Gardening in the Arizona Desert

Sections 0:00-2:13 Gardening in native high desert soil 2:14-3:00 Composting to improve native soil 3:01-5:21 Gardening in the ...

This article is a summary of a YouTube video "Gardening in the Arizona Desert" by Blossom Flower Delivery

Key insights about video Gardening in the Arizona Desert

🌵 The individual moved off-grid two years ago and has since built a complete homestead and garden in Arizona's high desert.

🐭 They encountered issues with mice nibbling on their plants and learned that employing a cat on the homestead effectively keeps the rodent population at bay.

🌱 Composting has been a crucial element of their gardening approach, using homemade soil enriched with pig manure, straw, and other organic materials.

🌞 The homesteader created a geothermal greenhouse that maintains a more consistent temperature throughout the year, proving to be 15 degrees warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

🌽 Experimentation with various growing methods has led to the successful cultivation of potatoes, corn, squash, moringa seeds, and other produce despite the challenging local climate.

💧 Rainwater harvesting techniques, including swales and a pond, have significantly improved water efficiency for irrigation purposes on the property.

🌿 Succession planting and crop diversification are key strategies used in the hoop house garden to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the year.

🍅 Efforts to plant tomatoes and other sensitive crops early in the season have resulted in a satisfactory yield as the individual gains more gardening experience.

🌳 Future plans include setting up a dedicated solar system for the geothermal greenhouse and starting an orchard using the water from the pond overflow.

Timestamped Summary

00:40 The speaker shares their initial gardening experience after moving off-grid, describing their first garden location and the range of plants they tried to grow.

01:18 Mice were identified as a major problem nibbling on plants in the original garden, leading to the adoption of a farm cat named Annie to control the mice population.

02:15 The importance of a composting system is highlighted, where the speaker utilizes pig manure, hay, straw, and other materials to create rich soil for the garden.

03:03 A geothermal greenhouse project is introduced. The speaker dug a hole, installed corrugated tubing for temperature control, and built the structure inexpensively to extend growing seasons.

04:12 The speaker discusses the effectiveness of the geothermal greenhouse, even when not fully operational, by maintaining a temperature difference of about 15 degrees from outside conditions.

06:01 Watering practices are explained, detailing the changes in frequency and amount based on the heat of the summer or cooler temperatures.

07:01 Success with Hugo culture, a method of gardening featuring raised beds layered with wood and compost, is discussed and demonstrated with the corn plants.

08:07 The pond's role in garden irrigation is explained, showcasing how rainwater and gray water can be efficiently used to water the gardens without worrying about water scarcity.

10:16 The speaker elaborates on the new systems implemented for efficient water management, describing how excess water from the pond is channeled to create conditions conducive for planting an orchard.

11:22 Various plants thriving in the hoop house are listed, including potatoes, squash, broccoli, Swiss chard, beets, and carrots, providing insights into what grows well in the high desert environment.

13:25 The concept of succession planting is introduced, which allows all-season harvesting of various plants like beets, turnips, and salad. It’s a strategic way to extend the harvest period.

14:04 The speaker mentions their participation in the off-grid homestead bundle with other creators, offering homesteading books and resources, and providing information on how to sign up for updates.

14:20 For those interested in acquiring land for homesteading, the speaker offers a link for discounted lots across the United States, with potential savings on property purchases.

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Hey babies! Thank you so much for watching - I hope you are all doing well. I am sharing some more gardening progress / yard ...

Q&A

How did you start your garden on the homestead?

I built my first garden where the goat pen is now, planting fruits, vegetables, salad, corn, potatoes, and melons among other things.

What was your main issue with the garden and how did you solve it?

The main issue was that mice were nibbling on the plants. It was solved by having a farm cat named Annie, who does an amazing job keeping them at bay.

What have you learned about desert gardening since moving off-grid?

I learned the importance of getting rid of pests like mice and the effectiveness of establishing a composting system using my own soil made from scratch, including pig manure and hay.

What is the geothermal greenhouse and how does it work?

The geothermal greenhouse is a structure built over a hole with corrugated tubing, covered by soil, to regulate temperature. It should keep the inside cooler in the summer and warmer in winter, and I've proven a 15-degree difference in both seasons.

What kind of plants are thriving in your gardens?

Potatoes, squash, broccoli, Swiss chard, beet, corn, and tomatoes are some of the plants that are doing well.

How often do you water your garden in the summer versus now?

During the summer, I water as much as twice a day, mostly heavily at night, and during the day to keep things cool. Now that it's in the lower 80s and raining, I water about every other day or a few days in between.

What is your experience with growing corn on the homestead?

Corn grows natively out here, so it should do well. In my first attempt, I nearly made it to harvest, but a frost killed the plants before they could be harvested. This time, I'm expecting better success.