A Garden Can Be Anywhere
The photo above is how I like to think of Anza Borrego Desert State Park where I’ve camped since I was eleven years old. March can host a splendid display of desert wildflowers if the rains and temperatures are optimal.
Two “super blooms” in recent years drew thousands of visitors to Anza Borrego Desert State Park. It was well worth the trip. I had never seen such abundant bloom.
But this is what the Borrego desert looks like now. We camped there for three days this week.
June, July and August, when high temperatures range from 103 to 108 degrees F. send plants into dry season dormancy. August and September highs are 91 and 101 degrees F. November to March are in a pleasant range of 68 to 80 degrees F. Average annual rainfall is 5.31 inches and much of that comes as summer thunderstorms. But even in a desert you can grow a garden.
The ARTFARM and ARTPARK at Borrego Art Institute grow vegetables, herbs and have a small orchard. Vegetable bags are available to purchase Friday mornings and visitors can drop off kitchen vegetable scraps for composting. Community garden plots are also an option. This is a dedicated bunch of volunteer gardeners with proceeds supporting the Borrego Art Institute which is worth a visit if you’re in town.
So if desert gardeners can produce luscious vegetables, herbs and fruit, most of us could do it in a more benign climate. If you need some help, check
