Timing is Everything (Planting in the Desert)

To plant a seed is to predict the future. As a gardener, I'm a prophet of sorts. I can point to bare earth and say, "In four months this empty space will be glorious!" I love to drive through the Biltmore Resort and survey their lush garden beds; but if I see a profusion of petunias in spring it's not a good idea to head home and plant petunia seeds. Spring blooms need to be planted months earlier. In Arizona, my contemplative cherub is surrounded by Bachelor Button flowers in April because I sprinkled a handful of itsy seeds in a bed of compost last December. 

 Plant Bachelor Button seed in December for spring blooms in the desert (sun to part-sun).

Nasturtium is brightening my patio in April because I planted 3 plump seeds in January (plant Oct-Jan in sun). Timing is everything!

In April my tomatoes are plump and green. I've only harvested a few mature, red fruit. Young seedlings should move to sunny garden beds by Valentine's Day (St. Patrick's Day if the frosts pass early). I often continue transplanting large tomato plants into my garden thru May. Cover them with 40% shade cloth when the temps rise above 95 degrees, and they will take a break from fruit production but continue root and stem development. As soon as temps cool down, in early fall, tomatoes will begin producing again until a winter freeze.

Peace is a well-suited climbing rose for the desert and blooms reliably each spring. Plant in part-sun. Water slow and deep. Fertilize every two weeks in early-fall and spring, only once a month in summer. Bend old canes horizontally to force a row of new vertical shoots to sprout from each cane. Every new vertical shoot will  produce beautiful blooms!

In April tiny clusters form on Red Flame grape. Can you see them now? The juicy red, seedless grapes will be ripe in early summer.

In spring I like to transplant Victoria Blue Salvia farinacea (six-packs or gallon pots from the nursery). If I keep them well watered thru the summer, I'm l still enjoying their vibrant blooms at Christmas! The stalks are beautiful in bouquets.

Florida Prince Peach has begun to bloom. Soon it will fill in with leaves and set fruit which will ripen in mid-summer. Early spring's a wonderful time to plant fruit trees.

It's time to plant Sunflower and Zinnia seeds (April-May & July-Oct in sun or part-sun). You can't see them blooming today, but you can predict them into existence for your tomorrows. Veggie Planting Calendar.
Flower Planting Guide for the desert.

It rained in my desert garden today.
See it?