Gardening in Sedona (buy, subdivision, live in)

[JustLook'n]

Hi, My wife and I are looking for a retirement location and we are curious if Sedona has a climate and suitable soil for having a garden (vegetables). If folks do garden there what is the general range of the growing season and what grows best there. Are water supplies available as well. Can one have fruit and nut trees? Thanks.

[Lostone1413]

just drive down any forest road it will give you a good idea as to how good things grow

[MonkeyClaw]

I believe Sedona is considered Zone 5. Soil isn't great but most people buy it and put it in their garden. Make sure you have a good fence though, as javelina and rabbits like to invade gardens. You may also want some sort of shade for it in the summer unless the plants can take the direct sunlight.

[JustLook'n]

MC thanks.

That helps. We live in an area that tops out at 100-104 for summer highs but we have high humidity. The dryness of AZ is more of a concern than heat for vegetables. Thus the question of water availability. BTW is it legal in AZ to catch rain from your roof for personal use (it is not legal in some parts of the western US. In the east no one could care less.). Direct sun is pretty much standard for veggies. Having to supplement the soil is not uncommon but do you mean you have to truck in top soil to even get started (that would mean pretty sad soil to start with). Or do you mean they truck in compost? We have to have fences here as well (ground hogs, rabbits, deer, racoons).

[rational1]

The local rag (Red Rock News) had a story recently about a dispute between a homeowner and the homeowner's association about a hoophouse (a sort of greenhouse).

If gardening is important to you- be particularly sure to find out if there are any restrictions of this sort that would impact you. Much better to know in advance.

As far as water is concerned- unless you collect it you are going to have to pay for it. Roof collection is another thing that may be impacted by your subdivision's restrictions.