Learn Regenerative Gardening

Just as there are a wide variety of decomposing mulches to cover and protect your soil, so too are there numerous living mulches to grow.

Moving into December in Tucson, we say goodbye to the warm season.If the first frost hasn't come yet, it will any day now.

Some plants produce sugar which acts as a sort of antifreeze to help see them through frosts and freezes.

Curious whether seed-starting is worth the effort, or if it's better to buy seedlings? Let's dig into it.

Plant health directly correlates with biodiversity. Species are stronger together, and ecosystems need many creatures to attain equilibrium.

Ever wonder whether you can still eat vegetables that are flowering? We'll talk about which veggies are still edible after bolting.

Looking for food crops you can grow with low light requirements? We'll delve into all the low-light food crops here.

Ever had a tray of seedlings that looked like this, you'll know exactly why it's important to know the germination times for different seeds

looking to get into starting your garden seedlings indoors? Let's talk about how to choose a grow light for seedlings.

Gophers are a burrowing rodent and might well show up as a garden pest. Let's talk about how you might deal with gophers in the garden.

As an organic gardener, you may be wondering how to control pests naturally. We all love to see our plants thrive and grow healthy.

Sesame is often overlooked by home gardeners, but it's an awesome plant that produces a lot of seeds and looks great while doing it.

If you've ever experienced an overabundance from the garden, we'll learn how to ferment garden veggies here!

Looking to learn how to grow this tasty radish in your garden? Jump into growing daikon here.

Walls of water can be a great way to extend your gardening season and protect susceptible plants from extreme temperature swings.

We'll cover the primary macronutrients and micronutrients required by plants to grow healthy, and common amendments which contain them.

Looking to get into cover crops but aren't sure which ones? We'll discuss how to determine the best cover crops for you.

Want to learn more about the soil texture triangle and gain a better understanding of your soil composition? This guide is for you.

Tucson encompasses a few different USDA planting zones, depending on what side of town you're growing in.

Sandy soil can be difficult for gardeners and farmers to grow in, but we've got techniques and tips to help make it easy.

Interested in saving water in your Tucson organic garden? Water is a precious resource in the desert, but there are ways to conserve it.

Wondering what you should plant in November if you live in Tucson? This seasonal planting guide is your manual for November gardening!

Looking for how to clean grow bags between uses? We've got the sterilization and washing techniques you're looking for here.

witness the transformation that will make your garlic last until the next planting season with this guide on how to cure garlic for storage.

An extensive list of plant families which are commonly cultivated as food crops, encompassing most edible species which gardeners grow.

root-knot nematodes parasitize the roots of many plants, reducing their ability to uptake water and nutrients.

Curious what to plant in October In Tucson? October is another really busy month for Tucson gardeners! Now we're officially into autumn...

We've all seen the memes that after spending $1,000 you can grow a $2 tomato. Haw haw. And it's true! With caveats. Let's talk about cost.

Curious if peat moss is hydrophobic, and how to rehydrate it? If your peat moss is not absorbing water, follow these instructions.

Fermenting tomato seeds is a great way to increase your tomato seed germination rate and improve seed performance.

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in June? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in June in Tucson.

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in March? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in March in Tucson

Curious what to plant in Tucson in September? September is a super busy month for Tucson gardeners! It's exciting and stressful simultaneous

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in May? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in May in Tucson.

February in the Tucson garden continues the harvesting and planting of cool season root crops and leafy greens. It's not yet time to think..

What should you plant in Tucson in April? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in April in Tucson.

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in January? January in the low desert is a great time. While the rest of the country is months away.

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in August? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in Tucson August

So you wanna know why people actually choose to garden in the desert? We might seem crazy, and us desert growers are a little crazy... but!

This is a simple test, yet its importance shouldn't be overlooked. So why should you test your garden soil pH? Let's dive into it.

Discover why the best soil can only be grown at home and how it will result in healthier plants. Say goodbye to expensive soil forever.

Let's talk about where nitrogen comes from in regenerative gardening systems, and why nitrogen is so important for your plants.

What is intensive planting? Intensive is a method of gardening that maximizes the use of space and time to produce the most...

Phosphorous plays a critical role in food production, soil fertility, and crop yields. Gardeners and farmers rely on this important nutrient

Looking for the best way to water planters? We've got watering tips and tricks for your container plants here!

These soil conglomerates, along with and the pores that they contain define the overall structure of our soil.

Weeds tell you just about everything you need to know about your environment, climate, soil structure, texture, pH, and soil health.

Here in the Sonoran Desert, we've got a unique list of characters who will come to your aid and help keep your plants pollinated.

The Natural Farming method, aka 'Do-Nothing Farming', and why this mindset is important for organic gardeners to understand

Natural gardening takes traditional natural farming methods and scales them down for home-growers to utilize.

So you want to make your own seed-starting mixes and potting soils, huh? Get all the best custom soil mix recipes here.

All the ways that cover crops can be terminated, their efficacy in a variety of situations, and some best methods for specific cover crops.

Want to learn how to start an organic Arizona Garden? Keep reading, we'll outline the basics of organic desert gardening here.

Seed-saving opens up a whole new realm of self-reliance in gardening and farming. Let's talk about how to save garden seeds here

Let's talk about how to prune a fruit tree the right way, and make sure you feel confident doing it. There are a few simple guidelines you..

Acclimating seedlings is especially important when they're going out to harsh conditions. Let's look at how to harden them off successfully.

not all leeks have the white stem that we desire. In this article, we will explore how to get white stems on leeks organically

If you're looking for how to deal with rabbits in the garden, you've come to the right place. We've got rabbit-repelling tips and advice.

Take companion planting guides with a grain of salt, because truly the bro-science runs rampant within this topic.

In the Sonoran desert here, we have exceptionally compacted soils which can be extremely difficult to dig through or break up by hand.

Curious what you should plant in Tucson in July? It's a great time in the low desert! Let's talk about what you can grow in July in Tucson.

did you know that the leaves of the strawberry plant are even more nutrient, rich and beneficial than the berries? That's right!

Not only are they harmless to humans and pets, but black soldier fly larvae also play an important role in composting and soil-building.

Curious what plants you can propagate cuttings from simply in water? We'll list out every plant that'll grow roots in a cup of water.

What's so good about soil blocking anyway? We delve into the pros and cons of this efficient way to start seedlings and reduce waste.

Did you know that soil is naturally hydrophobic? That's right, once soil dries out it it can become difficult to rehydrate.

If you're a gardener in Southern Arizona, let's talk about the invasive garden species to avoid in Tucson...

For a given batch of seeds, the germination rate represents the average viability rate of a sample of seeds - the average success rate...

There are some serious problems with bird netting that you'll want to be aware of before you decide to buy any of it. Let's talk about it...

How to build great soil - your guide for organically building the healthiest soil possible for gardening and commercial growing alike.

Curious about the peat moss controversy and why you should or should not garden with peat moss? Learn more about the problems with peat here

Want to grow tomatoes in the desert? Learn Dirt has your guide to tomatoes in the Sonoran Desert lowlands.

If you're growing just a few stalks, you might find the need to hand-pollinate your corn because the lack of volume could hinder pollination

let's take a look at the mindset of seeing garden pests as indicators, rather than problems themselves. It can be temping to reach for...

I've noticed that using too much compost in my seedling mix has a tendency to burn my seedlings, and cause various nutrient toxicities

If you're curious how to reduce your garden inputs, this guide will help shift your mindset over to a more regenerative and self-sustaining

Today we're diving into the realm of hornworms and their notorious presence in tomato gardens. We'll explore organic holistic solutions.

What exactly is a haploid, a diploid, a triploid, or even a tetraploid watermelon anyway? These represent the number of chromosome sets...

Here we'll discuss how to improve soil quality over time, and consider the time scale in which you're going to do it.

Curious how to attract beneficial insects in Tucson? If you're gardening in Arizona, you're probably no stranger to pests and plant diseases

Each of these common citrus varieties was a cross made by pairing two or more original landrace citrus varieties to create something...

sometimes a butternut squash will break off of the vine, and you'll be left wondering can you eat green butternut squash?

Growing strawberries in Arizona is possible! I've done it and are here to tell you all about how to grow AZ strawberries.

Best cover crops for Tucson are and the timing for each, a rough seasonal guide for what cover crops to plant during each season in Tucson.

Considering growing alfalfa as garden cover crop in Arizona? Here's what you should know: growing the next layer of new nitrogen right among

Curious if you can make soil blocks using only compost? I tried it, and I've got the results here - check it out!

Irrigation can be especially important if you garden in arid or semi-arid climates. This guide covers all things garden irrigation!

Want to learn about composting cardboard? Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create rich soil for your garden or plants.

If you're looking for Tucson average first / last frost dates of the season for gardening, you're in the right place.

Want to learn about the components of soil and understand what exactly dirt is comprised of? Read all about the components of soil here.

Looking for a better alternative to ollas? Learn more about the better options for watering your container & raised bed plants here!

Can you bury a plant stem? Wondering if you can bury a plant when transplanting? Want to know which plants you can bury stems? Find out here

Wondering how to deal with mosquitos in the garden? We know how annoying these little pests can be, and we've got tips and tricks to help!

When does basil grow in the Sonoran Desert, you ask? As with most plants, there are many varieties of basil! Some are better-adapted...

If you've ever asked yourself: why should I plant cover crops? You're not alone! Cover crops can be confusing, but we break it all down here

Let's talk about how plant cuttings can survive in just water, how long they can do that, and dive into the science behind it.

I've included this glossary of terms as a way to acquaint yourself with the wonderful world of regenerative gardening.

This is your guide to growing potatoes in the desert. If you're an avid desert gardener, you may be wondering if it's even possible...

Zucchini and summer squash tips turn brown and leathery before they're ripe, you may have wondered what causes blossom end rot on zucchini.

By cultivating a garden, you get to bear witness to the interconnectedness of all things. The garden serves as a physical manifestation of..

Curious about the relationship between regenerative gardening and systems thinking? Gardening is more than just planting seeds...

Want to learn how to create a regenerative Tucson garden? This one's for you. it can be challenging to garden in such a hot, dry desert.

Wondering how to deal with fungus gnats? We've got suggestions and tricks on how to get rid of these annoying little critters.

I know you're frustrated with the garden damage from these critters and wondering "how do I deal with ground squirrels in the garden?"

Here we'll help you build the foundational desert gardening knowledge that will support your success as a drylands grower.

Wondering if you can grow cover crops with cash crops, and why you might do that?Cover crops are an excellent way to improve soil health...

Are roly polys bad for your garden? Let's take a closer look at these funny little isopods and decide whether they're a pest or friend.

Also known as vernalization, refrigerating seeds is an artificial way to fool them into "thinking" they've gone through winter.

Trap crops are grown to take some of the pest pressure off of your main crops, by being even more attractive to pests.

Oats can be a cornerstone for your winter cover and soil-building. If you're curious about using oats as a winter cover in Tucson...

Korean Natural Farming (KNF) recognizes and stresses the important of diverse microbial populations for soil health.

Before it has fully transformed into something soil-like. While compost is not typically used before it's done, unfinished compost does...

What's wrong with using Miracle-Gro in the garden? Miracle-Gro is a popular brand of synthetic fertilizer that has been used for decades...

Why is crop rotation important? Crop rotation is an essential technique used by farmers and gardeners to maintain healthy soil...

You may have heard the term "chill hours" in the context of fruit trees and also nut trees - but what even are chill hours?

Are your Swiss chard seedlings falling over? We've got some tips and tricks here for growing great Swiss chard from seed.

Succession planting is the key to continual garden harvests all throughout the season. Master this technique with the tips and tricks here!

Want to know what to plant each month in Tucson? Come check out these Tucson monthly planting guides for crops and timing.

Your guide to undercrop shorter covers underneath taller main crops. In a regenerative context, this often means low-growing cover crops..

Tucson gives us the best of both worlds with a choice of hardneck or softneck, garlic, as well as a shorter 7 month garlic season

Regenerative agriculture revolves around the idea that we should build and improve soil quality over time, by giving more than we take.

...growing organically or are interested in getting into it, we'll go over everything you need to know about growing with zero synthetics.

...where water is more scarce and more expensive. A great way to combat this is through rainwater gardening.

Choosing between hardneck or softneck garlic means understanding your climate, as well as the needs of both garlic types. We'll compare...

Gardeners looking to make their own calcium + magnesium mix can grab the organic calmag recipe for plants here.

Swiss chard doesn't take well to the extreme heat of summer in the low desert, but once the daytime temperatures drop below 100F.

Wondering how to grow napa cabbage? As a fairly heat-tolerant brassica, napa brings resilience and flavor to your garden.

Cowpeas (aka black-eyed peas) are known for their tolerance of sandy soils and low rainfall. Keep reading to learn how to dry cowpeas.

Whiteflies can be a huge pain for gardeners, but there are a ton of options for how to get rid of whiteflies naturally.

Ever wonder if it's possible to grow chickpeas from store-bought? It absolutely is! Let's talk about how to do it...

Composting IS gardening. If you know how to make incredible compost, plants will (almost) grow themselves!

Never buy grocery store lettuce again! Growing lettuce is quick and easy, and we've got tons of tips and tricks for you.

Fortunately, there are many Miracle-Gro alternatives that can help us achieve the same results without harming the environment.

Here, we'll explore the basics of Keyline design, its applications in arid landscapes, and how it can revolutionize desert gardening.

Hügelkultur is a German technique used by gardeners and farmers which involves filling plots, mounds, or raised beds primarily with wood...

We'll talk about how to get your slips started, rooted, and growing. Let's jump right into how to grow sweet potato slips!

Starting plants from seed is one of the most freeing parts of gardening. Let's jump into how to start plants from seed indoors...

Learn how to make compost tea for your garden in this comprehensive guide. Discover the secrets of bubbling up a potent elixir.

While tilling has been a standard practice in traditional gardening, it's important to understand the benefits of the no-till method.

Looking for instructions on how to sterilize and reinoculate soil? You found 'em! Let's talk about the whole process of renewing your soil.

It all comes down to the magical process of curing. We'll look at how to cure butternut squash for ultimate storage-readiness.

Interested in learning about growing mushrooms between garden beds? Fungi are just as likely to inhabit a garden as plants - maybe moreso!

Growing ginger is easy! Start with an organic hand of ginger from a farmers market or grocery store...

Cabbage worms aren't worms at all! They're caterpillars and they absolutely LOVE cabbage and other brassicas.

Curing converts some of the starches into sugars, which is where the "sweet" part comes in. Let's talk about how to cure sweet potatoes.

How to cure my compost: Composting is a fantastic way to turn food scraps and yard waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for your garden

There plenty of ways to build a narrow garden tunnel. If you need to span and narrower width like I had to (32"), you might find...

many gardeners struggle with how to sow seeds into the cover crop residue. In this post, we will discuss how to sow in cover crop residue...

Wondering how to deal with thrips? Here, we'll talk about what thrips are, what they do, and most importantly - how you can deal with them.

Looking for info on why / how curing produce for storage works? Welcome in!When you buy produce at the grocery store, none of it is cured.

If you're looking to learn more about growing dwarf blue curled kale, this is the place. I love this variety!

Today we're discussing how empiricism relates to gardening, and what that means for you as a gardener. Empiricism is an epistemological...

In this guide, we will explore the key steps involved in composting in small spaces and provide tips for successful composting

Fermented plant juice is a concept derived from the Korean Natural Farming (KNF) method developed by Master Han Kyu Cho.

If you're an organic gardener, you may have heard of the term "chop and drop" before. This approach to gardening is gaining popularity...

If you've got limited space but still want to learn to garden, this guide is for you! Let's jump into gardening in small spaces here and...

There are a few means of controlling compost bioactivity. You can utilize adjustments to moisture level, aeration, and additions all...

Looking for the best composting methods for the Arizona desert? Composting is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact

Can you grow apricot from a root sucker? If so, what will it produce - will the fruit be the same fruit as the parent tree?

If you've got an organic pepper from the farmer's market, you may have wondered whether the seeds are viable for growing your own...

Air layering plants is an easy propagation technique which works well on trees, shrubs, and woody canes.

As a gardener, you may have experienced the frustration of seeing aphids infesting your precious brassicas. These tiny, soft-bodied insects.

Cover crops are grown specifically to improve soil health. Cover crops help to protect and enrich the soil in a number of ways...

Are plants intelligent? That's a question that has been asked throughout the ages - but today modern science gives us new insight. Read here

Today, we'll look at 10 ways to deal with cucumber beetles, those pesky critters that can wreak havoc on our cucumber plants.

To many gardeners, birds in the garden are only seen as an annoying nuisance. Let's learn to see birds as garden pest prevention though.

Learn how to attract hummingbirds to your garden by using bugs as bait. Discover why sugar-water feeders may do more harm than good...

Looking to boost your organic garden's health without the use of pesticides? Learn all about beneficial insects for organic gardening

Your job is to gently guide your ecosystem in a healthy and sustainable direction. Let's jump into balancing your permaculture ecosystem.

Curious what to do about alkaline soil? We've got some advice and tricks for dealing with dirt that's too basic

Ants in the garden can be a common sight, and many gardeners may try to get rid of them. However, before reaching for the insecticides...

There's less balance, less diversity, and less life when you farm a monocrop than when you grow a garden of allow native plants to thrive.

Compost and soil are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually refer to two very different things. While they are...

Grubs help to break down organic matter in soils and to aerate those soils while doing so. This improves soil quality, drainage, moisture...