Strugglin

[lark60 430]

I have tried to garden but the heat and low humidity here makes this near impossible. I tried last year and even though I started in Feb. all the plants stopped growing and never flowered when the temp went over 100.

I did buy a gardenia plant today (I love the flowers and fragrance) I plan on keeping this plant in a pot so I can move it if I find it isn't thriving. My mom has a gardenia bush at her house that is as tall as me so I know these can survive.

As for books, I am a prolific reader. I used to have a library room but donated my books when I down sized into a smaller house. Now I prefer to listen to audio books while I knit, crochet, weave or tat. I have over 100 titles on audible. I switched to audio books when I realized I tended to snack while I sat and read a book. I keep my hands busy by crafting and still enjoy "reading" by listening. Multitasking has helped prevent snacking.

[swimbikerun 1,039]

Have you tried the Master Gardeners Extensions?

http://ag.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/mg/

http://extension.arizona.edu/maricopamg

http://www.phxgardening.com/grow-vegetables.html

http://www.phoenixtropicals.com/vegetables.html

http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/outdoors/articles/20100317arizona-spring-planting-guide.html

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/azgard/msg1116045925629.html

They all can show and help you to grow crops in the heat. I've used the ones here in Virginia. They're great. Some of them even will allow you to swap stuff with them or teach you things like dehydration, canning, etc.

Speaking of which, what about homesteading? Have you looked into that?

http://homesteading-arizona.blogspot.com/

http://www.motherearthnews.com/homesteading-and-livestock/yavapai-county-zmaz87jfzgoe.aspx

http://thepaleomama.com/2013/10/urbanhomesteading/

http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/general-homesteading-forums/homesteading-questions/285458-az-homesteading.html

All of these are ways that you can save money and use less resources, conserve. Things you can do around the house. I know here there are groups that allow you to trade, swap and barter.

If you can get to a library also, there are ways of getting books on that, or info.

What else have you checked into like this?