March 28, 2024 9:35 AM
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Gardening for Newcomers to Mountain Landscapes – Ken Lain

High altitude gardening is different from gardening at lower elevations.  Combine our altitude with Arizona’s dry climate, bright air, and ever-present mountain winds, and you pretty much can forget what you learned from gardening in other parts of the country!  The high country of Arizona is unique, from how its soils respond to water or lack thereof.  If you’ve moved from the deserts or low country of Southern California, you really, REALLY need to read on to learn how to be a successful gardener in these conditions.

Our local USDA garden zone is 7 with a definite influence from zone 8. This defines our area as mild, with a distinct winter of nightly freezing temperatures.   The secret when buying plants is to look for those that grow in zones 7 and lower.  Stay away from growing desert plants meant for zones 10 and 11.

Low winter temperatures provide the chilling necessary to grow all the deciduous fruits and perennials that thrive in colder climates. The list includes apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, and berries. This climate also is conducive to blooming deciduous shrubs such as lilacs, forsythias, hardy camellias, rose of Sharons, butterfly bushes, and Russian sages.

We garden 12 months of the year because of our mild seasons.  Broccoli, spinach, lettuces, cabbages, and Brussels sprouts are available at the garden center now and should be planted late winter to early spring with expected harvest before Mothers Day. Warm season crops are planted in May.  Few places in the country allow these two-season harvests.  Local Vegetable Planting Calendar.

Our best winter-blooming flowers include pansies, snapdragons, violas, dusty millers, Johnny-jump-ups, and ornamental kale. Our mild cool season is a boon for gardeners who grow for color. A splash of flowers blooming through the snow is an oasis of cheer during our winters.  All are available at the garden center now and can be planted right away. I fully expect my garden to provide brilliant color every  month of the year.

Never underestimate the Arizona sun, wind, and dry air at these higher elevations.  They are major influences in determining which plants do well in our landscapes, and which don’t. Informed selectivity is essential when choosing plants for an Arizona mountain landscape. This region does best with plants that have thick, leathery leaves because they allow plants to retain extra moisture and to be less prone to tearing during the area’s fierce windstorms. This is when it pays to talk to a gardening expert with experience dealing with local landscapes; it can save you a whole lot of time, energy, and expense in creating your landscape.

Mountain soils change from home to home, even on the same street.  In many landscapes, the soil in the front yard is different from that in the backyard!  You need to learn how plants react in each new garden location.  Local soils typically are either sandy or heavy clay with very little organic material. Therefore, soil preparation for planting is of extreme importance. It demands the addition of organic mulch to your soil to either hold in the moisture for granite soils, or to keep clay soils from compacting. Our soil is alkaline, so don’t add either lime or wood ashes as they increase its already high pH. Instead, local gardens benefit from Soil Sulfur that lowers the soil’s pH.

National Forest lands surround us, so mammals can be an issue for local gardeners. javelinas, deer, antelope, rabbits, squirrels, and gophers all have the potential to devour portions of a carefully planned landscape. Garden here for more than a season, and you quickly find local gardeners that either gave up because of the critters or have found ways to garden with them.  Local Deer and Rabbit Resistant Plant List.

February’s Plant of the Month is the perennial beauty blooming with others in the gardens are still sleeping. Introducing Ice & Roses Lenton Rose, a captivating addition to any garden landscape. With its delicate, snow-white blooms contrasting against deep green foliage, this resilient perennial brings a touch of elegance to even the coldest winter days. Ice & Roses thrives in challenging conditions, from frosty winters to scorching summers, making it a reliable and low-maintenance choice for both novice and seasoned gardeners alike. Its compact size and bushy habit make it ideal for borders, containers, or as a focal point in mixed beds. Whether adorning a quaint cottage garden or a modern urban landscape, Ice & Roses Lenton Rose is sure to enchant with its enduring beauty and enduring charm, making it a must-have for every garden enthusiast.

Learn more at a free garden class. The spring class schedule is up, and next week, we will go deep into tips, trick and local garden hacks,so join the garden fun. Here’s the 2024 Garden Classes lineup and the following few classes.

February 10 @ 9:30 am: Top 10 Trees for Fresh Fruit

 

February 17 @ 9:30 am: Gardening for Newcomers

 

February 24 @ 9:30 am: Evergreens that Bloom in Early Spring

 

Until next week, I’ll be helping local gardeners plant healthier fruit trees here at Watters Garden Center.

 

Ken Lain can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or Top10Plants.com.

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