Higgs Boson wrote:
David Hare-Scott wrote:
SteveB wrote:

I live in a basically high desert community of 3500' elevation. We

get our ag water for $100 a year.


!!!! What are you complaining about ???!! Count your blessing! I pay nearly that much per MONTH, including charge for sewers. (So Calif coastal). Am considering giving up growing vegs; too damn expensive.

there is so much more to gardening in an arid
climate that can help keep water use down.

plant wind breaks to help reduce evaporative
losses.

use deep mulches.

amend sandy soils with clay and organic
materials to help keep the moisture in place
instead of running through.

catch any heavy rains that produce runoff
so that it can soak in (swales, diversions, rock
walls, erosion strips and gullies).

use drip irrigation.

plant hardy species (not miniaturized fruit
trees) noted for being able to withstand the
climate, a few hours of dappled shade in the
midday can be important if the weather gets
really hot. fruit trees like dates and figs
are two i would plant in almost any dry climate
with enough sunshine and heat.

just a few things that come to mind...


songbird