So I mentioned one of the resources that I use to grow edibles in a previous post.  But this book, Extreme Gardening: How to Grow Organic in the Hostile Deserts, is written specifically for those us of who want to grow delicious and healthy edibles in Phoenix desert.

It was written by a guy (The Garden Guy) who can often be seen on local TV.  Now, it is not the prettiest gardening book around, but it’s cram-packed with the most relevant content I’ve found ANYWHERE.  Instead of consulting a resource and then checking the climate zone to see if it works here (or trying to apply info about growing edibles elsewhere to the desert), ALL of the info it contains is relative to the less-than-glorious growing conditions found in Phoenix!  (Somewhere I hear angels singing…)

The first part talks about growing conditions:  sun, water, soils, fertilizers, companion plants, etc.  Then it goes into detail for each vegetable, nut, and fruit that can be successfully grown here, including how to pick, plant, water, fertilize, protect, and enjoy each one.  Finally, he deals with how to manage pests organically.

This is one of those books that will get a workout.  I’m secretly hoping that the next printing will include a spiral binding!

One of the horticulturists at the Desert Botanical Garden told me that there are only two chemicals that she uses in her Phoenix desert garden:  glyphosate to kill off Bermuda grass (love that stuff!) and imidacloprid to prevent Agave Snout Weevil infestations.

Agave Snout Weevils are sneaky little pests.  The females will burrow into the base of an Agave, leaving behind a trail of bacteria, and lay their eggs.  When the larvae hatch, they continue to burrow in and feed on the base and roots of the plant.  By the time you notice the leaves wrinkling, the damage will have been done.  Your only recourse is to dig up the plant and all its little friends, seal them in a plastic bag and throw it in the trash.

So prevention is key.  Apply  imidacloprid around the base of the plant in early April and again in late May.  It’s a systemic insecticide so it will translocate throughout the plant and keep females from feeding on it.

By the way…Agave Snout Weevils appear to affect larger Agaves, such as A. americana, more than the smaller varieties such as A. macroacantha and A. victoriae reginae.  Something to think about next time you’re at the nursery!

I recently talked about compost piles and how to add greens, but without browns…well, there’s just no compost.  Or at least healthy, fresh-smelling compost.  And here in the Phoenix desert, good compost is the key to growing great edibles.

Brown materials contain the carbon that balances the nitrogen found in green materials.  Dry leaves make up most of the brown materials that will likely go into your compost pile.  But there are other good sources of browns, too:

• Dry leaves (including dead plant trimmings)
• Shredded paper
• Sawdust (in small amounts)
• Straw (can also be used as mulch)
• Pine needles (in limited quantities)

I mix browns and greens equally, and water and turn in between.  Again, a really good resource for composting–written by a Master Gardener here in Phoenix–is Composting For Dummies.  The book provides more precise information about the how’s and why’s of composting, as well as more general information about bins, tools, and more.