Consider the following factors as you plan your garden (remember to use a budget):
Raised beds can be useful for home food production.
· The Benson Institute (named for President Ezra Taft Benson) has a beautiful guide for all aspects of raised bed vegetable gardening.
· Sturdy raised bed design from Sunset Magazine.
· Colorado State Extension has another helpful article on raised bed veggie gardens.
· The soil can be the trickiest part of this method. If you start a few weeks ahead, you can use the lasagna method to develop growing media from stuff you have on hand.
Container gardening is viable option.
· This FHE gardening lesson plan may have been under your nose for years.
· Arizona is a good place to look for container vegetable gardening info.
Landscaping can be edible.
Herbs work especially well with xeriscaping.
Caution: Know what pest/weed products are being used near plants you intend to eat!
Caution: Teach your children that not everything is edible – some plants are poisonous.
No space? No worries - you can rent garden space! (Prices include water and use of equipment.)
· The Staheli Family Farm rents 68'x74' plots for about $125/year.
· The Washington City Community Garden rents 15'x15' plots for $40/year (non-resident).
Wherever you plant, soil preparation will help maximize your investment.
· Take the guesswork out of soil prep - test your soil!
· Use compost to improve your soil texture and fertility!
· Fertilize regularly, but understand fertilizers to avoid creating new problems.
This is the desert! Water wisely!
· Build a drip irrigation system.
· While plants are becoming established, water briefly and frequently. Once, plants are established, water deeply (1’) less often.
Timing is everything!
· Dixie Gardner vegetable calendars.
· The Vegetable Planting Guide explains how these calendars are calculated.
· Access weather data here.
· Prepare a garden task calendar for the year (you may have to adjust these dates for our area).
· Nurture your garden through the summer heat.
· Extend your growing season with basic coverings. You can even build your own hoop house.
Choose varieties that work well here.
· Look for Zone 10 (Sunset Zone) or 8A (USDA Hardiness Zone).
· Fruit/nut varieties for southern Utah.
There are many plant sources.
· Seed catalogs offer enormous variety.
· You can build your own seed source by harvesting seeds from non-hybrid plants! (another site)Costco.com has a good deal on a bucket of seeds of this type.
There are free seed sources.
· Plant seeds in the field or grow them inside until it warms up. (economic approach)
· Some nurseries will grow exactly what you want if you order in advance.
· “Clone” perennial plants you love (vegetative propagation 1 and 2).
Protect your plants!
· From heat.
· From pests/disease. (Be ready for Tomato Hornworms –2, 3 – & Squash Bugs.)
· From weeds.
· Plants can help each other – position your plants by their best neighbors!
Reap your rewards!
· Harvest (replant as appropriate).
· Use, preserve, give, or store food. (another storing reference)
Prepare for your next round.
· You can grow food all year in Dixie!
· Evaluate, study, and improve!
Take a class!
· Washington County Extension hosts monthly Water-Wise Gardening Workshops and annual Master Gardener training.
· The Washington City Community Garden has 2 classes/month on various gardening topics.
· Community Education through Dixie State College offers several great courses.
· The Dixie Garden Club meets monthly.
· Check nurseries/home improvement stores as well.
Gardening information is everywhere!
· The major source for scientifically validated gardening information is the nation's network of land-grant universities. They get this information to the public through the Cooperative Extension program. USU Cooperative Extension has links to "Fact Sheets" on most common garden vegetables, fruits, and herbs; soil; irrigation; and overall garden management.
· Washington County Extension has planting schedules and other area-specific information. You can call or visit the extension office- 44 N. 100 E.; 435-634-5706. The extension specialists' jobs are to provide garden, landscape, food storage, etc information to the public. They offer great classes/certification courses. Testing (soil, water, etc) & diagnostic (disease, pest, etc) services are also available through the USU labs for a small fee.
· You can search the newsletter database for all of the nation's Extension publications.
· Of course, Internet search engines will direct you to zillions of other resources!
· In the long run, you’ll be your own best teacher if you keep a journal.
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