I started by removed the landscape gravel from the area. Then I turned the soil to loosen it and removed the large, buried rocks. (I definitely understand the appeal of raised planting beds!) Two bags of garden soil and a shovel turned the inhospitable area into a great little vegetable patch. The area gets some light afternoon shade, which will help with the intense desert sun.
The plants I chose are:
- Early Girl Tomatoes
- Beefsteak Tomatoes
- Sweet Red Peppers
- Black Beauty Eggplant
- Parthenon Zucchini
- Marigolds
I chose two different varieties of tomatoes to get a longer harvest since Early Girl mature in 50 days and Beefsteak mature in just over 90 days.
The zucchini are from my greenhouse. I started way too many seeds in the greenhouse since last year I did not get any to germinate, so I am happy that the extra plants have a new home.
The other vegetables I purchased as seedlings since my seedlings in the greenhouse are a bit too small to move outside just yet.
I planted the marigolds as a companion plant to the tomatoes. They seem to repel pests and attract pollinators.
The little picket fence in the photo my father-in-law added once my Jack Russell decided she wanted her turn digging in the garden.
I am looking forward to watching the garden grow and to the harvest it will provide! When you don’t know what to give someone, consider the gift of a garden.
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