June 19

One of the greatest things in the world is to be able to walk out to the garden and pick your dinner or at least part of your dinner.  It's the payoff to the hard work of gardening.  While I'm still waiting for tomatoes, the carrots and potatoes are enough to hold me over.  With homegrown garlic and onions one of my favorite things to do is simply roast them in the oven with some fresh herbs.  Roasting intensifies the flavors and sweetness of the vegetables.  It makes a nice dish on its own or as a complement to any meat dish. 

As for my tomatoes, as you can see, they are a ways away from being ripe but I have lots of fruit on the vines.  Since tomatoes don't usually set much fruit in the hottest part of the summer, it's nice to know that I have something to look forward to as the temperature goes up. 



July isn't something most of us look forward to.  After the fireworks of July 4th celebrations I think most of us want to hibernate away from the heat.  While I know it's tempting, there are still things you can do in the garden.  The monsoons are coming and it is a nice time to plant native or drought tolerant perennials.  The monsoon rains (assuming we get them) are perfect for jump-starting desert adapted plants.  Also plant melons and squash.  Native Seed Search in Tucson has many varieties that have been cultivated by Native Americans for centuries that are specifically adapted to monsoon rainfall.    They also have a store in Tucson if you happen to be driving through.

Just remember if the rains don't show up, you will have to water.  Everyone do a rain dance!

Native Seed Search
http://www.nativeseeds.org/
Store location and mail orders:
3061 N. Campbell Avenue. Tucson, AZ 85719
Phone: 520-622-5561
Toll Free: 866-622-5561
Fax (orders welcome): 520-622-5591
Summer Store Hours (June 1st - August 31st):
Monday thru Saturday - 10 am - 5 pm.  Closed on Sunday.