Starting Garden in June

Hi all,

I'm new here and new to SFG. I live in Chandler and am planning to start my SFG in June. I have already started some seeds a few days ago (watermelon, tomatoes, giant pumpkins and canteloupes). After doing some browsing it seems I may be too late in the game for the tomatoes but hopefully will be okay with the others. Not sure if I should put the giant pumpkins in the SFG or not.

What do you think about starting a garden now? What other types of veggies can I grow starting in June?

Where is the best place to find vermiculite here in Chandler? Thanks.

Hi AZDYJ2K,
I'm not in your area so I can't address your questions but I did want to say welcome to the Forum & best of luck with your SFG.

to the forum. There's one source of V in Chandler that is listed in the V database. If you find others, please list them. You can find out how, by clicking the link in my sig.

Some of us can only dream about the sunshine and heat factors you have to deal with! I'm sure someone from your region will have some planting suggestions.

Happy Gardening

Darn, I just wrote you a long letter and I lost it

Well, I know you can plant grn. beans, carrots, sw. corn, sw. potato, winter squash. Home Depot has tamatoes one sale 2 for 3 dollars this weekend only.
Whatever plants already started will probably be okay if they are big enough. I got my vermiculite at Home Depot.

If you haven't already, make your beds deeper than the 6 inches other climates can use. We need it in the desert and you probably will need to water more often and pay attention to mulch and shade. Beware the whiteflies, they are back! Get some Ladybugs or Lacewings. My advice, if this is your first attempt, is stay small until fall. It's already hot and going to get hotter.

Read old messages and take notes of anything that may be helpful in our climate.

The 2 books I have gotten the most valuable info from are Sunset Southwestern Garden and Desert Gardening, The Complete Guide by George Brookbank. They have lists of what to plant and when and a lot more useful info that can be used in the SFG.

Good luck I loved it when I lived in Chandler. Well, except for the goat next door and that's another story altogether

Janet in Surprise

boffer wrote:

Some of us can only dream about the sunshine and heat factors you have to deal with! I'm sure someone from your region will have some planting suggestions.

Happy Gardening

Boffer, Sunshine is great for plants. But I'd rather have the moonshine.

(The scarecrow made me say that.)

johnfromfl wrote:
Boffer, Sunshine is great for plants. But I'd rather have the moonshine.
(The scarecrow made me say that.)

A couple more bad ones like that and I'll let you start putting the groaners in the scroller!

boffer wrote:

A couple more bad ones like that and I'll let you start putting the groaners in the scroller!

OK Boffer, I'll take the place of the scarecrow for the remainder of the day.


AZDYJ2K, I forgot to say good luck with your SFG the last time I posted.

Thanks to all for the warm welcome and advice.

I am sure Chandler is year round garden territory so no worries. I saw some almost mature tomatoes at the garden center here the other day. Just call it catching up.

I too would think you could plant the summer stuff. Then would think you could get year round growing conditions too with the right covering over your plants. I know being in zone 8 I plan for a green house sort of thing to keep me in tomatoes and bell peppers all winter and I hope my herbs. Let us know how things go for you
Ha-v-v