Well, today was our first 100 d' day. The cement was hot under my feet
by 1300. Time to start planning to turn under the green leafies of
spring, mix in the compost, and harvest the squash. That's all
happening around the fall equinox, but until then I'm just munching on
the greens and training/tying my gourds to their trellises. I planted
Round II of radishes, which will be the last of the season - that's the
last planting I'll do until September. By then, the soil will have been
cleared except for the cucurbits and herbs, if I can keep them going
through summer.

I had hill/valley watering set up, but my roomate showed me how to
stake and bury soaker hoses. It A) looks great and B) waters everything
without evaporation loss. our water use was a horrifying 1300 avg.
gallons/day last month, so finding more efficient ways to water my
garden and fish pond is a top priority.

I've planted nasturtiums to help cover and cool the soil, as well as
help with bugs. I made the mistake of putting my herbs in the southern
row of my herb-and-vine plot, so I'm hoping I can train the watermelon
up its trellis to shade them before they fry.

My morning-glory and sweet peas might fry, but we'll see - I have them
under the fish pond awning.I would love to keep them all summer, or at
least long enough to collect seeds. I started everybody late, but not
crazy late.

I'm hoping I could get suggestions for my general timeline below, and
suggestions for readable agriculture books. I'm reading Square Foot
Fardening, Extreme Gardening, Sunset Beginner, and a couple of other
misc gardening books. It's amazing how few books really appreciate what
it's like to garden in an area with five months of 100 degree plus
weather with almost no humidity or rain. Extreme Gardening is the first
I've found that has solid advice and information, as well as great
information on companion planting and organic gardening.

May - harvest greens
June - harvest greens - turn under - train/trellis gourds, squash, etc
July - clear soil of spirng crops, cover with black plastic to kill
weeds and bugs
August - mix in this year's compost, cover back up with plastic to kill
mold, insects, and fungi
September - prepare beds for winter planting - start corn, harvest
cucurbits, compost the vines