In article ,
songbird wrote:

Billy wrote:
songbird wrote:
...
plant hardy species (not miniaturized fruit
trees)

What's the knock on the hardiness of miniature fruit trees?

every book on fruit trees i've read recently
has noted that dwarfed fruit trees are not
that hardy when it comes to the root stock
because it is the roots which limit the size
of the tree. so the root system will not be
that hardy as compared to what a natural tree
might accomplish.

Agreed, it won't go as deep.

My thought about dappled shade during mid-day was to use an espalier of
a miniature fruit tree(s), and then plant close to it. This would assure
mid-day shade from a desert sun for veggies, and water for the 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...

and my reply was aimed more at Higgs in southern
CA, and not SteveB in Idaho (who has a much harder
winter climate) ( figs and dates).


songbird
--
Remember Rachel Corrie
http://www.rachelcorrie.org/

Welcome to the New America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA736oK9FPg