Hi SW Gardeners! I just wanted to pop in and encourage all of you during this heat wave we are having.... It's our first 3-digit stent this year and I doubt it'll be letting up anytime soon. I've made the mistake of getting out too late in the morning and paid the price - having my energy drained. So, try to get out early, early for your morning chores! It won't last forever, so hang in there!!

I pulled my shade screen a few days back to protect my veggies, but with today's high at 107, I took it to the next level and covered the watermelon as well. My corn is not doing well this year.... I think it was too cool this spring. I expected a harvest on Memorial Day, and here I am at Fathers Day and just now getting ears.... Not looking promising. Oh, well, at least I'll have some harvest decorations for the kiddos this October....

Stay cool and healthy!! Happy Summer!?

Hi Gina!

It has been a beastly week in Tucson. Every day over 100 and the last two days at 110. 107 right now. I agree if you do not get up very early which for me a lot of times is between 5 and 6 in the morning you will melt. I have a couple hundred pots that have to be watered every morning and now with this very high heat some need a second watering in the afternoon. Looking forward to fall and winter!

Hello again, Linda! Yes, a beastly week, indeed! I set my timer every two hours to give my animals a mist session and it's really bearing down this afternoon. And, you are spot on with the 6 a.m. watering schedule... it's almost as if summer in AZ brings us a split day (early mornings/late nights) having a long siesta in between! Even with the heat of the day, it's pretty hard to beat the warm starry nights!

I'm trying melon/squash for the first time this year: watermelon, muskmelon, pumpkin, eggplant and butternut. I haven't seen any fruit set just yet, but the vines are looking good, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some refreshing, sweet fruits. The zucchini and yellow crocked neck are happy and the cucumbers did superb last year, so I'm confident with them. I'm having so much fun gardening, I'm so glad to have jumped in!!

I desperately need some color and flowers, Quietyard, but the cottontail eat everything I put out! If it's not fenced, it's gone... my beautiful first year goji berry got hit hard even with a fence. Sigh, the challenges... Sometimes I think the man versus nature is part of the determination gardeners seem to acquire... I guess I'm going to have to go high and elevate as your do with your container garden! Any suggestion on where to buy large pots at a good price?

Stay cool and hydrated, Linda, cooler weather is only a couple months away!

I hear you on the creature attacks. We had pack rats eating my plants during the very early spring. I used non-killing traps and removed 4 of them far out into the desert. The birds strip other things. It is work for sure. Would love to hear about how your plants do this summer. I have some pumpkin vines but have had to put shade up for them, they are frying.

I have not found any good sources for inexpensive large pots. I get smaller ones at the Dollar type stores for flowers.

Here's some photos of our pumpkins, Linda.... Planted under the corn.

And fenced in - away from critters!

Here's a snap shot of what we have overall.... Hope you like them!






Squash above




Kale, cauliflower, green beans (for seed now), with muskmelon and cucs in back



Watermelon




Asparagus - first year in ground




Muscadine grapes





Brussels sprouts

I am impressed, things look good! I like that they are shaded and love the picnic table in the midst! No flowers yet on my pumpkin vines. Not sure they are going to make it. They are sort of growing in a big container that the bottom fell out of so they start in good amended potting soil but then must penetrate really bad ground. for the garden tour!

Thank you, Linda! I'm still very new to gardening, so it's really nice to receive compliments! The bed we have our pumpkin in was loaded up with top soil and A LOT of rabbit manure and straw. I'm thinking the nitrogen level may be what's negatively affecting the corn as last season we got a nice crop, but it was in the raised bed.... First time growing pumpkins, so we'll see how they do. I was thinking about cutting down the corn stalks after harvest (if any), but after your experience, I might be better to let them be? I don't know.... I'm thinking the pumpkins need the room and the water... I'll probably chop them and put up a shade if needed.

Thanks again for touring the garden with me!!

I would probably cut them down but am no expert in corn growing. I think raised beds are the best way to go in the soils out here. Yes, the pumpkins are going to need lots of room and lots of water.

Have a nice evening and I am sure we will visit more as the summer progresses. Depending on my old computer which is dying out.

I look forward to it, Linda.

Hi Linda!

Hope all is going well with you this fine day.

Well, I've taken out most of my corn.... It was a really bad year for corn. The few ears we had were sporadically pollinated, so the hens ended up with a nice treat! I think either the heat came too late for them, the hot winds dried them out, or just overall poor soil... I'm not sure, but it was a bust. However, the pumpkin seem to like the sunshine! I hope the soil is adequate for them as I sure am hoping to get a nice crop of sugar pumpkin.

Oh, my watermelon is setting fruit as are the muskmelon! Too many leaves to see how the Cubs are coming along. Looks like we've got a slight reprieve from heat coming this week!

Hi

The watermelon looks great!!! I think corn has to be planted pretty early because the heat messes up the pollinating. Always something her isn't there?? We FINALLY got a bit or rain about 4:00 this afternoon. Amounted to .10 only but glad for any.