Big Beautiful Red

This is corn growing in neighbor Mike's garden. Mighty fine, no?

Livestock

What is that low, steady, munching sound? It's hundreds of Red Wiggler worms feasting on kitchen scraps and shredded toilet paper rolls! Inspired by sister-thrill-seeker Heidi http://bishopfamilybs.blogspot.com/2008/06/worms-eat-our-garbage.html I've gone in search of a worm bin in order to manufacture the richest compost producing system there is. According to Ellen Sandbeck's booklet Laverme's Handbook of Indoor Worm Composting, the final product, " . . . contains bacterial and fungal populations that are 100X higher than the populations found in average soil." The previous landowner for our garden was the Del Webb construction company. They used this site for storing the heavy equipment and materials used in building the community of Sun City West (population 30K). Needless to say, the land has had no bacterial and fungal populations since about 1977. Sandbeck points out that worm castings (the final product) is so rich in nutrients that it is extremely concentrated and can actually burn plants if used liberally; it is nature's most perfect fertilizer- plant growth factors and B vitamins are even produced in the worms' guts. Goodbye Miracle Gro!
Here's my strategy, so far:
In goes a handful of soil, sand, crushed egg shells, shredded junk mail, dryer lint and several cups of kitchen scraps
I avoid coffee grounds and citrus, which are too acidic; the color ink used for newsprint-colored ink is toxic; bread- the yeast is not easily digested; meat, fish, and processed foods; and litter box leavings.
In the few weeks that the bin has been in operation, I have witnessed a fast turnaround in the decomposition process and have even seen baby worms. I will collect my first handful of castings sometime next week.

Plant freaks are my peeps

Papa y yo tambien

'Super Sicilian' Santi

Marshall and Mark: Full moon gardeners

(that's a mask at Marshall's throat- er . . . the mask goes over the mouth , Dude).

Janette and Jim

Due must be given to two extraordinarily generous fellow-gardeners:
In order to obtain a garden plot, I had to join the local garden club, the Sun City West Agricultural Club. The very first member I met was Janette Gricol, who manages the plots (she gives each new gardener an in-depth orientation. Janette is uber-organized and has limitless patience and energy. But it is her friendliness that inspires me the most).
After our meeting, she and I hopped into her golf car for a tour of the entire club compound. She stopped to chat with every member who was toiling that hot July morning. I was introduced to them all (maybe 6 members) . . . so friendly and welcoming. I have learned from her that socialization is just as important as gardening. By following her good example, I have been rewarded by getting to know all the terrific folks on my street ("Garlic Grove"). I now feel slighted if anyone drives by and doesn't at least wave.

Janette's husband, Jim, is just as golden. When I mentioned to Janette that I might be interested in caging the plot, she suggested that Jim help me construct it. When I demurred, she assured me that Jim enjoys helping other gardeners. She sure wasn't kidding. He has had a hand in building many, many cages or at the very least, contributing his plans for the construction of them. He even provides a list of supplies and suggestions for sources! Easy-going, knowledgeable and hard-working, Jim is a wonderful garden guru, as well. Not in five lifetimes could I have created, on my own, what he did for me in the course of a month, in 100 degrees + temps (in 4 hour, early morning sessions; about 16-18 hours, total).
Another Gricol appeal:
They grow okra and peanuts. That's exotic gardening to this Midwestern-raised gardener. Happy, happy gardener am I to have had such an auspicious start.
Pay it forward, girly . . .

Dry Latitudes

There are many wonderful aspects of gardening here in The Valley of the Sun. At the top of the list is fifty-two weeks of continuous planting and harvesting. Overheard:

Mr. Green Jeans: "How did your Sugar Baby watermelon do this summer?"

Mr. McGregor: "I'm harvesting my third crop of fruit."

My mouth waters at the thought of months of sweet, juicy, flavor-filled, home-grown heirloom watermelons. Excuse me while I slurp up my drool. It (almost) makes me look forward to next summer! Granted, the long, hot season limits the varieties to just a handful of Survivors . . . though adding shade cloth increases the range and scope of survivorship significantly.

Rant alert: Here it is, nearly October and I am obsessed by the continuing heat. In spite of September 15 being designated as the last average day of 100 degrees, we are still regestering daily temps in the double digits. At least the nights are "cooler"-85. And there are regular breezes. I'll take what I can get.

Cage 'em, Danno

There aren't enough predators in the Southwest to keep the cottontail population in balance. Ditto the quail, which, in spite of their whimsical charm, are ground-feeders that will just as soon peck at a seedling as look at it, just because they can. The more aerodynamic birds, such as the clever and resourceful grackles and mockingbirds eat ripening tomatoes, just because they can. Javelinas don't graze here in the Garden Compound, but just imagine the damage one night's feeding could produce.
What's a plant-lover to do? Many homeowners in the area encircle vulnerable plants in three foot high chicken wire, in hopes of deterring hungry critters. Obviously, this does nothing for the aesthetics of the landscape, not to mention the effort it takes to maintain plants that are not readily accessible.
Now I confess, the above dissertation is a feeble attempt to justify the significant Expense and Labor that goes into constructing a cage, solely for the purpose of growing a few flowers and vegetables.
Is it worth it? You bet it is. Unless invited in, only bees and hummers have free range. Shade cloth is easily draped. Climbers, trailers and vine-ers have rambling rights along the "walls" and "ceiling." It is a personal space, open to viewership and comment.
Still unconvinced? Noted wellness guru Dr. Andrew Weil, a fellow Arizona desert gardener, cages his crops.

So there.

Brown Out

Life in the desert is anthing but predictable. After just one hour of evening garden fun, I stood up and turned around to see this tan apparition approaching from the southwest. By the time I had jumped in the car, drove home and pulled into the garage (5 minutes, max), I could feel the grit on my teeth like beach sand on a hard boiled egg.
At this time of year, there is sure to be at least one dust storm per monsoon season. This version lasted about an hour and was fairly tame but I am grateful that I didn't take the bike that night!

Beginnings

Here's Dad in Sun City West, AZ. With just a plot (#219) of bare ground, anything can happen. Our goal is a little savory spinach, some old-fashioned sweet peas and a whole lot of friendly garden fellowship.