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THE HIGH DESERT SEASONS
High Desert plants come to life in the spring. It is the most active time for plant growth, and the plants will have moderate and consistent water needs. Spring rains (or even snow), and cool nights and mornings can lower irrigation requirements. You may only need to water once every three days, or once a week, or once every two weeks, depending on your soil and the weather. Inconsistency is the norm for spring water schedules. Watch the weather, observe the plants, and take time to do "feel tests" for soil moisture. Plant annuals in small "investment zones" at this time of year. Mulch your trees and shrubs to prepare for the summer heat. Early spring is also the time for the season's first applications of fertilizer if needed.
Summers in the High Desert are hot and plant water requirements climb. During July alone, plants require more watering than they did for the whole four month period of November, December, January, and February. The weather tends to be consistent. Automatic timers can be set on a regular schedule according to your plants' water budgets. Dig into the soil every few days to check the moisture level, until you feel confident you know when the plants need irrigation. Be sure to water only in the evening or early morning. Avoid watering during windy periods--your water belongs on your garden, not on the street.
Many hot days will continue into fall, with periods of high winds and cooler High Desert nights. Watering schedules will change often during the fall months. As in spring, inconsistency reigns. Water needs begin declining dramatically in October. By November, according to research data, irrigation requirements in the High Desert have dropped to about a third of peak summer needs. Watering times and amount should be reduced accordingly. The cool fall nights in the High Desert offer area gardeners an opportunity unavailable in many other Southern California areas: fall color. The High Desert offers the perfect conditions for a brilliant display of fall leaf colors. Fall color is a result of short warm days coupled with cool, long nights. In general, the cooler the night temperatures, the greater the intensity of color. A number of the trees recommended in the plant list section of this guide have showy fall colors. These include: Fraxinus velutina, Arizona Ash; Koelreuteria paniculata, Goldenrain Tree; Pistacia chinensis, Chinese Pistache; and Rhus lancea, African Sumac.
Much of your High Desert garden will take a break during the winter months. Trees, shrubs, and warm season grasses will be dormant. Even evergreens will require very little irrigation water. Those with automatic irrigation systems may turn them off during this time. The winter months are the wettest time in California and the High Desert. But if the rains and snows don't come, you will have to supplement nature with some infrequent, deep waterings, much like natural storms would bring. Winter is the perfect time to plant bare root deciduous trees and roses. Bare root planting produces healthy, fast growing plants and saves money.
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SPRING
SUMMER
FALL
WINTER