Desert Vegetable Gardens

(Page three of three)

Water use: irrigation and mulch

Keep soils moist to sprout the seeds and irrigate only enough to keep the root zone wet after the plants are established. Irrigation every 7-10 days should be enough when temperatures are below 100°, but irrigate twice weekly when daily highs exceed 100°. Remember, your plants need less water in the cooler season. After the plants are established, fertilize with a well-balanced garden fertilizer. Water thoroughly after fertilizing so the nutrients are carried to the root zone. The most important times to water fruiting crops, like tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers, are when the flowers are forming and when the vegetables or pods are developing. Leafy vegetables need more frequent watering.

Keep seedlings and young plants well watered. Night watering and drip irrigation can nurture your garden through the summer. Increase deep watering to three times a week. Inconsistent watering will diminish yields, and what can be harvested will be poor in quality. Lack of soil moisture causes blossom end rot in tomatoes, peppers, and other vegetables and turns cucumbers bitter. Refresh mulches regularly to shade soil and conserve moisture. Tend to your tomatoes and peppers by mulching the soil surface and covering the plants with shade cloth to prevent sunburn.

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Page one: Overview, vegetable types, and garden location (shade).
Page two: Soil preparation and planting times.
Page three: Irrigation for vegetables.