In desert gardening everyone talks about container gardens losing moisture quickly but few people talk about how soil temperatures can affect vegetable plants. Most gardeners are looking at soil temperatures in the early spring to gauge their spring planting and germination rates. In Arizona or other desert gardens, soil temperatures during the hottest months can greatly affect the success of a vast number of plants. Today, I shared a new toy I got to measure soil temperature. I have been curious about using black out material for some time to see if it would bring down soil temperatures. To test out my theory I wrapped one bucket partially in blackout and a different bucket I wrapped completely and covered as much soil as possible. I gathered a great deal of my research from the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources, Sacramento.
#HighSoilTemperatures
#HowToGardenInExtremeHeat
#DesertGardening
#ContainerGardenIntheDesert
#BucketGardening
#ImportanceOfSoilTemperature
#HowToGardenInArizona
#ContainerGardening
15 Comments
I buy black containers because they are cheaper, but I've painted them light this year.. I'm not sure if it's helped or not here in AZ.. I also make the large painted containers into wicking pots.. filling the bottom reservoir with PVC tube.. And I've used light tan grow bags.. so far really happy with them.. lots of flowers but no fruit yet..
Cool, I’m using kiddy pools too! Is your tomatoes in full sun?
I'm going to use some extra cinder blocks that I have and build a temporary wall in front of my containers. I'll leave a gap for airflow and they are painted the same color as the house,, a tan color, so hopefully that will help. I've just picked up 2 cattle panels and want to have an arch down the side of the house but need to work out how to fix them.
LOVE this idea… I thought the SAME exact concern… if my potted plants are being literally cooked inside dark containers! I gotta do something… the crap is about to get real up here in Mesa! 😀 Hugs, from your neighbors in 9b!
Thanks for this video. I moved to AZ from the east coast last summer so this is my first season planting a container garden here. It has definitely been a lot of trial and error with the sun and heat!
Do you have a video in drip irrigation or how you water your plants?
7:51 "I like learning everything about the garden", "I love reasearching and DIGGING IN", "so we can both learn and GROW together" no pun intended lol your the best I loved the temp segment cant wait to see what happens next week with the plants.
Everything looks beautiful!
I envy anyone who can and loves gardening. I love to cook and bake, but I am no gardener. I live in a condo and pay association fees, but even when I get a house I will have a lawn service. I loved your video on the Dawn/Vinegar bathroom cleaner. God Bless.
I'm so happy you showed the grow bag. My garden is 100% grow bags! I was concerned about the heat, but your experiment was right on time. Thanks for the video!
I'm late to posting but wanted to ask you about flowers. I don't have many if any bees coming to pollinate my veggies. Any suggestions on what I can plant? I've been hand pollinating my cukes and squash but would love to see more bees and butterflies in my garden 😊.
Im new to gardening what would be the best way to start out i am looking forward to a herb garden but also what other edible plants. I live in the lower part of az near Phoenix
Do you think you could have hit the metal handle on the red bucket?
Yes I need to use some mulch or straw for my buckets
Great video!