel cactus will help landscape the area. I just love it!

We have a 2-man, gas powered Briggs & Straten auger. (The Earthquake?). I believe it is a 8" bit. Will dig a hole 3 feet deep. Our ground is hard as concrete, too. We have to dig a slight hole, add water, and repeat until we hit the depth we want. Got it through Tractor Supply. Expensive, but worth every penny! Could not have put up Michael's perimeter fence without it.

I love that arbor, Gina! It really fits in to the rustic look of the land there.
That auger must be wonderful. We have rented them in the past. The proper tools are lifesavers.

The arbor looks great!

The auger sounds fantastic! What a job that must do.