How to Have a Successful Garden in the Desert or Anywhere Top 10 Tips

[@BlackDogDesigns]

You hit the nail on the head! Being a desert gardener myself the struggle is real! Often times more things die than grow so it is a delicate dance! But I am also proud of my accomplishments in such extreme conditions 🌻

[@DaKineGardenStuff]

Appreciate your tips! We moved to Las Vegas 3 years ago and are learning how to grow a vegetable garden in the desert. This year we put up shade cloth, where the plants get early morning and afternoon sun, so they're protected during the hottest time of the day. The plants are happy. Last year we put in ollas and that has helped to keep plants watered when they are thirsty. We also grow compost worms. Besides adding a few worms to the garden bed, we add worm castings to the plants weekly prior to watering which has resulted in the bad bugs being minimal to nonexistent and the plants growing quicker and stronger. We have so many worms now that we sell them and worm castings.

[@jycfrnkl]

I'm going to be moving to vegas soon. It will probably be a little bit before I can get a garden up and going but what's the best way for me to contact you about the worms/castings? Do you have a facebook page? My sister grows a desert garden inland in CA and I really want to get something going in Vegas. I just love it.

[@DaKineGardenStuff]

@@jycfrnkl please email me [e-mail] when you're ready.

[@cd3dnw]

Where did you get the ollas at? I live in Vegas as well and this week I’m putting in a raised garden bed and really want to maximize every drop of water.

[@Peppersfirst]

I wish I was your neighbor John. I'd compete with you on growing food and herbs then I'd share it with you. Which is what I wish all humans would do.

[@kevintunaley5079]

that would be really cool, between the both of you, you could have all the food one would ever want or need.

[@Peppersfirst]

@@kevintunaley5079 Absolutely. And if we were all of that mindset we'd be in great shape.

[@kevintunaley5079]

@@Peppersfirst my end goal in that type situation would be to bring fresh food to the local food banks and help feed those in bad situations

[@Peppersfirst]

@@kevintunaley5079 I like that idea. Many may be in a bad situation in the near future. I'm positioning myself to be of service incase it happens. Getting my winter greens cranked out as much as I can.

[@Boxbeat666]

Sounds like back door communism 🤣🤣🤣 joking

[@SmallSeeds]

Thanks for the tips. It's amazing how much you have grown over the years in such a difficult climate. Definitely inspiring!

[@marypaino1327]

Hand watering in the high dessert successfully. Celery, peppers, tomatoes, okra, 2 types of cukes, 3 types tomatoes, corn, 5 types of squash, potatoes, chard and more. Use shade cloth, trees and sunflowers

[@betrueALLWAYS]

WOW!!!! way to go⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!!

[@annburge291]

I also find hand watering easier because I can control the amount of water.

[@marypaino1327]

@@annburge291 Big downfall is when there is a watering ban. Like John said all it takes is one day of desert heat and bam, its gone in a day

[@annburge291]

@@marypaino1327 We have a house in the city and a block just outside. Before we dug a well the block received water for one hour once a week. If the neighbours shut our tap so they could receive more, sometimes we had a three week gap. Yes a lot of newly planted seedlings died. Very frustrating. The fascinating thing is how much survived applying permaculture techniques ..no till, planting trees from seed, deep mulch, vertical water pipes, planting annuals in tree wells, having many nitrogen fixing trees.. ironically we had one neighbour sabotaging our trees because the grass was green were his grass was brown and dry. He had assumed we were stealing his ration of water. At the house the plants receive a daily watering because I use our grey water and 500 l max of municipal water for green leafy vegetables. Ironically the blocks plants growing amongst the grasses are stronger and healthier than the house plants that have a more tidy appearance. We do eat a lot of weeds such as nopal, amaranth, purslane, carrot tops, mulbury leaves... What do you grow?

[@annburge291]

@@marypaino1327 You have said.

[@firewoman911]

Thank you!! I have watched your video’s for years and started watching when I lived in Michigan. 2022 we moved to Vegas & my love for gardening was only successful in Vegas temperatures due to you. So, again… Thanks for being the educator for everyone in all climate types.

[@tiffinih8457]

Vegas dweller here. I can't believe I just found your channel. Somewhat new to gardening but have no yard. I have occupied every empty corner of my apartment with pots. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@Kathysart]

You are just incredible! You help people grow for life. Everybody else is hoarding advice for a buck. It’s incredible.

[@ScottysAnimals]

I live in Joshua Tree. I watched your video about setting up an automatic irrigation system and it was amazing but yes my tomato plants grew vegetative outta control and never produced fruit until very late fall but nothing ever ripened. I'm excited for this video

[@skeeterburke]

Our pumpkin plants are all putting out plenty of male flowers but no female flowers or fruit. I think it goes back to our clay rich soil that doesn't retain moisture very well, making it hard for the plant to get nutrients. I suppose I could fertilize with a potassium rich mix, but this is our first time and I already have okra thats doing fine with keeping me busy

[@cristinasantana6141]

I live in Cathedral City and I had the same problem this year 😪

[@ScottysAnimals]

One thing I could mention is I have been growing amazing amounts of sprouts on my window sill from following the suggestions in the book year round indoor salad gardening by Peter Burke. Well worth the investment if you want fresh salad greens every day all year. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIu6koeNeb5jrs0

[@Ded-Ede]

South Florida here. Super hot 90° and climbing every year with intense humidity. Humid desert 🏜 here. Lol. I’m planting as much sun and heat tolerant shade creating plants as possible. Propagating lots of perennial ground cover plants like sweet potatoes, lemon thyme, purslane.

[@That.Void.Though]

Thanks so much for the tips. I am an avid garderner who has lived mostly in washington and idaho previous to moving to vegas a few months ago, its an extremely different climent here. I've been doing a lot of research on how to grow here, so that come spring I can get a garden going and this has been SUPER helpful. thank you!

[@melissadougherty7662]

Desert gardening is quiet the challenge especially since I come from Alabama at sea level and now I am in southeast Arizona at almost 5000 ft above. Shade is necessary and 2x a day watering. But also, learning about the climate zones you have in your yard is very useful as is perennial veggies. John thanks so much for your info on gardening.

[@bobertcronos8433]

I live in morenci and i am not having much luck with anything but I'm still trying new things. Do you have anything that worked for you?

[@THEERDCO]

Just found your channel today! Love it! I'm in Vegas and we are starting our garden now. Hauling out rocks this weekend!

[@Iloveorganicgardening]

Thumbs up John. We have had some heat here this summer but not as hot as last year and not as hot as you have it there!

[@StaceyMangani]

I’m in Vegas too! Your garden is gorgeous! Thank you for the tips!

[@NashvilleMonkey1000]

John, for the adjoining rock garden, bring in some shade cloth covers and it should extend your microclimate making it cooler for your area too~ Totally worth it!

[@annburge291]

Sun: we find that morning to midday sun is the best. Yes, sun at the hottest time of day which seems counterintuitive) Any plant in the shade gets totally attacked by insects such as white fly. It's really important to make the bugs feel too hot to hang around. Dappled shade with a nitrogen fixing tree such as Mezquite helps after 2:00 pm. We get hot winds in the afternoon and they can dry out leaves. Wind protection is more critical than sun exposure.

[@SouthernCaliforniaGardening]

we’re growing in a desert like climate also.. we have to get Very creative😁btw we started growing tree collards from seeds we bought from u, we LOVE them! we’re growing them everywhere, as many as possible💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

Any Canadians here? 🙂🇨🇦

[@spidersNsquirrels]

Thanks for everything you do!!!

[@bethhubbs9937]

3:10, about failure: "The one who falls and gets up is stronger than the one who never tried." "One who fears failure limits his activities." "If you're not failing, then you're not trying hard enough." :) Thanks for the encouragement!

[@ALLDRAINSEMERGENCYPLUMBING]

Soil - fox farm ocean Forrest floor mixed with happy frog works works wonders with everything I’ve grown out in az. Of course compost and mulch as well.

[@julieannbarnes6322]

Wow, sorry I almost had to go on to another video, at first, because I was just trying to get some "quick" tips to grow in the desert, but dude, you needed to lay off on the multiple comparisons when explaining things, like, we're all not Elementary school kids. On a positive note, you did give mega tons of good advice, once you got going, and your garden obviously thrives, so thank you!

[@markk2464]

Thanks again John for a great video!

[@bycfr08]

We moved here in NM from CA. Second year gardening and realized I think we really need a drip irrigation next Spring as our garden is expanding. Thanks for these great tips!

[@peachysquirrely]

I live in Las Vegas! Thanks for the info!

[@MichaelMyall]

Brilliant! I am a great follower of your videos. Totally inspiring.

[@rajvosa71000]

Hi John. I just started watching your videos but didn't know you live in Vegas. Would you sell any of your vegetables etc. ? I'd love to buy from you. I'm big on organic eating.

[@daphne7897]

Always exciting watching your garden thanks

[@claudiajones356]

Thank so much

[@gavan1988]

I live in Southern California, Ramona California.

[@lilhawaiianboi1]

I’m definitely watching and learning from this channel since we both live in Vegas lol

[@raquelcox6361]

Hi, I just want to ask where did you get your horseradish tree or moringa tree?

[@yummyyomari9993]

Omg I been lookinh for gardening buddies from vegas or just desert places to share tips with!

[@woolfsmck]

I believe the sun exposure issue should be addressed by individual plants, some plants don't tolerate the afternoon heat *sun overhead* as well as others....some *full sun* plants would benefit to having a morning only or am and pm exposure with afternoon shade or refracted light in the mid day.... I has to do with stem temperature and the speed the plant can transpire enough to hydrate its cells ...

[@bobbiwest6625]

Looks great. Take care.

[@victorarregnelle8976]

I do live in Las Vegas! Unexpected.

[@Emiajtruk]

I Remember one of the first videos i ever saw of you. You were also on a rooftop talking about that city farmer in Pasadena California-dervaez?

[@breabeyrouti7834]

Instead of drip water have you tried the wicking system?

[@Mysfit_Oasis]

Would you help me grow an oasis in the desert? I have 5 acres in whispering ranch.... 2 miles east of vulture city... im 100% off grid. Im a single mim 49 years old and disabled. I recognised the state of the world and your videos inspired me. I bought a 5th wheel, then livestock, then was gifted 5 acres as advanced inheritance because my mom recognised i needed it now not when she was dead. Im 1 year in off grid in november. I nearly have my livestock situated and i have compost to work with now.... please please please concider working with me..... im open to using the project for content.... im open to so many udeas... but ive been called to build an oasis in the desert and it takes a community... i need your expertise.... please

[@karensabolcik2511]

Low desert 9b in az here. I got grow bags despite my cringing time do so BUT I also got an auto irrigation drip system to install :) I hope the grow bags will be okay then. Or should I take them back before I use them and get something else? I can only bc if sun do one 4x8 raised and rest have to be containers . Most of my yard at least now in feb is shade

[@annburge291]

Not too sure about your watering recommendations. I'm in the Chihuahua semidesert area. Watering in the day can kill many plants such as peach trees and pumpkin. I think it is because the top layer of the soil is hot and watering then gives the soil microbes heat shock as the heat travels downwards with the water. We start watering at dusk and water throughout the night to avoid evaporation. If the leaves are wilting in the middle of the day (eg peach tree) it indicates that the tree has been over watered superficially, over fertilised with artificial fertilisers. To stop the wilting we add compost and then cover the soil with small plants or cardboard and sawdust (ideally wood chip). A more thorough watering with wells and less often (every two weeks for trees), soil being covered, using compost, having a nitrogen fixing tree as a neighbour makes the plants more resilient to the heat. Seedlings are an exception. We water them early morning and evening. Wicking beds are fantastic.

[@recklesslove2880]

What about partial shade maybe the shade cloth during the hottest time of the day and full sun in the afternoon when the sun hits from the West side before sunset in the summer time.

[@DanaMite]

Watering twice a day, by hand w/ 95-100 degree days in North Sierra Nevada mountains. No problem w/ production.

[@danimotherofchickens479]

Hi John, How often do you water outdoor succulents on the summer? And how much... yucca, agaves, aloe, sotols and succulent bowls ect? And how much do you water them in April and May

[@TryThis369]

Are you doing classes in Las Vegas?

[@moonsauce88]

In Palm Springs and I struggle, the summer kills just about all my veggies and herbs 🫠

[@shywear1752]

Anyone have feedback on Bumper Crop soil?

[@SouthernCaliforniaGardening]

oh man, i can’t find dr earth potting soil anymore, was my Favorite!

[@danimotherofchickens479]

It's on Amazon

[@marioespinoza101]

I live in Las Vegas, how can I get some consulting from you?

[@Peppersfirst]

Wilhelm Reich turned 80 acres of desert green using his orgone technology. I've noticed a lot of people putting orgonite in their gardens to get similar benefits. From my own experience it worked really well when I placed a vase of cut flowers on an orgonite plate. They stayed alive for close to 2 months but I decided to move the plate to a different location. A few friends noticed a pleasant feeling coming from the plate.

[@groundowl3098]

I placed your comment on an organite plate. It became more palatable.

[@lettyrodrz9940]

Are you in Arizona?

[@lindacgrace2973]

Why don't you use some shade cloth? You can buy shade cloth that offers 20%, 40%, and 60% shade. With only 20% shade, even the sun-lovers will get enough light, but you'll cut evaporative losses pretty dramatically. Also, buried olla pots (terra cotta pots that slowly seep water into the soil) and wicking beds (originating in Australia, another desert climate) provide continuous irrigation without costing a fortune in water.

[@zoemeow7677]

I 💖 that outfit on you is just like "Luffy" from "One Piece" ✨✨✨💖✨

[@marypaino1327]

Get free rock dust from where granite was cut away on Rt 180

[@Kngninja-]

How do my mom and i do lavender kngninja

[@Splitspine1]

i was wondering John, how do you feel about dr earth as a company? have you ever used any of their products? would you recommend them? or are they scammers?

[@robynsalazar7805]

hey how do contact you i have questions

[@messageboardusamessageboar1477]

Great tips for Las Vegas ! Thank you soooo much John😀!

[@Chafalota]

THE OTHER DAY IT WAS 117😮😮😮

[@sewerratt47]

They say

[@CriticalThinker1967]

Thought it as a gardening vid but seems to be about darts

[@distancejunkiemonkey4491]

Epic storytelling get to the freaking point

[@peterGu895]

Luffy

[@jonny_mazerati9410]

When your in this Texas hear you must use a shade cloth it’s not even an option lol he’s being so dramatic . My plants have done only better with it then before without ! The sun is too hot for vegetables over 90 degrees !

[@robertmartinez1228]

Where's your Marijuana at?

[@frozenrogue8970]

Did he ever got to the point 🤔

[@brynwhitehead1731]

They think too small. Why we'll never relate.

[@gilacasio2795]

Bring back Josh. 👍🏼

[@kova1577]

Deserts are so damn ugly in the states

[@closertothetruth9209]

Shade house using white shade cloth, cuts the intensity yet super bright inside, plants grow well.

[@Peppersfirst]

That neighbor will be climbing that wall to eat your food within a year. 😄

[@bearclaw007]

That bullseye metaphor was ridiculous, but a great representation of why I like this channel.

[@jeromecade5140]

pro tip: you can watch series at flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies these days.

[@brantleyorlando5789]

@Jerome Cade Yea, have been watching on Flixzone for years myself =)

[@jartisteobscure3992]

Super relevant in California too now actually! (at least in SoCal) we've recently reached highs of 104°F in my area. Thank you for the timely and conscise video! 🌱💚✌

[@littlelomaricafarm7302]

Relevant in NorCal also last summer a week of 110-113 the corn just burned up.

[@skeeterburke]

If you're going to use a shade cloth, maybe position it to block the afternoon sun, so it's not directly over your plants. Around 3pm I definitely sympathize with my wilting plants, it is SO HOT 🔥

[@BKDDY]

Your neighbor might as well just sell his backyard lot.

[@ScottysAnimals]

He should put up motion sensor lights because if I lived next door I will be hopping the fence and stealing peppers lol

[@Boxbeat666]

They look as bad as each other polar opposites 🤣

[@jonny_mazerati9410]

They might be old people or disabled. Quit judging before u know

[@Boxbeat666]

Sorry Karen

[@kevintunaley5079]

or ... rent his yard to JK in trade for the food he grows

[@kh-sp2yq]

Hi! Your videos are awesome and I learn a lot! You mentioned your irrigation, in the 1st tip. Wondering if you have tried or heard about olla pots and blumats? Olla pots date back to Egyptian times for irrigation. I use them here in the desert and I believe helps me avoid the multiple watering, through the day, as you mentioned. I lightly surface water, in the morning, to help work minerals and nutrients down into the soil and fill my olla pots daily. The pots water deeply and slowly all day long. roots have to seek it out, as you mentioned, too. My plants don't wilt, even baking in a greenhouse. @100F day time, high desert, 13 Index sun. Blumats do not require timers or pumps to operate. And keep the soil a consistent moisture that you set yourself. I don't have the blumat system, yet. But I believe between the two. Anyone, would have a perfect water system for desert life. Thanks for reading. Have a wonderful day!

[@beehoughton8461]

This is such an amazing idea

[@yeevita]

High desert here. Our sun is intense. I get a tan even under the 80% shade cloth under my tent. I use 30-60% shade in my garden. I went through the whole water more thing, then the grow only plants that survive thing. Shade cloth has been the best so far. Less water use. It is passive. I can go outside during the day for longer periods of time if I can stay under the shade cloth. My plants mostly are still blooming under the shade cloth. I have a few areas that only have 10% shade cloth over specific plants. When it gets cooler, we will be shading our entire backyard. Even 10% shade cloth is enough, but I prefer 30-50%.

[@annburge291]

I find I have much more bug pressure in the shade. Shade and autotoxic plant roots (which many desert trees are have killed off quite a few of my plants)

[@danimotherofchickens479]

Do you have succulents ? How often do you water succulents during a AZ or NV summer if they are outside ?

[@cristhianzerimar]

Where do you live? I'm in Las Vegas. What percentage of shade cloth would you recommend for growing tomatoes, peppers, strawberries and herbs?

[@deannealbrecht774]

I bought a composter. Nearly every night I compost my organic matter then add it to other soil.

[@hikingwiththedog6078]

Hi, from the desert of western Colorado. Used to live in Vegas and I miss it a lot!! I especially miss the purple Costa's hummingbirds that lived in my yard, they got to know me and were there all year. I was learning how to grow native plants to feed them. Working on the same project now in Colorado. Thank you so much for your videos, you're an AMAZING gardener!!!

[@kypie8]

I live in Western Colorado too! 💚

[@beautifuldreamer3991]

I do large container gardening and water x2 daily esp in heatwaves. My rose garden, I have medium sized unglazed clay pots,2 pots large mout glued together and the holes outside and then buried into the ground where one end is left outside and a row of them. My Rose's are planted beside them and the deep buried pots are filled with water and they slowly deep water. This is an ancient method of water gardening used in ancient cultures like ancient Sumeria and ancient Egypt. Also called ollas.this is a VERY effective method of desert gardening and deep watering for your desert gardening. There is a book called gardening with less water that teaches the use of clay pot watering method. Very very very effective and very water sparing

[@nickhammersonrocks]

YOU'RE A ROCKSTAR K MAN !!!!!!!! AT LEAST TO US YOU ARE !!!!!!!!!! FEED THE UNIVERSE !!!!!!!!!!! AND DON'T WASTE TOO MUCH MONEY IN THE SLOT MACHINES !!!!!! ROULETTE OR CRAPS USUALLY PAYS OUT BETTER !!!!! SERIOUSLY !!!!!!!

[@betrueALLWAYS]

omg...been trying to start seedling brussel sprouts...have went thru 3 packet of heirloom seeds so far🤬🤬🤬...its 108 today in Sacramento! so much for "fun" first time gardening🤣🤣🤣🤣 Actually...I love fighting the bugs and moles and weird mold/leaf fungus that i have had to look up since starting my pandemic garden and THANK YOU for all your Advice from this Wonderful Channel!!

[@uprightnbreathin]

Another enjoyable video, thanks John.

[@wscsace]

Not a fan of the miscommunication that comes with "living in California" I live in California and I am roughly 2 hours from Vegas and I can say it is more vegas like weather than San Diego etc

[@frankreal-sifuentes9415]

I live in lasvegas I'm a first time home owner attempting to terraform our yard and I need so much help...

[@nickhammersonrocks]

SOMETIMES WE JUST GET LOST IN HIS RAMBLING AND LIKE AN HOUR LATER....HE'S STILL TALKING !!!!!! WE LEARN SO MUCH FROM THIS CHANNEL BECAUSE HE JUST NEVER STOPS TALKING!!!!!! WE LOVE IT !!!!!!!!

[@social3ngin33rin]

Can you show us your water bill? :) Moths are also pollinators, they do it at night. I just use my finger as a pollinator lol

[@annburge291]

The more alive your soil is, the less water you need. Houses in Chihuahua can use 1000 litres per day during the hot season for air-conditioning. We have a passive thermal designed house so we don't require A/C for comfort. We use far less than 1000 litres to water the garden. We also use our grey water to water the trees.

[@HalloweenInVegas]

Thank you for this video!! SO glad you live in Vegas so you can help us struggling desert gardeners! =D

[@JenMarco]

I love how he keeps saying he recommends it AT THIS TIME. It’s cool, people should understand that as time progresses or needs change and products change.

[@annburge291]

Know when to plant. Exactly. I find it more successful to cultivate the so called weeds and eat them.. amaranth, rocket, purslane, ladies lace, prickly pear, wood sorrel, silver beet..eat more of the plants such as pomegranate tips as well as the fruit, pumpkin leaves and flowers, grape vine leaves...these are so much easier to grow than lettuce.

[@townesgahn1787]

this guy hates hus neighboor for suee

[@annburge291]

Find growing in the tree wells on the south side more effective for small plants than raised beds. I water them far less because the tree michrorisal fungi helps bring them water and nutrients. The raised beds seem to get too hot in summer and too cold in winter. Most of our natural water comes from morning dew rather than rain. I try and keep the grass as long as possible during peak summer.

[@fluffylittleclouds6642]

108 in California. This video is just what I needed. Thank you.

[@karensabolcik2511]

How did u bail into your brick fence? I have brick fence so not sure how to install the shade cloth if I can’t nail into it (I’m in a rental home).

[@IluvinortheIneffable]

For a rental you should just put up posts that can be removed.

[@notinterested9097]

Hey John I live in California's high Desert Apple Valley to be exact . Sun has not been my problem but the freezes have affected my gardening more than the extreme heat and sun exposure . Any tips on how to combat the low temps ? It's gotten down to 15 degrees in the winter .

[@beehoughton8461]

Growing cold hardy varieties, starting in the early fall! Plus hoops over your beds, and adding water drums, gallons, or filled watering cans around your beds. They insulate and absorb sun/heat during the day and slowly emit it at night.

[@sk8masta888]

What nursery do you recommend buying vegetable plants from in the Vegas area?

[@daisy070]

I live in nevada and you are my inspiration. My garden is much smaller but l hope one day to have one like yours. It is such a rough climate here but the happiness l get from growing something successful in the desert is amazing!!

[@danimotherofchickens479]

Do you have or grow succulents?

[@skeeterburke]

❓ can you suggest one of your videos, i need info on how your soil texture impacts drainage and root penetration. We have very clay rich soil that dries out or turns to mud when it floods. Needless to say, plants don't do very well at all in our yard

[@Innerharmoni7]

I'm in the hill country in Texas, stage 2-3 drought... We're using grey water, and hand watering .. we CANNOT use drinking water from the well... Although though there are idiots from other states who are throwing water onto lawns!!!!