Solterra Senior Living Blog

After quite some time of planting lettuce and carrots, I decided to try something new.  My son has started making his own wine in California and I thought, “What’s keeping me from doing the same here in Arizona?” So, I’m planting grapes.  

I’ve discovered that planting something new is fun, even though I have had some challenges along the way. 

I started out building a trellis since the vines will need support and I came across a bit of a setback.  I began digging 5 holes that are 15” square and 15” deep and somehow managed to cut the telephone wire, the television cable, and the water line for my sprinklers!! 3 out of 5 isn’t bad now is it?

Finally, after all of the damages were taken care of, I was able to erect a trellis and plant a Thompson Seedless Vine (check previous blog regarding zones to know what type of vine to purchase).  Depending on how much room you have to work with, you can plant more than one, but I suggest if you are starting out like me, one or two will be enough!

During this process I have learned that it is very important to prepare the vine before planting. Submerge the vine in a bucket of water for at least six hours.  Do not let the roots of the vines dry out, or you will have little success.  If you are planting a lot of vines, wrap damp cloths around the roots to keep them moist.   

Also, make sure to thoroughly water the planting holes that you have dug and add water to the hole while filling it with the soil.  This ensures that there will be no air pockets.  After you have gotten the vine planted, water it once a week for the first month and then water based on how dry the soil is.  Do not let the soil get dry deep down, so if the top soil is starting to look dry, it is time to water.  For reference, one inch of water will reach about one foot below ground, so use this to determine how much water is needed.
Remember, grapes take a long time to grow, so you will not be able to harvest right away.  Sometimes it can take anywhere between 4 and 6 years from planting to harvest.  Therefore, you must be patient and have the time.

Gardening Zones

Now that we have our gardening spot and the proper tools, what should we plant? This all depends on the “Gardening Zone” that you live in.  North America is separated into 11 different zones and these zones help us determine the climate and what plants and vegetables survive in that climate.  Often when you are looking on the back of seed packages, or plant tags, you will see a number.  This number identifies what zone would be best for the survival and production of that plant. 

If you live in Phoenix like me, you are in Zone 9.

To find your gardening zone, go to the website below and enter your zip code!  http://www.garden.org/zipzone/

Tools a Gardener Can’t Live Without

In order to have a successful vegetable garden, I have found that there are certain tools that are a necessity.  Here is a list to get you started:

1.  Rake: There are many different rakes to choose from, but I prefer my old fashioned wooden handled rake.  I use my rake to level off the dirt and soil as well as to rake out any unnecessary debris and leaves that have found their way into the area. 
2. Garden Hoe: The garden hoe is a great tool for removing weeds.  Weeds are one of the worst things to have in your garden because they take away all the nutrients needed for your veggies! The hoe will help remove the weeds at the root, so that it minimizes their return.
3. Garden Claw: The garden claw is probably one of the greatest tools invented for a gardener.  It is a hand held tool used as a rototiller.  It has four prongs that turns the dirt clockwise or counter clockwise and is fairly simple to use.  The best thing about the claw is that it turns the soil without chopping up worms!
4. Shovel/Spade: The shovel is an essential tool when it comes to gardening. The shovel gives you the ability to dig holes for your plants.  It also is a good tool to pack down the dirt once you have put your plant in its place. 
5. Garden stakes/cage: Depending on what you are growing, you will need to have garden stakes or a garden cage.  If you decide to grow tomatoes, you should get a circular cage that has prongs which stick into the ground.  The cage must have open spaces on the sides so that the vines can have support and won’t sag to the ground!

There are many other tools that can be used in addition to the ones mentioned above! Once you start gardening, you will find that you like using certain tools over others.  Are there any tools that you prefer using?

First thing we need to do is pick out the perfect space for our garden.  You don’t need a huge space for gardening.  You can select a small portion of your backyard, or even create a garden using containers on your patio! Depending on how much time and effort you want to put into your garden will help you figure out how large of a space you will need.  Make sure you select a space that receives the most sunlight since the majority of plants need approximately 8 hours of sunlight a day! Special tip: face your garden towards the south, that way you can garden in both the summer and the winter. 

Remember, if you are new to gardening, try a smaller space at first and then expand as you feel more confident! After all, my first go at it was a tomato plant in a milk jug!