In May, I was able to plant a small garden in two locations at our residential campus. In one location, we planted leek, kale, Fresno peppers, Serrano peppers, a few varieties of lettuce, spinach, parsley and basil. And in the other, tomatoes, squash and cucumbers were planted. I have been growing veggies and flowers for a while now and it is something love to do, but I was concerned because I had read and heard from nearly everyone I asked that Flagstaff was a really hostile environment to grow produce. This was not the case. With good soil and a healthy watering twice a day, the garden was on its way. However there were a few hiccups along the way.
During work hours one day one of the clients confused the tomato, squash and cucumbers for weeds and pulled them all up. I was able to replant the tomato and squash, but the cucumbers were done for. Oh well! Right away the lettuce and the kale began to thrive, but the peppers and tomatoes seemed like a lost cause and I nearly tore them all out. But just then the monsoons came and I decided to give them some more time.
One of the major obstacles was watering during our outdoor trips when we are out of town for three days and the garden was left to fend for itself against the hot Arizona sun. And then we had a week long trip to Utah and I thought that was the end. We harvested a lot of greens right before and had a few wonderful salads. Then we left and it graciously rained buckets every day in Flagstaff while we were gone! When we returned the garden was thriving. The greens were lush and beautiful, the peppers, tomatoes and squash had blossomed and begun to fruit. I really believe there is no substitute for good old fashioned mother nature. Sometimes you just have to sit back and let nature take its course, just like life in sobriety.
Since then I have taught a few other clients to help out and take over the garden. I have moved to the Transition campus. The garden is still thiving and we realize by pure luck we planted at exactly the right time! I guess planting in Flagstaff isn’t so bad after all.
