Try some of the many thrift stores in Tucson or even yard sales. You'd be surprised at what you can find. I often see used gardening tools at yard or estate sales and they are very inexpensive, unless they're antique and that's a whole different story!

Sounds fun but I have a question for you. Where in Phoenix are you zone 11? I assume that is USDA. I wish!! Sunset zone for Phoenix is 13. Tucson and the higher desert locations are 12.

Tucson is a great place for gardening. The trick is soil preparation, soil preparation and soil preparation. You will need to water the area you plan to use with a soaker hose or by letting water trickle slowly from a hose. Watering slowly allows the water to soak down deep into the soil instead of running off. Wait 3 - 5 days before trying to dig. No need to buy packaged soil - instead create your own by using 4 inches native soil, 4 inches compost or composted mulch and 4 inches sand (if you have heavy clay soil). Blend well with a shovel or rototiller. Make sure your garden area gets at least 6 - 8 hours of sun. Shade cloth is handy when the weather gets hot next summer but for now you won't need it. Wait to plant tomatoes and basil until early next March - it gets too cold for them in the winter. You can plant things like lettuce, beets, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, carrots, peas, radishes, cabbage, and chard now. The University of Arizona has a wealth of information available on gardening in Tucson and its FREE. They even have classes and a demonstration garden to give you ideas. The demo garden is located at the Pima County Extension office at 4210 N. Campbell Avenue. Call them at 520-626-5161 or visit on line at http://cals.arizona.edu/pima/ The next gardening class isn't until early next year on Wed, 01/06/2010 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Murphy-Wilmot Library, 320 S. Wilmot Rd., Tucson, AZ. Good luck. Here is a link that might be useful: Ten Steps to a Successful Vegetable Garden

HAHAHA!!! To think, I'm just wanting to sell this stuff so I can go to Texas to see Slow and Flag!!lol! I really appreciate Everyone's support with this! I ran into a guy today at the local Flea Market, who was at the Garden Show(I remembered him cuz he had these HUGE Calla Lillies, like on steroids!!) and he told me to get my butt down to Victoria next weekend to a show down there that is for Mother's day, he said there is way more shoppers and it's Mother's Day!!! I'm thinking of looking into it tomorrow, as I seem to be as free as the breeze these days...Bachelorette #1, come on down!!!heh heh! When DHs away, the wife will play!!heh heh!