From the low to high deserts of Mohave County, Arizona, summertime challenges take a heavy toll on produce gardens. Extreme heat and aridity braze the land, offering little relief from precipitation or cool overnight temperatures. Conditions can quickly become brutal to work with, yet there are ways to beat the season. When enough strategies are combined in one garden space, a dream‑come‑true harvest is still possible.
According to the Weather Channel, areas such as Mohave County could see an average temperature of 108 along the river and 96 degrees in Kingman with triple digits reached occasionally throughout July. One result of these temperatures is heat stress, which kills leaves when plants stop drawing water upward because high temperatures shut down essential functions, according to Sarah Rose, a Colorado State Extension horticulturist. Sunscald is another threat, occurring when fruits and vegetables are damaged by sunlight at 100 degrees or more, as noted by Kristine Lang, of the South Dakota State University Extension. Creating a better microclimate helps combat these issues by keeping soil and plants cooler. Shade is one of the most effective tools.
The AZ Plant Lady, Noelle Johnson, a noted horticulturalist, recommends providing tomatoes with fifty‑percent shade cloth, though she prefers using tall sunflowers to cast natural shadow during the desert summer. In my own garden, young pumpkin plants that received both shade cloth and late‑afternoon shadow from a nearby building performed the best.
Selecting vegetation suited for desert summers is equally important. This is where the toughest drought survivors shine. Sunset Media, publisher of the Western Garden Collection, suggests zucchini, chard, and Armenian cucumber, planted directly in the ground rather than started indoors. They also note that “deep”, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow down where it’s cooler and more stable, as reported in Sunset Magazine, “Home and Garden; Edible Gardening.” I began my plants indoors, as do many seasoned growers, but I also noticed volunteer watermelon seeds sprouting happily outdoors. My squash, pumpkins and watermelon have held on so far, though once temperatures hit 115 degrees, heat stress became noticeable.
Indoor‑started seedlings must be “hardened off” before transplanting to reduce shock. The Seed Savers Exchange recommends gradually increasing outdoor exposure, protecting seedlings from harsh wind and sun, and keeping soil moist throughout the process. When ready, transplanting should be done with care. The Mohave County Master Gardeners advise soaking plants an hour beforehand, then moving them into the soil in the evening or under overcast skies, disturbing roots as little as possible, says Linda Reddick in “Tips for Successful Gardening in Mohave County.”
As an intermediate drought‑tolerant grower, I’ve learned much from veteran desert gardeners. There are still trials and errors, but combining preparation, maintenance, prevention and smart plant choices remains the best path to success in a Mohave County summer.
Tonya Ward, Arizona Master Gardener
