Start Your Desert Gardening Journey with These Container Gardening Tips
Transitioning from the flourishing gardens of a four-season state to the arid and perhaps thorny desert can be a perplexing journey. I once reveled in the joy of traveling the rolling hills of upstate New York with banks of flowers in the spring.
I do remember though, as a young child when my parents said we were going over to the next town to the “banks,” my confusion when we pulled off the side of the road in the country. ????I wondered why we were going to a bank ???? on the weekend when they weren’t open.
As I settled into the warmth of Tucson, Arizona, our first spring, frustration gripped me when faced with the unique challenges of desert container gardening.
Today, let’s embark on a journey together, unraveling the mysteries of cultivating vibrant blooms in the arid beauty of the desert and my belief that we CAN have living color 365 days a year.
I want to share the secrets I’ve discovered that transformed my frustration into a flourishing desert container garden.
I confess – this transition to a dry climate garden felt like learning a new language. Accustomed to a short but often humid summer with plentiful rain, the desert poses a formidable challenge. My initial attempts at coaxing life from my potted plants left me feeling defeated.
Summer in the Desert – The Greatest Desert Gardening Challenge
The first summer for any new desert dweller is, quite literally, an introduction by fire. As the sun intensified its hold on my pots, I faced a trial by heat. In the cool climates I once called home, summer was a season of blossoming life.
In the desert’s relentless heat, summer is a formidable adversary. The initial shock of soaring temperatures left my plants and me wilting.
Water-wise strategies became my summer survival toolkit. In the northern states, I had an easy-going watering routine. The desert, however, demands a nuanced approach. As the mercury climbed, I discovered the art of deep, consistent watering is a lifeline for parched plants. Mastering this dance became paramount to the well-being of my container garden.
In my first summer in the desert, I sought plants that love the heat. With local nursery staff as my guides, a palette of plants that thrive in direct summer sun brings vibrant colors to my oasis, transforming the initial struggle into a canvas of seasonal beauty.
Follow Riley’s journey as she moves from Vermont to the desert, seeking a new lifestyle that warms her soul.
As the sun set on that summer, my frustration turned into a newfound respect for the desert’s resilience. The harsh summer tested my plants and me, but together, we emerged with a respectable garden of pots.
The first summer for any new desert dweller is a rite of passage, a journey that unveils the true character of the arid landscape. As you navigate the unique challenges and triumphs of your inaugural desert summer, know fall and a gentler winter are coming, each with its vibrant flowers.
Fall Presents a Softer Season
The arrival of fall marks what I fondly refer to in my gardening calendar as the Shoulder Season. With the weariness of summer pots setting in, I eagerly await a refreshing trend of cooling temperatures. A trip to my local nursery became a quest for what I’ve recognized as Shoulder Season plants – bloomers that gracefully bridge the gap between the fading summer and the arrival of winter flowers.
Hoping for an abundance of Snapdragons, Petunias, Osteospermums, Dianthus, Marigolds, and Alyssum,
I felt a mix of anticipation and great disappointment. The offerings were slim, featuring a scattering of petunias, a touch more dianthus, a lovely display of marigolds, and a few Alyssum six-packs. The absence of quintessential “fall” flowers left me yearning for the seasonal shift to winter.
The tables, however, overflowed with resilient summer vinca. While I pondered the abundance, I realized that were I in the warmer realms of Phoenix or Palm Springs, snatching some vinca to fill my pots would be a winter-long affair, thriving even when the temperatures skirt the 30s. Alongside the vinca, many zinnias, angelonia, and begonias graced the scene, unsuitable for mid-desert winters.
Amid my floral contemplation, a gentle reminder emerged – be selective in your choices, knowing that the journey to fill your pots is an evolution. The nursery might not unveil all the fall treasures at once, but the beauty lies in the possibility of returning to claim those missing pieces.
Patience is required.
Winter Begins in December – Sometimes
My first December brought a revelation that turned the tide of my frustration. Navigating the desert’s winter requires a shift in perspective. Instead of battling sub-zero temperatures, I was surprised by sudden freezes and dead plants.
However, I was encouraged by the mild temperatures and clear skies, even on days that began with a morning chill. Each day, I derived much pleasure as winter flowers smiled as they turned to face the sun.
Fragrant plants, with their enticing scents, became my allies in transforming our home into a sensory oasis. Now, I revel in the subtle fragrances that waft through my desert garden. Combining alyssum, stock, and the spring bloom of citrus trees allows me to create a space where not only the eyes but also the nose delight in nature’s wonders.
Desert Container Garden Success
At the heart of my frustration, I have discovered that desert container gardening is not about replicating the familiar but embracing the uniqueness of the desert environment. Each challenge unveils an opportunity to learn and adapt.
To my fellow gardeners facing the transition from four-season states to the desert, I extend a piece of advice: embrace the unknown. Unveiling the secrets of desert container gardening is a journey of patience, adaptation, and, ultimately, celebration. May your frustration transform into vibrant blooms of success as you follow me and your other gardening friends and cultivate an oasis in the heart of your desert home.
If you are just starting out, consider my two books, Getting Potted in the Desert and Riley’s Garden Oasis. Learn more by clicking on this LINK.
Make going to your garden a habit.
5 minutes or 5 hours will give you joy that
you can hold on to all day long.
~ Marylee
