A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion New Members New to this Forum and already have a question!

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this forum and somewhat new to gardening. I 25 years old and have been a renter my whole adult life. I recently got into a house (where I am still renting) that has a large backyard and is fully landscaped. I hope to do some container gardening. The challenge for me...I'm from Ohio and I moved to New Mexico (Rio Rancho, ABQ area) almost two years ago. This is my first chance to have an outdoor garden since I've been in NM and I'm not sure where to begin. I've got some herbs started indoors and want to get them out side soon. I'll do some usual outdoor annuals in containers this weekend. Does anyone know any Southwestern must-haves for container gardens? DO tomatoes really do as well out hear as I have heard?

I'm very excited to join this forum! I'm sure I will have many questions to ask the experts. And maybe a few answers!

I'm going to go check out the houseplant forum now!!

Nice to meet you all!

welcome and check out our tomato forum!

Hi, just wanted to welcome you as well.

hi from arkansas

I'm a little new to the SW also and have been really excited about my garden - -I'm not doing containers, but I'm sure peppers in pots would do very well and are also attractive! Good Luck!

Two years ago I planted in January - - the first warm weekend - - and really had GOOD luck!... Sunflowers, okra (a little leggy and tall, but edible pods did appear), swiss chard that is just now seeding (2 - 3 years growth!), leaf lettuce - - a little thin for my liking, but edible - - endive (they produce pretty blue flowers before seeding), funky spinach (thick triangular shaped leaves). My daughter assisted since she's been here longer than I and gardened in this heat.

As a former resident in ABQ, but mainly Phoenix though, I can tell you that a mainstay is cactus gardens, New Mexico is somewhat a desert and definitely southwestern by nature. Try doing some of the herbs outdoors you may find a new love of growing in this format. Individually potted items such as cilantro, rosemary, arugula and chives can grow very nicely there. You will see good rewards from these herbs and quickly but do not forget the staples of oregano, thyme and the like