Spring gardening at the Sedona Library

By David W. Keeber | Sedona Public Library

Sedona, AZ - March 28, 2008 - Spring in Arizona is just about the perfect season. Temperatures are cool but enjoyable, it's breezy and sunny, and everything growing is showing its potential for the coming summer months. I spent much of this past weekend in my vegetable garden, planting, getting watering systems back online, and generally having the time of my life.

If you are of a mind to delve into the soil here in Sedona, you can find plenty of help with the challenges you will face by checking out some of the books on the topic here in the Sedona Public Library. A complete list in this column would be impossible, but let me tell you about a few that are exceptional and locally relevant.

Doing a simple "topic" search using the terms gardening and Arizona will bring up a list that includes Mary Irish's Arizona Gardener's Guide and Gardening in the Desert: A Guide to Plant Selection and Care. Much of the information in these books covers decorative gardens, versus vegetables. Another very helpful book is George Brookbank's The Desert Gardener's Calendar: Your Month-by-Month Guide. This one does cover vegetables as well as flowers, and includes ways to manage pests, soil conditions and the all-important "when to plant and when to harvest."

Zen of Gardening In the High and Arid West by David Wann offers loads of ideas on soil, water conservation, fruit trees and more. While I doubt you will attain enlightenment with this one, you certainly can improve your garden and that might lead to enlightenment.

My focus has been on vegetables, so I use the Rodale Press books with which one can hardly go wrong. But, Peter V. Fossel has written Organic Farming: Everything You Need to Know. This book covers particulars for larger farming operations, but there are plenty of tips that the small garden gardener can use.

Sometimes, the more basic questions need to be answered, such as what to plant in the first place. Three titles bear mentioning to help as you determine what and where to plant. Native Plants for the Southwestern Landscape, by Julie Mielke has a strong slant towards environments further south than Sedona, but she does give lots of great information on native plants for the entire region that includes a description of the plant, its distribution, culture and good suggestions for landscape use. Accompanied by clear pictures, it is a treasure trove as you plan.

Plants for Natural Gardens, by Judith Phillips, is handily divided into climate regions. The Upland and Shrub-Desert and Grassland sections are just the ticket for where we live. This one also has good pictures and descriptions that will ensure you select the right plant for your needs.

Allergies are a problem at this time of year as things bloom, so consider Thomas Ogren's Allergy-Free Gardening: The Revolutionary Guide to Healthy Landscaping. This invaluable guide provides A to Z listings of plants that rate each plant's allergy potential and is zoned for all climates of this region. Now, you can garden and not hate yourself for planting the wrong thing!

Finally, given the fact that we are in a desert, pick up the books we offer about low-water gardening, xeriscape gardening, and drip irrigations systems. Pick up Drip Irrigation For Every Landscape and All Climates, by Robert Kourik. It covers basics on watering systems of every type and is sure to reduce your use of this precious resource. Xeriscape Handbook, by Gayle Weinstein offers ways to make better use of the water that naturally flows across your property, and Johnson and Millard's The Low-Water Flower Gardener is a guide to over 270 unthirsty colorful plants.

Spending time in your garden is one of the best antidotes to life's stresses, but if your work produces little, than it is hardly a help. If you spend a bit of time checking out the many titles the Library offers on local gardening techniques, your chances are much better. Then, your garden will give you the peace and satisfaction you deserve.

Past Library News issues: Sedona Library Archive

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