My Patio Garden in Arizona Heat: What’s Growing, What’s Not, and What We’re Changing

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When I started this little patio garden, I thought I was growing vegetables.

Turns out, I was growing memories too.

This spring has been a learning experience, especially with Arizona temperatures already trying to cook everything in sight. Some plants are thriving, some have packed up and left the chat, and a few are surprising me every single morning.

The biggest surprise, though, came home with me after a Mother’s Day trip to Pittsburgh.

The Ancho Chili Story That Started It All

This past Mother’s Day, I flew out to visit my son Garrett and my granddaughter Charlie, who was celebrating her 7th birthday.

Now, Garrett makes one of my favorite meals in the whole world.

Birria.

This was only the second time he had made it for me, and both times were for Mother’s Day. The meat is incredible—fall-apart tender—but what really makes it special is the homemade sauce he creates from dried ancho chilies.

I was standing in the kitchen watching him work his magic when I noticed the dried chilies.

“Save those seeds for me.”

He laughed, but he did.

By the time I returned to Arizona, I had a little bag of ancho chili seeds tucked into my suitcase.

I planted them almost immediately.

And now?

They’re growing.

Every morning I walk outside with my coffee and check on those tiny plants. It probably sounds silly, but seeing them push through the soil makes me smile every single time.

Those little sprouts remind me of Mother’s Day, family dinners, and time spent with people I love.

That’s a lot of meaning packed into one tiny seed.

If you want to grow your own poblano ancho peppers from scratch, these heirloom Poblano Ancho Grande Pepper Seeds on Amazon are a great place to start—non-GMO, open-pollinated, and just like the ones Garrett used.

Charlie’s Broccoli

My granddaughter Charlie has always been a little different.

Most seven-year-olds are asking for cookies and candy.

Charlie loves broccoli.

I know. I still can’t believe it either.

So naturally, when I started planning this season’s garden, broccoli had to be included.

The broccoli plants are growing nicely, and every time I see them, I think about her.

One of the things I love most about gardening is how certain plants become connected to certain people. The garden stops being just vegetables and starts becoming stories.

What’s Growing Right Now

Despite the Arizona heat trying its best to humble me, several plants are doing surprisingly well.

The tomatoes continue to produce and seem determined to keep going.

The bell peppers are hanging in there and looking healthier since we made a few adjustments.

The jalapeños appear to love the heat far more than I do.

The cucumbers are growing nicely and have become one of the plants I’m most excited about watching.

Every morning there’s something new to check on.

A new leaf.

A little more growth.

A reminder that progress often happens slowly.

The Plant That Didn’t Make It

Let’s have a moment of silence for the romaine lettuce.

Arizona summer won.

The lettuce tried.

I tried.

But once those temperatures started climbing, it became pretty clear who was going to win that battle.

That’s one thing gardening teaches you quickly.

Not every plant is meant for every season.

Sometimes you celebrate the wins.

Sometimes you pull out the lettuce.

What We’re Changing

One thing I’ve learned is that the garden setup that worked in spring doesn’t necessarily work in summer.

The Arizona sun is no joke.

As temperatures started climbing, I found myself moving containers around the patio trying to find the sweet spot between sunlight and survival.

Some plants have been relocated more than once.

A few probably think they’ve moved neighborhoods.

But the biggest improvement has been adding shade cloth.

I wasn’t sure how much difference it would make, but it has helped tremendously. The plants still get plenty of light, but they’re no longer getting blasted during the hottest part of the afternoon. The tomatoes, peppers, and young chili plants seem much happier.

Honestly, so do I.

If you garden in a hot climate, I cannot recommend shade cloth enough. This 70% black shade cloth on Amazon is the type that’s made a real difference for my patio setup—it blocks the brutal afternoon sun while still letting in plenty of light for healthy growth.

Garden Tools That Are Making Life Easier

As a beginner gardener at 67, I’ve learned that a few simple tools can make a huge difference. I’m not trying to be a pro—I just want to work smarter, not harder. Here are the items currently earning their keep on my Arizona patio:

• Shade cloth — The game changer for hot climates. This 70% shade cloth protects plants from intense afternoon sun without blocking growth-essential light.
• Rolling plant caddies — These are a lifesaver when you need to move heavy containers around to chase shade or sun. This heavy-duty rolling plant caddy holds up to 440 lbs and has been worth every penny.
• Self-watering planters — In Arizona heat, consistent moisture is everything. Self-watering planters like this one keep roots hydrated without the daily guesswork—especially helpful on the hottest days.
• Soil moisture meter — I used to guess when plants needed water. Not anymore. This 4-in-1 soil moisture meter also measures pH, temperature, and sunlight intensity—it takes all the guesswork out.
• Long watering wand — At 67, bending down repeatedly to water plants was not working for me. This telescoping watering wand extends from 36″ to 60″ and has a 180° adjustable head—it has genuinely saved my back.
• Tomato supports — Once those tomatoes really take off, they need structure. These rust-resistant tomato cages from Vego Garden are sturdy enough to hold up heavy plants even in windy conditions.
• Raised planters — Container gardening on a patio is much easier when you’re not working at ground level. This tall raised garden bed from Vego Garden is perfect for patios and gives you a proper growing depth for vegetables.

None of these tools are fancy.

They’re simply helping me work smarter instead of harder.

At 67, I am perfectly okay with that.

What This Garden Is Teaching Me

Gardening after 60 feels a lot like life after 60.

You make plans.

Life laughs.

You adapt.

I’ve killed plants. I’ve relocated plants. I’ve stood in the summer heat at 7 a.m. wondering what I was thinking when I decided to start a garden in Arizona.

And then I walk over to my little ancho chili seedlings—the ones that came from seeds that came from a dinner my son made for me on Mother’s Day—and every doubt just disappears.

It simply keeps growing.

And somehow, it reminds me that I can too.

What’s Next

As summer settles into Arizona, I’ll continue making adjustments, learning as I go, and probably losing a few more plants along the way.

That’s okay.

This isn’t about creating a perfect garden.

It’s about enjoying the process.

It’s about growing food, making memories, and finding joy in small things.

And right now, one of those small things is a tiny ancho chili plant that started with a Mother’s Day meal and a handful of seeds from my son.

I’d call that a pretty good harvest.

Have you planted anything this year? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear what’s growing in your garden.