Gardening in the desert is no easy task.
Water, water, water. I've developed a deep love for soaker hoses.
Use drip tape to water your plants. Cover the tape and soil around your plant with straw to preserve water and increase the microbiology.
Using a Blumat Tropf automatic irrigation system changed the game for me, and it saved water. You can customize to your layout and needs, and you can set how wet/dry you'd like it to be. Plus, the best part is it is 100% mechanical; no batteries or electrical connections needed.
Always border your beloved planter beds with mint to keep all the critters out!
We make our own compost straight from our home.
We built tiered garden beds with a shade structure. The wind tore down the shade structure, so lessons learned for next year.
Spring and summer, I’ve had luck with okra, sage, oregano, peppers, squash, rosemary, salvia, rose bushes, lavender, kale, and cilantro. Good fall and winter crops are carrots, lettuce, spinach, kale, beets, and radishes.
You can add a small handful of 100% alfalfa pellets into the soil around your plants. It will increase the growth of your plant and the microbiology of your soil.
Shade cloth is a key to successful growing in the desert: 30% for summer crops and 50% for leafy greens.
My uncle always said if you are transplanting a tree or a bush, be sure to attach a ribbon facing east and plant facing the same direction as they become accustomed to morning sun (helps with shock of transplanting).
Other helpful tips:
- Know your climate/planting zone
- Plan your garden ahead of time
- Prepare your soil
- Fertilize crops
- Water properly
- Pest control
- Harvest accordingly
Resources:
- https://pubs.nmsu.edu/howto/index.html
- https://desertblooms.nmsu.edu/
- https://pubs.nmsu.edu/_circulars/CR457/
Photos from Sun Country Homes & Gardens courtesy of Mikayla DeHoyos Photography
Article written by Michele Robertson and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2024 Spring edition.
Michele Robertson
There are many facets to what makes me who I am. Enjoying time in nature while practicing "leave no trace" principles and doing interesting, educational, and cultural activities with my kids tops the list of my favorite things. I’m also a community advocate and volunteer, doing what I can to make a positive impact.
