First time planning a garden
Hi everyone! This is my first time really planning out a garden, so I’m still learning and would love some advice from people who garden in the high desert or similar climates.
I’m in (Zone 8b/9a) in Mojave desert and I made this layout based on how the sun and shade move through my yard. I have two trees that create a lot of shade in the middle/back area, but some parts of the beds get more morning sun and then shade later in the day.
I’m planning on starting my indoor seeds around mid-to-late February, then direct sowing some of the cooler crops around March 1–15. After the last frost, around late March/April, I’ll start putting out the warm-weather plants.
I’m mainly trying to work with the shade from the trees instead of fighting it, so I’m putting the more shade-tolerant plants closer to the trees and saving the sunnier areas for tomatoes, peppers,beans, etc.
I’d really appreciate any advice! What seed companies do you recommend? Are there any varieties that have done especially well for you in the high desert? And is there anything you would change about my layout or planting schedule?
Also I made a layout of the shade of that helps! With the second photo to get an idea. The photo was taken at 4:50pm
Shade for garden bed A
6 AM- full sun
8 AM- full sun
10 AM- stars to shade
12 PM- full shade
2 PM- full shade
4 PM- shaded sun starts to show in back of bed( shade is from the chained fence)
6 PM- gets shaded sun as sun goes down.