According to vv. 3-6 and Zech. 8:19a, in their ritualistic religion the people of Israel wept, fasted, and separated themselves in the tenth month to express their grieving for the attacking and besieging of Jerusalem by the Babylonians (Jer. 52:4), in the fourth month to express their grieving for the breaking down of the city of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:3-4), in the fifth month to express their grieving for the burning of the temple of God and the city of Jerusalem (Jer. 52:12-13), and in the seventh month to express their grieving for the murder of Gedaliah (2 Kings 25:22-26). In vv. 7-14 and in Zech. 8:16-17, 19b, Jehovah advised Israel to turn from the vanity of their ritualistic religion to Jehovah and to the reality of a godly life, a life full of righteousness, lovingkindness, compassion, truth, and peace. This would bring in the times of restoration mentioned in Zech. 8:2-23.

I.e., the dry southern desert of Canaan.