High Elevation Gardening Web Log "Blog"

First, my garden is close to the house. This proximity allows it to catch lots of rain water from one of the downspouts so the soil stays moist sometimes even into the drier months. We also shovel snow onto the garden from the drive and sidewalks adding both moisture and some nutrients. The house also protects my plot from wind and gives off radiant heat in the cool spring.

My little garden spot is a place I visit often and so I keep it pretty. Plants that aren’t as important to me and ones that I am allergic to live at a distance from my living space. More drought tolerant plants are planted farther away as they need less attention.

Next, I like rocks and my herb garden has many. Rocks give off radiant heat, helping seedlings take root in the spring and the dormant rootstock of perennials to overwinter. These rocks minimize water use by reducing evaporation. I can also strategically move rocks to protect tender plants when I fear the basketball or dog might disturb them.

I have chosen plants that do well in my chilly neighborhood. My edible sage comes back year after year, its grey/green leaves indicating drought tolerance. I obtained my chives by legally raiding a neighbor’s yard where the chives proved their cold hardiness. The columbines and hollyhocks came from a friend’s garden down the road. I am not sure how the daisies or the penstemon got there, but they do well. Yarrow and pussytoes were rescued natives from suburban lots just before construction began.

The oregano came with the house but from a neglected side yard. I thought it was a weed until I smelled its lovely fragrance. It now gets more attention in my herb garden and has grown into a lovely plant with edible leaves.

Another success factor is the size of my garden. It is small, only 8 x 10 feet. It uses more hose water than a true xeriscape but much less than a standard lawn. It is easy to move rocks around and change it year to year. It is also easy and inexpensive to brighten up by adding a few colorful annuals. This year I tried pansies, but the chipmunks ate those.

I learned two new tricks this year to improve my garden. One is to conserve water by installing a soaker hose snaked around the garden and about 4-6 inches under the soil. To water, just turn on the hose for 30 to 45 minutes until you see the soil darken. You will lose little water to evaporation. The second trick is to compost in the garden. Dig holes about 9 to 12 inches deep and put in a small bucket of kitchen scraps (no animal products at all) including lots of coffee grounds. Chop the scraps with a shovel and mix into the soil. Then cover it with a deep layer of soil and put a rock on top to keep dogs and skunks at bay. A month or two later, this stuff will be nicely incorporated into the soil, increasing its fertility.

In short, my garden is successful because my house protects my small garden, I use native and adapted plants, many rocks retain heat and save water, and I enjoy and tend my garden regularly. I think the hose and compost tricks will help, too. Good luck with your garden.

By Jenny Keim
The author is a Master Gardener volunteer for Coconino County Cooperative Extension. If you have a gardening question, call the Master Gardener hotline at 774-1868 ext. 19 or visit our Web site: highelevationgardening.arizona.edu.