In most parts of the country, gardeners are weeding and tending to their gardens because after all spring is for planting. Not so, in many parts of Arizona. Here, spring time is for harvesting and getting ready for fall planting.
For those of you who have never attempted growing anything beyond a few token geraniums or hanging planters, food gardens are not that difficult. If you devote some time to planning, you'll be shocked at how easy it is.
Keep in mind, too, your own commitment to gardening: some plants require more maintenance than others. If you love tomatoes but can't commit to keeping their suckers trimmed, it might be better to visit one of the many farmers around Santa Cruz. Lettuce, on the other hand can be grown year-round if re-seeded, is easy to grow, and can be grown in a relatively small space. Beets are great space savers because they do double-duty as a root vegetable with edible leaves.
Often, fruit trees are chosen over ornamental varieties. Fences and trellises are now being adorned by grapes, and vegetables are being planted in amongst summer annuals. Even landscapers are noticing the difference, with requests for edible landscape designs becoming more common.
This environmentally-friendly way of conditioning your soil is both free and highly rewarding. If you keep a compost bin in the kitchen to gather organic waste, make sure that you use a charcoal filter to eliminate nasty odors. Prevent hungry pests from getting into the compost in your garden by fitting a secure lid to your composting bin.
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