Gladden Farms is fertile ground for growth. Long before it became a community, it was sprawling farmland — a legacy that lives on today in its numerous parks, grassy lawns and shady groves. Over 12,000 trees flourish throughout the community, a number that grows with each new home. This abundant, mature greenery — fed by a unique non-potable water irrigation system — sets Gladden Farms apart as the lushest community in Tucson.

Now, it’s your turn to plant something great. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, there are plenty of ways to get your hands in the dirt and grow in Gladden Farms.

Where to garden at Gladden Farms 🌱

Your own backyard

Whether you’re planting flowers, herbs or fruit trees, your own home is the perfect place to start! And now is the perfect time to prep your beds and amend the soil before the monsoon’s nourishing rains bring a second harvest to our region.

As you plant your backyard oasis, protect any delicate plants from the strong afternoon sun with shade cloth. Container gardening — especially with wheeled planters — makes it easy to move your veggies and blooms into the shade during the hottest months. Grouping containers together helps your plants thrive by maintaining stable soil temperatures, while using ollas cuts down on daily watering.

If you’re adding fruit-bearing trees and plants, be sure to confine them to your backyard to avoid inviting unwelcome critters into the neighborhood. Modifications to your garden also need to be approved by the community’s ARC process prior to installation.

Marana Heritage River Park’s Community Garden patches

We’re also lucky to have Marana Heritage River Park’s charming community garden right in the neighborhood, giving you more opportunities to grow your own produce and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Sign up for a plot — irrigation is included! — and decorate your garden with a personal touch.

Join gardening classes

Not much of a green thumb? No problem! Explore gardening basics with regularly scheduled hands-on classes right in the community garden. Nature to You, in collaboration with Marana Parks & Recreation, offers beginner-friendly, year-round workshops for all ages to help you grow a thriving garden. Check out Marana Parks and Recreation’s online activity guide to register the whole family for fun quality time playing in the dirt, planting healthy foods and enjoying a bountiful harvest!

Marana Community Garden, courtesy of Marana Parks & Recreation

What to grow 🌺

Tucson’s desert climate supports a wide variety of beautiful and productive plants. Consider starting with native species, drought-resistant flowers or vegetables well-suited to our environment.

For a garden-to-table experience, try:

• Heat-loving veggies like eggplant, tomatoes, tomatillos and Armenian-style cucumbers
• Cantaloupe or watermelon with a sturdy trellis for support
• The Three Sisters — corn, beans and squash. Plant corn in late June or early July, followed by beans once the corn is 6 to 12 inches tall, then squash once the beans sprout. The corn will act as a trellis for the beans as they climb, while the squash will spread low, acting as mulch to tamp down weeds and keep the soil cool.

Looking to bring a pop of color to your yard? Try these colorful blooms that thrive in the heat:

• Marigolds
• Sunflowers (for best result, plant them on the west side of flowerbeds to protect other plants from the sun)
• Zinnias
• Salvia
• Coreopsis
• Cosmos, seeded now for late summer blooms

Planting trees in your backyard is another great way to add color to your views along with shade for your plants, people and pets. Be sure to consult with the Gladden Farms Community Association for guidelines and approved plant lists that protect our community’s beauty — and property values.

How to design your garden 🌳

Looking for guidance? Check out the Town of Marana’s handy Southern Arizona Planting Guide to inform your seed selections throughout the seasons.

Then head to the Seed Library from Pima County Library, a fantastic community resource. With just a library card, you can borrow up to ten seed packets a month to kickstart your garden. Later, you can contribute by donating heirloom, locally saved or open-pollinated seeds to keep the cycle of growth going for others.

There are also plenty of excellent nurseries close to home where experts can help you plan your dream backyard.

Nurseries near Gladden Farms

• Moon Valley Nurseries, 13300 N Postvale Rd, Marana (three minutes from home!): The country’s largest box tree grower offers trees, palms, shrubs, cacti and landscaping services right around the corner.
• Acacia Nursery, 8080 W Tangerine Rd, Marana (10 minutes from home): This nursery carries the largest selection of citrus and fruit trees in Tucson plus native cacti, including Saguaros ranging from 1-30 feet tall.
• Bach’s Greenhouse Cactus Nursery, 8602 N Thornydale Rd, Tucson (20 minutes from home): Family-owned for 40+ years, here you’ll find a vast selection of native cacti across 11 acres.

Grow with Gladden Farms 🌱

Nestled in North Marana, Gladden Farms blends peaceful countryside living with easy access to I-10 and Marana’s thriving recreation, shopping and dining options. Whether you’re seeking an open-concept home with a dedicated kids play area or a peaceful patio to unwind, here you’ll find affordable new Tucson homes that blend modern convenience with small-town charm. And with monthly mortgages often lower than rent, Gladden Farms makes homeownership easy.

Ready to grow something great? Explore floor plans from award-winning builders and see why life blooms best at Gladden Farms! 🌻