I started by removed the landscape gravel from the area. Then I turned the soil to loosen it and removed the large, buried rocks. (I definitely understand the appeal of raised planting beds!) Two bags of garden soil and a shovel turned the inhospitable area into a great little vegetable patch. The area gets some light afternoon shade, which will help with the intense desert sun. The plants I chose are: · Early Girl Tomatoes
· Beefsteak Tomatoes
· Sweet Red Peppers
· Black Beauty Eggplant
· Parthenon Zucchini
· Marigolds I chose two different varieties of tomatoes to get a longer harvest since Early Girl mature in 50 days and Beefsteak mature in just over 90 days. The zucchini are from my greenhouse. I started way too many seeds in the greenhouse since last year I did not get any to germinate, so I am happy that the extra plants have a new home. The other vegetables I purchased as seedlings since my seedlings in the greenhouse are a bit too small to move outside just yet. I planted the marigolds as a companion plant to the tomatoes. They seem to repel pests and attract pollinators. The little picket fence in the photo my father-in-law added once my Jack Russell decided she wanted her turn digging in the garden. I am looking forward to watching the garden grow and to the harvest it will provide! When you don’t know what to give someone, consider the gift of a garden. | 
