The Best Time to Plant Fruit Trees in the Desert

Growing your own delicious stone fruit, apples, or citrus in the desert is entirely possible, but success hinges on two key factors: selecting varieties with a low "chill hour" requirement and, most importantly, timing your planting perfectly.

​The best time to plant depends on whether your tree is deciduous (loses leaves in winter) or evergreen (keeps leaves year-round).

​Deciduous Fruit Trees (Apples, Pears, Peaches, Apricots)

​For deciduous fruit trees, you have two great options depending on what you purchase.

1. ​Bare-Root Trees: These are typically bought in winter while they are dormant. They are cheaper and establish roots quickly. The best time to plant bare-root trees is in Late January to Mid-February. This timing ensures the tree has several weeks to settle its roots into the warming soil before it begins to bud, sprout leaves, and face the stressful spring winds.

2. ​Container Trees: If you purchase a container-grown deciduous tree, planting in the fall (October/November) is an excellent alternative to bare-root planting, as it allows the roots the benefit of the cool season to establish.

​Evergreen Fruit Trees (Citrus, Olives, Figs)

​Evergreen varieties, particularly citrus, are sensitive to cold and need to be planted when the danger of frost is gone and the soil is consistently warm.

​The optimal planting window for evergreens is either Early Spring (March/April) or Early Fall (September/October).

​Planting citrus in the spring gives them the entire long, warm growing season to establish themselves before the winter. Alternatively, planting in the early fall is a great choice, allowing the roots to grow steadily throughout the entire mild desert winter. Be sure to avoid planting these heat-sensitive trees during the summer's peak heat (June through August), as this is a period of intense stress and high water demand that can lead to failure.

The Best Time to Plant Flowering Trees in the Desert

In a harsh desert climate, the best time to plant any tree is not the traditional spring, but rather fall and late winter. For flowering trees, establishing a strong, deep root system before the brutal summer heat arrives is absolutely paramount to survival and future blooms.

Optimal Planting Window

The ideal time to plant flowering trees (think beautiful desert-adapted species like Palo Verdes, Desert Willows, or even Texas Mountain Laurels) is during a specific cool season window. This window extends from September to early November in the fall, or from January to mid-February in the late winter.

Why Fall Planting Works:

Planting in the fall is arguably the best strategy. The soil is still warm enough to encourage rapid root growth, but the air temperatures are mild, which significantly reduces transplant shock. By planting between September and November, your tree has a good seven to eight months of mild weather to establish its roots before the next summer’s severe heat stress. Just be sure to avoid planting too late in the season (after November), as root growth will slow down too much during the coldest months.

Why Late Winter Planting Works:

If you miss the fall window, planting during the late winter—from January to mid-February—is your next best bet. During this time, dormant trees are easily transplanted. The mild temperatures of late winter and early spring rains (if your area receives them) help quickly anchor the new tree. Be careful to avoid planting in early spring (March or April); this gives the roots only a short, stressful window to establish before the searing heat and drying winds of summer begin.

Pro Tip: When planting, ensure the hole is at least twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. The top of the root ball should always be level with or slightly above the surrounding soil to prevent water pooling and subsequent trunk rot.

4 Common Herbs to Help Improve Sleep

If you're looking for a natural, garden-fresh path to a better night's rest, the answer might be growing just outside your door. Many common garden herbs contain compounds that relax the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and gently guide the body toward sleep.

Here are 4 essential sleep-promoting herbs you can easily grow:

Lavender (*Lavandula species*): Famous for its soothing aroma, lavender's essential oils (especially linalool) have been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure.

How to Use: Place dried flower buds in a sachet under your pillow, or brew a calming tea with the buds.

Chamomile (*Matricaria chamomilla*): This classic sleepytime ingredient contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which may bind to brain receptors that promote sleepiness and reduce insomnia.

How to Use: Harvest the blossoms and steep them fresh or dried for a gentle, apple-scented evening tea.

Lemon Balm (*Melissa officinalis*): A member of the mint family with a cheerful, lemony scent. Lemon balm is a traditional remedy for nervousness, anxiety, and restlessness.

How to Use: Crush the leaves and steep them for a relaxing tea, or simply rub a few fresh leaves on your pulse points before bed.

Valerian (*Valeriana officinalis*): Often considered the most powerful natural sleep aid, the root of this plant contains valerenic acid, which interacts with neurotransmitters to induce a sedative effect.

How to Use: This herb is typically consumed as an extract or capsule, as the tea made from the roots has a very strong, earthy odor (some describe it as "sweaty socks").

Quick Guide to Mastering Vermicomposting in the Desert

Vermicomposting, using worms to turn food scraps into rich, organic fertilizer is a gardener's dream. But when the thermometer hits triple digits, keeping your composting worms (typically Red Wigglers) happy in a desert climate requires a strategic approach. Worms thrive between 40°F and 80°F; high heat is a killer!

The Desert Worm's Survival Guide

To keep your worm bin thriving, focus on insulation, location, and moisture control.

Location, Location, Sub-Surface Location: The single most effective strategy is to bury your bin. Dig a trench and partially or fully sink a wooden, plastic, or concrete block bin into the ground. This uses the Earth's natural insulation to mimic a root cellar, keeping temperatures significantly cooler and more stable than an above-ground bin.

Insulation is Key: For above-ground bins, place them in the deepest shade you can find (north side of a building or under a dense, non-deciduous tree). You can also insulate the outside of the bin with straw bales or old layers of cardboard.

The Evaporative Cooling Trick: Place a thick layer of a water-absorbent material, like a piece of burlap or an old sheet, on top of the bedding, just inside the bin. Keep this material consistently moist. The evaporation from this layer acts like a mini-swamp cooler for the entire system, lowering the internal temperature.

Chill Your Scraps: Freeze food scraps before adding them. Not only does this kill off potential fruit fly eggs, but the slow thawing process acts like a slow-release cooling pack for the bin.

Desert Note: Worms need more moisture in the desert than in humid climates (optimal is 70-85%). Check your bedding frequently and use a loose-fitting cover to help trap the metabolically produced moisture.

How Gardening Supports Mental Health

In a world that moves fast, full of screens, schedules, and stress, the garden offers something rare, and quiet. The simple act of putting your hands in the soil, tending to plants, and watching life grow can do wonders for the mind and spirit. Gardening isn’t just about growing food; it’s about growing peace, patience, and presence.

At the Ridgecrest Community Garden, we’ve seen how time in the garden helps people reconnect with nature, with others, and with themselves. Science backs this up: gardening lowers stress hormones, boosts mood, and improves overall well-being. But beyond the data, anyone who’s spent an hour among plants knows the truth, and that is gardening simply makes you feel better.

The Healing Power of the Garden

Reduces Stress and Anxiety
The rhythm of gardening—digging, watering, weeding—naturally slows the body and calms the mind. Being outdoors and connected to nature lowers cortisol levels, easing tension and helping you feel grounded.

1. Encourages Mindfulness
   Gardening teaches you to pay attention: how the soil feels, how the leaves change, how the air smells after watering. This mindfulness helps shift focus away from worries and toward the present moment.

2. Builds Community and Connection
   Gardening with others, whether at home or in a community space, fosters a sense of belonging. Shared work, laughter, and conversation help reduce feelings of isolation and increase joy.

3. Boosts Physical Health and Mental Clarity
   Light physical activity like planting and watering increases endorphins. Fresh air, sunlight, and movement all support a clearer mind and more balanced mood.

Herbs That Soothe the Mind and Soul

Beyond vegetables and flowers, herbs are some of the most powerful plants for emotional and mental well-being. Their scents and medicinal properties can calm the nervous system, improve sleep, and promote relaxation. Here are three beautiful herbs to grow for mental health support—especially well-suited for Ridgecrest’s climate.

💜 Lavender – Calm and Clarity

Known for its soothing fragrance, lavender is a natural stress reliever. Studies show that its aroma can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and even lower heart rate.

• How to grow: Lavender thrives in full sun and well-drained soil—perfect for our desert environment.

• How to use: Dry the flowers for tea or sachets, make a calming oil, or simply brush the leaves to release the scent.

🍋 Lemon Balm – The Mood Lifter

A gentle member of the mint family, lemon balm has a bright citrus scent that uplifts the spirit and calms nervous tension. It’s often used in herbal teas to ease anxiety and support restful sleep.

• How to grow: Prefers partial sun and regular watering. It’s easy to grow and spreads quickly.

• How to use: Brew fresh leaves for tea, or crush them between your fingers for an instant mood boost from the aroma.

🌿 Sage – The Purifier

Sage has long been used in many cultures for cleansing and clarity—both physical and spiritual. Its earthy, grounding scent can help focus the mind and clear emotional heaviness.

• How to grow: Sage loves the sun and tolerates dry soil, making it another desert-friendly herb.

• How to use: Use fresh leaves in cooking, dry them for tea, or bundle them as a natural air purifier for your home.

Amending Desert Soil

Gardening in the desert can feel like an uphill battle. The native soil is often compacted, lacks organic matter, and tends to be highly alkaline (high pH). To grow a vibrant garden, you must transform this challenging base into a hospitable growing medium.

The Challenge of Desert Soil

​Before you start digging, understand what you're up against:

• ​Sand and Silt: Desert soil is typically high in sand and silt, leading to poor water retention and quick nutrient leaching.

• ​Low Organic Matter: The rapid decomposition and lack of natural plant life result in very little humus (decomposed organic matter), which is vital for soil structure and fertility.

• ​High Alkalinity: Most desert soils have a pH above 7.0, often reaching 8.0 or higher. This high pH can make essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and manganese unavailable to plants, leading to deficiencies (often seen as yellowing leaves, or chlorosis).

• ​Compaction: Lack of organic matter means the soil particles don't clump well, leading to dense, hard soil that restricts root growth and drainage.

​The Golden Rule: Add Organic Matter

​Organic matter is the single most important amendment for desert soil. It acts like a sponge, improving almost every soil deficiency:

• ​Water Retention: It holds water longer, reducing the frequency of irrigation.

• ​Nutrient Retention: It binds to nutrients, preventing them from washing away.

• ​Structure Improvement: It breaks up compacted clay and gives body to sandy soil, promoting aeration and drainage.

• ​pH Buffering: While it won't drastically change the pH overnight, it helps create a more neutral environment in the root zone.

​Key Organic Amendments:

• ​Compost: This is your best friend. Use well-rotted garden compost, leaf mold, or purchased compost. Mix in a generous amount (at least 3-6 inches) into the top foot of your garden bed.

• ​Manure: Well-aged cow, steer, or chicken manure is excellent, adding both organic matter and nutrients. Never use fresh manure, as it can burn roots.

• ​Cover Crops: Planting and then tilling in "green manures" like legumes (e.g., fava beans, peas) or cereal grains (e.g., rye) can dramatically improve the soil structure over time.

The Long Game

Amending desert soil isn't a one-time task; it's an ongoing process. Every season, continue to top-dress your garden beds with compost and mulch to keep the organic matter levels high. With consistent effort, your desert plot will transform from a barren landscape into a rich, water-wise garden oasis. Happy growing!

Easy to Grow Vegetables For Fall Gardening

As the heat of summer fades, Desert gardeners are greeted with one of the most rewarding seasons to grow food: fall. The cooler temperatures, softer sunlight, and gentler winds create the perfect environment for vegetables that prefer mild weather. Unlike summer crops that struggle under desert heat, fall vegetables thrive when the days shorten and the soil holds its moisture longer.

Whether you’re a beginner just getting started or a seasoned gardener looking to expand your harvest, fall offers plenty of options to grow fresh, nutritious food right here in the desert.

Gardening in the fall isn’t just about fresh food, it’s about connection. In desert communities, where resources can be scarce and food deserts are a reality, growing your own vegetables builds resilience. It saves money, provides healthy meals, and strengthens ties to the land and community.

Leafy greens are the stars of fall gardening. They germinate quickly, don’t need much space, and are ready to harvest in weeks rather than months.

Three Must Have Leafy Greens

• Lettuce – From crisp romaine to tender butterhead, lettuce is easy to grow and can be harvested leaf by leaf for continuous salads.

• Spinach – Thrives in cool nights, grows in containers, and makes a perfect nutrient-rich addition to meals.

• Kale – Hardy and versatile, kale can be picked young for salads or left to mature for hearty soups.

Tip: Plant small batches every 2–3 weeks to enjoy a steady supply of greens throughout fall and early winter.

Three Easy Root Vegetables to Grow

Root vegetables thrive in Ridgecrest’s sandy soil, especially when amended with compost. As the temperatures cool, these crops become sweeter and more flavorful.

• Carrots – Loosen the soil deeply before planting for straight, smooth carrots.

• Radishes – One of the quickest crops to grow; you can be harvesting in just 3–4 weeks.

• Beets – A double harvest crop—you can eat both the roots and the nutrient-rich greens.

Why they’re great for kids: Harvesting root vegetables feels like digging for treasure, making them a fun family-friendly crop.

Cool Season Favorites

Some vegetables take longer to mature, but fall is the perfect time to grow them. These crops love cool weather and reward your patience with hearty meals.

• Broccoli – Produces large, tasty heads, and if you leave the plant, side shoots keep producing after the first harvest.

• Cauliflower – Needs steady water but thrives in cooler temps, giving you a dense, delicious head.

• Cabbage – Stores well after harvest and is perfect for soups, slaws, or sauerkraut.

Tip: These crops benefit from starting as transplants rather than seed, giving them a head start before temperatures dip too low.

Plant Now, Eat Later

Fall isn’t just for fast crops, you can also plant long-term staples in October that will reward you months later.

• Garlic – Separate a bulb into cloves and plant each clove. They’ll quietly grow through the cool season, ready for harvest by late spring.

• Onions – Sets (small onion bulbs) are the easiest way to start, and they’ll develop over the winter for an early summer harvest.

• Potatoes – Tuck seed potatoes into the soil now, and by spring you’ll be digging up a rich harvest.

Think of these as your “future food”—a little effort now gives you big rewards later.

Relieve Self Isolation Tension with These 5 Strategies

Staying home might be the healthiest option right now, but that doesn’t make it easy. Especially for couples and families, tensions are high with everyone in such close quarters. There are ways to make things easier, though. Here are five strategies for restoring peace at home.

Unplug and Head Outside

It’s a scientific fact that spending time in nature can help reduce stress. But unfortunately, many kids (and their adults) don’t spend enough time in nature. To combat nature deficit, the whole family can head outside together—whether to the backyard, a nearby park, or even a campsite.

Once you’re in the great outdoors, active pursuits can help the whole family burn off stress and stay healthy. Biking, hiking, running, and even rock climbing are excellent ways to get moving while enjoying the fresh air and sun.

If you’re not sure where to start, or just need some motivation, consider working with Holistic Divine Innovations for personalized support to help you connect with nature and, therefore, yourself.

Plug in (Together)

While too much screen time can be detrimental, there are perks to technology, too. For example, bored kids and adults can bond over gaming. Studies suggest that intergenerational game play is great for kids’ development and family relationships, notes Forbes. Choosing games you can play side-by-side can also encourage kids to open up about their fears and stressors. For couples, gaming together can help strengthen your bond.

Of course, if you want to play online multiplayer games like Fortnite, you’ll need the right equipment. If your internet is lacking, consider an alternative fiber optic service from a company like Verizon. With robust internet, the whole household can play games and handle downloads without unbearable lag time.

Enlist Outside Help

Whether it’s seeking therapy with remote check-ins or getting assessed for a health issue, “doing work” on yourself can help ease tension at home. Very Well Mind highlights online therapy options for everything from couples therapy to peer support to psychiatry consultations.

Whatever you choose, learning new coping strategies can help you handle your kids’ meltdowns, your partner’s frustrations, and household drama a bit easier. Plus, if you’re struggling with your mental health, talking to a professional might be the first step toward feeling better.

Start New Routines

Being stuck at home has thrown a wrench in many families’ regular routines. Since no one’s leaving for work, school, or even grocery shopping on a regular schedule anymore, days can become muddled. One way to reclaim the calm in your home is by establishing new routines.

Parents know that routines are beneficial for babies’ and toddlers’ development, but they’re helpful for the whole family, too. As Motherly explains, “routines and rituals” can help your family connect more effectively and experience more joy together.

Think about implementing routines for mealtimes, schoolwork, and your working hours. But be sure to factor in memory-making routines like movie nights, special desserts, or backyard campouts, too. You can even have a routine of regular house cleaning and decluttering together so that you can cut back on chores and spend more time doing the things you love.

Learn a New Hobby

For both children and adults, spending time on enjoyable hobbies can be rewarding. Relaxing indoor activities can also help you recover after a tough day or help reduce anxiety. Of course, a hobby like rock climbing or birdwatching can be rewarding, too.

All ages can get in on family-friendly hobbies like learning a new language, knitting, scrapbooking, or cooking. Whether you want to stay indoors or head out, a hobby can help pass the time and keep your brain busy.

Staying home in self-isolation can mean lots of pent-up frustration. But by being proactive about relieving stress, you can help your household feel calmer and more at ease. It’s not easy to isolate, but implementing these strategies is a step toward a more bearable lockdown experience for everyone.

Photo via Rawpixel

Article written by Emma Grace

Why Should I Practice Gardening

Gardening is a widely practiced activity and intervention used to help connect us to nature, and our purpose. Gardening is our way of saying, “We are investing in our tomorrow, and serves as a reminder that what we nurture will grow. Gardening is used as a way to nurture our mind, body, and spirit. Gardening serves as a way to regulate the brain, and redirect our thoughts. When the brain is regulated, we are able to produce more positive thoughts. Plants are used to feed the body, which powers us to put in the work necessary to bring our dreams in to existence. Being around plants soothes the soul by bringing us closer to nature. When we become closer to nature, we become more in tune with our purpose in life.

Practicing Stillness Through Guided Meditation

Meditation is essential to our health and wellness. Our minds are racing throughout the day, and are full of wanted and unwanted thoughts. It is important for us to practice stillness meditation to slow down our thoughts, and become one with the present moment. The world is forever moving as we progress through different thoughts, scents, movements, and emotions. With the world moving so fast, everything we come across, and the forever changing emotions we are constantly feeling can cause confusion. Stillness meditation helps creates balance, and helps us connection to our divine selves. When we engage in stillness meditation, we are closing down our speech, and resting our body to help our mind come to a rest. This does not necessarily mean that we will have a moment of complete silence, nor does this mean we will be able to make ourselves come in to a complete stillness. We have to simply allow it to happen.

Being still physically will help us to allow internal stillness. Once the flow of our internal selves come to a state of stillness, we will be able to have a sense of heightened concentration. When this is occurring, you may have thoughts and emotions that will occur. Be present. Welcome your emotions and become the observer of your thoughts. In that moment, you will feel a sense of oneness. Stillness meditation can increase your awareness and consciousness. Also, it will allow you to enter a deep relaxation.

Watch this video as Ms. Wang guides us through a stillness meditation practice.