Question
I recently moved to las vegas nevada. I have started growing tomatoes,red bell pepper,basil,cilantro,parsley (flat and curled), mint,oregano and rosemary, I can only grow them on the balcony.small apartment. I've been told nothing will grow past july. I know the rosemary will make it.Plus I'm new at this gardening stuff,well pretty new. The first two years I did ok .That was in holland but I gave up both times  because my house was taken over by insects attracted to the herbs (the indoor garden)They came through the screens and annoyed my guest arrgh!  a little embarrassing.
The next year I was in humid S Carolina and it did as far as I would know, pretty good. I sprayed soap on them. plus they were on a enclosed porch. Now I don't expect to moving again ,so I really want to know what I can do to be successful.   I already see I have to do water checks more often and it isn't even as hot as it will be. please any information you can offer will be well appreciated.
                         Thanks Miyoshi
P.S. Any books out there dealing with herb gardening in the desert?

Answer
Hi Miyoshi,

Whether you move again or not (LOL) your herbs can go with you.  :)

Herbs are excellent choices for starting in the desert.  Basil and cilantro are annuals and will need to be replanted every year anyway once the go to seed but they start easily and that won't be an issue.  Mint wants a bit of shade and more water than a lot of herbs.  Try it in a window that gets filtered sun or indirect sun and I'd suggest indoors for that one.  Rosemary will do fine once established.  Keep an eye on the watering the first summer.  You can over AND under water rosemary unfortunately.  The oregano is in the mint family but will tolerate drought if it isn't in full sun all day.  If you have a spot where it will get morning sun and afternoon shade it will probably do great.

I'd suggest a standard potting mix with some (maybe a third more) extra perlite added for better drainage for all except the mint.

Another herb that would do well is Sage.  It will tolerate full sun and drought once established.  Also the thymes will tolerate some drought under the same conditions as oregano.

I haven't found a desert herb gardening book so far (I'm still looking) but any herb book will work as long as you use caution anytime they say "tolerates full sun" or "needs full sun".  Maybe in Kansas but not in the desert.

The tomato on the other hand is going to stop setting fruit once temps rise above 100 and stay there.  The pepper may continue to set fruit if it has some protection from afternoon shade.  Next year you'll know to start the vegies MUCH earlier than you would anyplace else.  I have an internet buddy in NV.  He plants tomato see in early Dec... He also has a fall crop of tomatos.  Try starting seeds indoors in July for putting outside in Aug.  As temps start cooling off you may do very well.  

I hope I've helped.  Have fun

Chris