Nancy Schmehl needs no introduction in the Phoenix gardening circles. She is an admin in one of the largest facebook gardening groups, Organic Gardens of Maricopa County, and shares her invaluable knowledge with our gardening community. That knowledge and gardening experience is reflected in this fantastic property.
A huge shady mulberry graces the entrance to her garden. A patch of blackberries have happily established underneath, while sweet potato vine creeps along as a ground cover. On the far end, I notice very healthy looking fruit trees. Nancy gardens on a property that is just under an acre. It is an irrigated lot which is perfect for fruit trees. A neighborhood cat keeps us company as Nancy shows me around. This is her little garden buddy.
Life is visible everywhere here. There are several artichoke plants in flower that are supporting the pollinators. Herbs and roses are interspersed in between the artichokes. Close by, a shaded veggie patch is in high production. Cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, and eggplants are grown together, providing in abundance. Several carrot plants are flowering and on the way to setting seed. They house many assassin bugs and attract scores of pollinators. The orchard area of the property includes apple trees, citrus, loquat, pomegranate, and mulberries. There are also figs, peaches and a lovely banana patch. Everything is green and lush and covered in fruit. Blackberry season is over for Nancy, and she has been harvesting peaches, and now, apples are starting to ripen as well. There will be an plethora of produce all season long.
We sit down to find out what inspired this garden.
What is gardening to you?
It is a connection to my mom. When I am out there, she is on my mind. It is sad that she never got to see what it has become.
It is also my exercise and my sanity. It always lifts my spirits. It is being able to eat organic, fresh and tasty food. I missed my mom’s tomatoes and also citrus. The ones in the store tastes so bad and the citrus is not like the citrus from Santa Barbara. Having this garden means I can grow my own.
How did your garden adventure begin?
When I lived in an apartment here, my husband got me a bulb of the month subscription. I bought pots and soil and planted them and they grew. I had a very stressful job, it was my antidote. I would come home and sit with my plants. Later we moved to a rental home and the owner said I could have a garden. I planted tomatoes and zucchini and got the bug!
What changes have you made that have been really impactful?
Composting! It is the single biggest thing. It made a huge difference in plants thriving versus them just growing. The soil is more fertile. I got started with kitchen scraps. Friends from Canada were visiting, and told me about compost. My compost gets up to 160 degrees. I compost vegetable scraps and yard waste including grass trimmings. I do not compost anything in the solanaceae family since they could spread diseases. Joining the facebook garden groups also helped. Another really important change was allowing some plants to flower to bring in beneficial bugs. Cilantro and dill are lady bug factories, but also pollinator attractors. The carrots and artichokes are pollinator magnets. The carrots also bring in a lot of assassin bugs.
What do you enjoy growing?
Tomatoes! They are probably my number one, I am a tomato fanatic. Also the peaches, blackberries, apples and citrus. There is nothing like being out there and eating right from the garden. I love eating breakfast right out of the garden.
What do you want other gardeners to know about your garden?
It’s not perfect. It’s messy and weedy. Perfection is not required.
What are your biggest gardening challenges?
Battling invasive weeds. Some came from the bird feeders.
What are your biggest successes?
Tomatoes! I KNOW how to grow tomatoes. Compost. Pomegranates.
Any tips to share with others?
Compost! There’s a theme here. Compost! Compost! Compost!
What would grow in your dream garden if climate was not an obstacle?
Lilacs! I had a Persian lilac here, but it was not an ideal spot and eventually died. I have not been able to find another one. The smell of lilacs is like nothing else. I love them so much, one sniff takes me back immediately to a summer evening in my childhood, playing hide and seek with the other kids in the neighborhood.
Mama, Daddy, and Grandma would be so proud of you! As am I. Love you!
Great article about a beautiful gardener and lover of nature in it’s many forms.
We think she is too!