GROW A DESERT Oasis
Easy ways to combat drought, extreme temperatures and rock-filled soil.
WHEN YOU PICTURE THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, you may see dusty, windswept deserts that stretch for miles, with a lone cactus and occasional tumbleweed to break the monotony. That’s certainly one version.
Gardeners in the Southwest see another image— one that’s filled with the beautiful blooms of hardy native plants, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies. They know it takes hard work to get there, but they also know it’s worth it.
“So many people are eager to learn about sustainable gardening,” says Marisa Thompson, urban horticulture specialist at New Mexico State University (NMSU). “All over the region, people attend classes to understand a little more about water usage, drought stress, soil health, beneficial insect populations (including pollinators), species selection and wildlife habitats.”
Here are the most valuable lessons they learn.
plant nurseries also offer invaluable recommendations for any garden, no matter what environment you plant in.
The Rewards: Southwestern natives produce flowers and foliage that rival their relatives around the country, and many have wonderful wildlife value. Native wildflowers and shrubs attract butterflies, hummingbirds and bees; even cacti support animals and birds like the cactus wren.
DRY AS DUST
The Challenge: Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Atlanta, Georgia, both experience hot summers and mild winters. But while Atlanta receives an average of 47 inches of rain a year, Albuquerque makes do with a paltry 9 inches, most of that in the summer monsoon season. Any time of year, water is a treasured commodity in the Southwest.
The Solution: It’s super common for southwestern gardeners to use efficient, targeted irrigation like soaker hoses and micro sprayers. Water is too valuable (and expensive) to waste, so irrigation needs to get straight to the roots where it’s needed. “Mulch is key!” Marisa says. “Mulching helps insulate plant roots and maintains soil moisture in both winter and summer. Not to mention, mulch makes a fantastic weed barrier.”
The Rewards: Where the sun shines nearly every day, gardeners have plenty of time to enjoy the unique fruits of their labors. Plants that thrive there boast brilliant blooms and unique textures, all the more impressive contrasted with the parched landscapes around them.
CANTANKEROUS CALICHE
The Challenge: Ever sunk a shovel into the ground and heard the loud clang of impenetrable rock? Southwestern gardeners constantly contend with caliche (kuh-lee-chay), a layer of soil that’s been cemented together by calcium carbonate. It can be a thin crust or a layer several feet thick. The chance of striking caliche makes new plantings an adventure in the Southwest.
The Solution: Because caliche prevents plants from establishing healthy root systems and water from draining properly, southwestern gardeners have to punch through it. The planting hole should ideally be as deep as the root ball and four to five times as wide. “The goal is to get perennial roots to grow out horizontally in the soil where oxygen is available and water can be applied,” Marisa says.
The Rewards: Desert gardening is tough, but not impossible. Resilient and charming plants support bountiful wildlife, including more hummingbird species than anywhere else in the States. Southwestern gardeners are thoughtful and dedicated stewards of their land, and are rewarded with spectacular gifts every day.
Jill Staake lives in Tampa, Florida, where gardeners face their own challenges, like stifling humidity—and sand instead of soil. She loves it anyway.