Jodi at bloomingwriter invites us to describe our location with a gardener's eye. Hmmm. This is an interesting challenge. I've been in Phoenix for less than a year. What do I know about Phoenix?
Location, location, location...
Phoenix is the capital of Arizona. It has been in a state of continual growth for the last few decades, and is something of a mecca for the building trades in this economy.
We are about three hours from the south rim of the Grand Canyon, a place I hope to visit soon, and about five hours from Las Vegas, Nevada. One extreme to the other, right here.
And Phoenix is a place of extremes. We are in the Sonoran Desert, described as a low desert. Our elevation is 1100 feet, average rainfall is a meager 8 inches, and last summer we set a record for number of days over 114 F.
I share my hot and dry conditions with gardeners in Australia and South Africa, but overall, this is a unique climate, with two seasons of rainfall distributing that eight inches in winter rains and again in late summer - the monsoon season.
Our monsoons, called haboobs, start with a wind - lifting dust and grit and carrying it in the air. After this, it may or may not rain. May or may not thunder and lighting. May or may not. Waiting for rain in the haboob season is a frustrating thing. Unlike the winter rains, which fill large areas of the valley and give a steady rain, the haboobs drop sudden, very localized bursts of rain. Last summer brought only a dusting of raindrops to my yard.
I'll be the first to admit that I've not done much to explore my new city. Practically the first thing I did was go to the Desert Botanical Garden. I needed to know what DID grow in the desert, and how my garden might look, if I planted with an eye to climate. I spent that first visit, in May of 2007, with my mother and we saw a beautiful black and gold king snake and multitudes of birds, including a roadrunner!
Mark and I went back in November and I was surprised by the reduced presence of wildlife, although we did see lots of verdins, and a very cheeky Anna's hummingbird. I'm looking forward to their spring plant sale, and hoping I have a job by then!
Another fun thing we have done is First Friday. On the first Friday of each month, the artists downtown open their studios for the evening. Empty lots fill up with street vendors; rap artists and brass ensembles play in front of "bungalow" style houses converted to studios, restaurants and boutiques. Kids sell bottled water for a buck out of coolers along the way. The energy is great and the crowd multicultural.
Just recently, mom was back in town for a visit, and we went to the Heard Museum. We spent a leisurely afternoon just looking at the permanent collection. Plan for a full day if you want to see the whole museum.
Another museum we went to was the Bead Museum. Mom has picked up my interest in beading and was excited that this place existed. Again, we spent an entire afternoon at the place, although more than an hour of that was in the bead store/gift shop. Mmmm. Beads. Addictive little hobby - consider yourself warned.
The activity that has encompassed the most of our leisure hours is hiking. The city of Scottsdale, neighbor to Phoenix, has set aside a large tract of land, the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. In March Mark and I plan to become Stewards, and will then volunteer a few hours a month to help keep the preserve in shape.
So that's where I am at in my new city.
{Photos taken in October 2007}
It looks like a fine city...an interesting place to live and garden. So very different from here...especially at this time of year, when we're wallowing still in snow. Thanks so much for taking part in this project!
Posted by: jodi | February 29, 2008 at 09:44 PM
And thank you, Jodi, for bringing us all together. Fine idea for a meme, this is.
Posted by: Jenn | February 29, 2008 at 10:09 PM
And...on top of Signal Mountain--is where my dh and I first kissed!back in 1977! lol You did a good job with your new surroundings. Dh and I were stationed at Williams AFB--it's not there now but is close to the cities of Gilbert and Higley. We always said we would name our first child either Gilbert Higley or Gilberta Higlett. Now did we do that??? Our kids are grown and glad we didn't. I loved Phoenix!!
Posted by: Anna--Flowergardengirl | February 29, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Yes, it is a good idea for bringing us all together. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello.
Phoenix sounds very different from here with its dry climate. We were close to the city once when we visited the Grand Canyon, way back in '79.
Your photos are wonderful. I hope you settle in and enjoy gardening in your new area.
You've been camping in NY?
Posted by: kerri | March 01, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Jen ! Thank you so much for posting on my blog ! .. Are you a transplanted Canadian to Phoenix ?
Wow .. now that has to be one difficult place to garden.
I secretly ? ADMIRE the South Western themes .. cactus/succulents fascinate me .. the desert at night with a clear sky must be absolutely awesome !
Your pictures are beautiful and the area must be stunning !
Keep in touch : )
Joy
Posted by: Joy | March 01, 2008 at 08:03 AM
I love the Sonoran desert - in the winter! Arizona is so beautiful, if it weren't so hot in summer I'd move there.
Posted by: Mr. McGregor's Daughter | March 01, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Anna, so glad little Gilbert Higley wasn't saddled with that moniker. Ouch!
Kerri, I've been to Darien Lakes with a bunch of friends. They've been to some others and liked all of them. We were pulling a group together that consisted of midwesterners and eastern sea-boarders, and upstate new york seemed like the place to be.
Joy, I'm originally from SE Michigan. Grew up in Detroit, the only place on the continent where Canada (Windsor) is to the south! Been up in Ontario many a time, both to visit Canada, and as a 'short cut' to the eastern states there. I drove a car full of architecture students through the short-cut to the thousand lakes are of New York to view a competition site - bridging the two countries with a point of entry there...
Hey McG D - yep, we are creeping back toward the summer already. The 'cool season' doesn't last long around here!
Posted by: jenn | March 01, 2008 at 01:20 PM
One thing I'm reminded of as I read through all the geography project blogs is how vastly different the terrain can be from state to state, province to province -- and yet, how very much the same in many ways. Thanks for sharing your corner of the world with us!
Posted by: Nancy Bond | March 01, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Very much enjoyed your post for the GBGP. Don't you just love the Anna's hummingbirds! We have two that have been visiting regularly since we put in several blue black sage plants.
Posted by: Weed Whackin Adventures | March 02, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I find it funny that 1100 feet is "low" desert. Our house is at 1100 feet and we are near the top of a ridge!
Posted by: Bogie | March 02, 2008 at 07:16 AM
Wow what an interesting garden challenge. If I moved there I would have to totally relearn my gardening craft (not that that wouldn't be fun!).
Great post.
Posted by: Ottawa Gardener | March 03, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Big sky country. Yeah, I know that's Montana, but it looks like it applies to Phoenix as well. Have you read "Yard Full of Sun?" If not, you MUST get it. It's all about creating a beautiful desert garden on the outskirts of the Sonoran Desert, and it's great!
I've been to the Grand Canyon twice and was blown away by its grandeur. The first time I went with my DH and our two small kids, so our hiking was limited. I was so taken with the canyon that I arranged a mule-riding trip to Phantom Ranch at the bottom for me and three friends the following year. It was an unforgettable experience, very fun.
Posted by: Pam/Digging | March 03, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Hi Pam!
Scott Calhoun has recently come on my radar, so your book recommendation is just verification of a good thing!
I'll start with Yard Full of Sun. He's got others, and he's semi-local (Tucson metro area), so he's advice and experience is Exactly what I am craving!
And for all the desert lacks blue in it's flowers (the lupine being a purple and fleeting thing) it makes up for in sky. Nothing quite like a southwest sky.
Posted by: jenn | March 03, 2008 at 01:55 PM