Hello from Phoenix

Hello all. I am truly a novice gardener and I’m here to learn. We’ve lived in our home in the Phoenix suburbs for over ten years. There has been a huge learning curve as all my prior gardening experience was in California. You’d think hot and hot, I’ve got this, but no. There’s hot, and then there’s the AZ summer which is HOT for days and nights on end. When we moved here there was one tree in the front yard that needed cutting down and some weeds in a corner of the backyard. Fast forward to now and there has been a lot of change, but it’s still a work in progress with much trial and error.

I read a bit about permaculture and other gardening techniques for the desert and started implementing some of the things I’d learned. Primarily getting the big trees planted for shade and improving soil. So far I’ve successfully created a separate xeriscape area with native or desert adapted shrubs that attract pollinators. I’ve added large shrubs that can be grown as small trees like Arabian lilac and dwarf olive to shade block walls. There’s a shade garden for perennial herbs and a few tropical plants and we have a veg garden that I’m converting to an apple tree guild now for a dwarf Dorsett Golden. I’d like to create guilds for our lemon tree and the mesquites as well. The final step will be a few sunken beds for warm season crops in areas that don’t get much sun in winter.

Current critters that contribute to the cause are two spoiled bunnies that spend the cool months outside in a 300 square foot side yard, then vacation indoors during the summer. I have had chickens in the past, but taking a break to let things grow up a bit before reintroducing. I also have a small hydroponic garden for growing lettuce and a few herbs inside in summer.

Hello!
I'm not sure how much the climate varies between Phoenix and Tuscan, but one of my favorite Permaculture teachers is Brad Lancaster. His books are great, but you can start with some excellent videos on youtube touring his suburban plot in Tuscan.

Welcome to the forum!

I also would recommend Brad Lancaster:

https://permies.com/wiki/brad-lancaster

https://permies.com/wiki/51855/Rainwater-Harvesting-Drylands-Brad-Lancaster

Anne Miller wrote:Welcome to the forum!

I also would recommend Brad Lancaster:

https://permies.com/wiki/brad-lancaster

https://permies.com/wiki/51855/Rainwater-Harvesting-Drylands-Brad-Lancaster

Hi there. Thanks for the info!  We’re a bit warmer and dryer but close enough. I’ll be sure to check it out.

Melissa Ferrin wrote:Hello!
I'm not sure how much the climate varies between Phoenix and Tuscan, but one of my favorite Permaculture teachers is Brad Lancaster. His books are great, but you can start with some excellent videos on youtube touring his suburban plot in Tuscan.

Oopsie lol, hello and thanks for the info. We are warmer and have less rain up here, but I’ll check it out!

Kc Barton wrote:

Anne Miller wrote:I also would recommend Brad Lancaster:

https://permies.com/wiki/brad-lancaster

https://permies.com/wiki/51855/Rainwater-Harvesting-Drylands-Brad-Lancaster

Hi there. Thanks for the info!  We’re a bit warmer and dryer but close enough. I’ll be sure to check it out.

That is even more reason to look into what Brad Lancaster is doing.

When looking for plants and seeds, I recommend looking for Native Plants that are drought resistant.

they will still need to be watered to get the plants established though usually once established a person can watch the plant to see when it needs water.

Hi there from Mesa - I'm in a similar boat. I've been in the desert for a long time now, but am trying to become more self-sufficient and am having some success with a small garden on my tiny plot.  I'll be checking out Brad's resources, and am happy to connect with someone else in the area trying to achieve the same goals.  I've very new to permaculture, actually just learned about this forum from a book I'm reading. I'm looking forward to learning more and reducing my carbon footprint.