By Brooke Curley
GRAHAM COUNTY – The birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and the weather is warm. This means it’s time for the local green thumbs to think about their gardens.
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Nancy Schauman: An avid gardener, Nancy Schauman’s garden has already given up the bounty of the earth early in the year.
Although the official first day of spring isn’t until March 20, several local gardeners have already planted and even harvested the fruits of their labor. Nancy Schauman is a self-proclaimed gardening lunatic.
“I am a devoted crazy gardener growing turmeric, ginger, cardamon, all citrus, apple, peach, fig, kumquat (and) olive trees,” Shauman said. “(I’m) currently harvesting broccoli, favas, peas, beets, carrots, kale, mustard, romaine, bok choy, Swiss chard, turnips (and) many herbs.”
Although Schauman is an experienced gardener, she always has troubles with berries in the Gila Valley climate.
“I find berries very difficult to grow and tomatoes are hit and miss,” she said. “Rhubarb is almost impossible and sour cherry trees won’t grow at my elevation. Now, these things will grow up on Mount Graham because it is cooler than down in the Valley. I plan to try elderberries again after speaking to a specialist in elderberries, who contends that they will grow anywhere.”
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Joe Johnson: Watershed management specialist Joe Johnson stresses soil revitalization as key to a garden’s success.
Joe Johnson is an educator who is trained in permaculture and watershed management/restoration. He stresses the revitalization of soil as one of the most important aspects to a healthy garden. He suggested purchasing minerals and implementing the oldest type of compost – manure.
“Alkalinity is very high here,” Johnson said. “Good biological amendments will help (the) best long term, but some minerals will help right away. You might ask Sparky at Home Depot for what’s best. Ruth Ann is good too. Get some of the worm compost from them and go over to the fairgrounds and pick up some horse manure. It’s free.”
Although some individuals in the Gila Valley have only begun to plant their gardens, others have already had their crops bear fruit. Johnson said everything is different because of the way last year concluded.
“Nothing is right this year,” he said. “It’s all out of whack because of how last year ended. I have things that started blooming now that normally don’t this soon. Some trees never lost their leaves this winter, while others froze with leaves on them. I have no idea what will happen now other than what I see growing already.”
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Liz McCray: Pictured is a field planted with painted mountain corn and ancient wheat Khorasan.
List of Local Planting Dates
First frost: Nov. 11-20
Last frost: East of Thatcher, Apr. 11-20. West of Thatcher, Apr. 21-30
Chill hours: 1,000-1,500
CROP DATE
Asparagus Oct 1 – Mar 1
Bean (bush) Mar 1 – Apr 1, Jul 15 – Aug 15
Bean (pole) Jul 15 – Aug 10
Bean (Lima) Mar 1 – Apr 1
Bean (edible soy) Apr 1 – Jun 1
Beet Aug 1 – Jul 15
Broccoli Jul 25 – Aug 1
Brussel Sprouts Aug 15 –Oct 1
Cabbage (seed) Aug 1 – Dec 1
Cabbage (plant) Sep 1 – Feb 1
Cantaloupe Mar 15 – Jun 1
Carrot Aug 15 – Mar 15
Cauliflower (seed) Aug 1 – Dec 1
Cauliflower (plant) Sep 1 – Feb 1
Celery Aug 1 –Oct 15
Chard Aug 15 – Apr 1
Chinese Cabbage Aug 15 – Jan 15
Collard Sep 1 – Jan 15
Corn (sweet) Mar 15 – Apr1, Jul 15 –Aug 15
Corn (Mexican) Jul 1 – Jul 5
Cucumber Mar 20 – May 15, Aug 1 – Sep 1
Eggplant Apr 1 – May 15
Endive Sep 1 – Feb 1
Garlic Sep 1 – Jan 1
Horseradish Nov 1 – Feb 1
Kale Aug 15 – Feb 15
Kohlrabi Sep 1 – Feb 1
Leek Sep 1 – Jan 15
Lettuce (head) Sep 1 – Jan 15
Lettuce (leaf) Aug 20 – Apr 1
Muskmelon Apr 1 – Jul 15
Mustard Sep 1 – Feb 1
Okra Apr 1 – Jun 15
Onion (green, bunch) Aug 15 – Feb 1
Onion, dry (seeds) Oct 15 – Jan 1
Onion, (dry sets) Nov 1 – Feb 15
Parsley Sep 1 – Jan 15
Parsnip Sep 1 – Jan 15
Pea (fall) Aug 15 – Sep 15
Pea (spring) Feb 1 – Mar 15
Pepper (seed) Feb 15 – Mar 15
Pepper (plants) Apr 1 – Jun 1
Potato (Irish) Feb 15- May 1
Potato (sweet) May 1 – Jun 15
Pumpkin Apr 1 – Jul 15
Radish Aug 5 – May 1
Rhubarb Oct 1 – Mar 1
Rutabaga Aug 20 – Mar 1
Salsify Oct 1 – Dec 1
Spinach Aug 20 – Mar 1
Squash (summer) Mar 15 – Jul 15
Squash (winter) Jul 1 – Jul 31
Tomato (seed) Jan 10 – Feb 15
Tomato (plant) Mar 15 – Apr 15
Turnip Aug 15 – Mar 1
Watermelon Mar 15 – Jun 1
Source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GilaValleyGardeners
Contributed Photo/Courtesy Dusti Brantner: Dusti Brantner’s garden consists of pumpkin, watermelon, cucumbers, carrots, okra, tomatoes, potatoes, radishes, and corn.
