Summers in Las Vegas are brutal as we all know. I laugh when people tell me it is a dry heat. Try standing in it for more than a half an hour and tell me that the moisture in the air really matters. It is hot. It is dangerous to stay in and it is necessary to protect the garden from these direct sun rays.
I cover my main vegetable bed during the intense heat months. Slowly, the weeks pass, and if all goes well, I will still have a few items ready to bring forth their goodness. The tomato plants offered fruit here and there and so did a couple of the strawberry plants. The Swiss Chard and basil were persistent and strong. I still have kale and am seeing a return of the artichoke plants in the center bed. Watermelon vines cover the entire surface of the 7' x 7' area that held corn in late spring. The fruits are set and the last count was over two dozen.
The kale surprised me. Last year my red Russian kale had an infestation of scale so bad it stunted the growth of the plants and eventually killed them. My first planting of the variety was seriously disappointing. This year was completely opposite. Several plants thrived and still stand sturdy even will some cutworm holes and chicken pecks.
The only expectation from a summer garden in the Vegas valley is keeping plants alive. Helping them survive the horrendous heat is my only wish. My goal has been met and the Fall temperatures are here. I am seeing the green peppers set and the garlic in bloom. The parsley is returning and I may be able to sow a batch of spinach to get through the cool months. Peas and cabbage can be planted as well as carrots and beets. I have not planned a Fall and Winter garden so this year I will carry this idea forth and grow some more experimental items.
The past few seasons have been very educational. It has been an honor to be a part of the process of edible gardening. The tiny seeds evolve into sturdy plants and send forth the bounty for harvest. What a miracle of nature. What a blessing.
I cover my main vegetable bed during the intense heat months. Slowly, the weeks pass, and if all goes well, I will still have a few items ready to bring forth their goodness. The tomato plants offered fruit here and there and so did a couple of the strawberry plants. The Swiss Chard and basil were persistent and strong. I still have kale and am seeing a return of the artichoke plants in the center bed. Watermelon vines cover the entire surface of the 7' x 7' area that held corn in late spring. The fruits are set and the last count was over two dozen.
The kale surprised me. Last year my red Russian kale had an infestation of scale so bad it stunted the growth of the plants and eventually killed them. My first planting of the variety was seriously disappointing. This year was completely opposite. Several plants thrived and still stand sturdy even will some cutworm holes and chicken pecks.
The only expectation from a summer garden in the Vegas valley is keeping plants alive. Helping them survive the horrendous heat is my only wish. My goal has been met and the Fall temperatures are here. I am seeing the green peppers set and the garlic in bloom. The parsley is returning and I may be able to sow a batch of spinach to get through the cool months. Peas and cabbage can be planted as well as carrots and beets. I have not planned a Fall and Winter garden so this year I will carry this idea forth and grow some more experimental items.
The past few seasons have been very educational. It has been an honor to be a part of the process of edible gardening. The tiny seeds evolve into sturdy plants and send forth the bounty for harvest. What a miracle of nature. What a blessing.
Climate Issues
The United States has most of the temperate zones in four quadrants. We have high humidity areas to mountainous regions, deserts to plains and everything in between. If you have a yearning to garden, start with the basics and see how they grow. Test them in appropriate seasons. Plant your tomatoes as soon as the last frost passes from your area. Can't garden outdoors for very long because winter only stays away for a short time? Set up a grow light and try to grow tomatoes in a container. If you can get a tomato to produce pot bound you can get other things to grow. Keep trying. I let countless plants die because of neglect. I didn't water for a couple of days and there goes that vegetable garden. I have since dedicated the necessary time to regular maintenance and observation. Once the initial work is complete, a few hours a week is all the garden needs. Once a month, clear out weeds and inspect plants.
Where do you live and what climate issues do you have to deal with?
Where do you live and what climate issues do you have to deal with?