If you live in an area out in the desert, you know the flora and weather is drastically different from tropical and temperate regions. Trying to plant a successful garden can be frustrating for any number of reasons, but the addition of an arid climate and nutrient-poor soil only magnify the difficulty. Don’t lose hope, though, intrepid green thumb. A lush oasis can be yours, even the in the middle of the desert.
Climate
A primary concern in desert areas is the weather. The Southwestern part of the United States is prone to a searing, dry heat during the daytime, with drastically cooler temperatures in the evenings. The temperature fluctuations from day to night are much more pronounced in desert areas over temperate areas. Hence, plants need to be hearty and adaptable. To that same end, deserts obviously receive much less rainfall, so water-conserving plants and succulents thrive over many other species.
Soil
The next major obstacle for desert gardeners is the soil content. Nutrient-poor, high in alkaline and salt, and often mixed with a high sand content, it’s simply a struggle getting the right mix of nutrients to your plants. Also, with sandy soil, it’s harder for plants with shallower roots to stay in place. The best way to micromanage your soil, if you will, is by controlling the environment, i.e. making your own. Planters are great for a variety of reasons. Not only can you decide what exactly goes into your soil and how much, you can control pH levels, and even how much sunlight, shade and water your plants will receive by moving your mobile gardens to wherever they are best suited. If you choose to leave your garden on the ground, make sure to invest in a fertilizer that’s chockfull of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, the main nutrients plants need to be healthy.
Pests
One of the few advantages to planting in arid regions is that there simply aren’t as much bugs or pests around to eat and destroy plants. That’s not to say that random critters won’t go in for the occasional nibble, but the use of harsh and toxic pesticides is usually not needed.
Plants
So what exactly can you plant in the desert? Some of the heartier vegetables include the following: broccoli, brussels sprouts, celery, lettuce, onions, peas, radishes and pumpkins. All of these and more can take both the daytime heat as well as the chilly nights.
Then there are some plants that will succeed in mixed to fully sand soil conditions. These include many types of grasses, gum trees, myrtle, grevillea, banksia and much more.
Living in even the hottest parts of the world does not mean having to forego your love of fresh vegetables, beautiful flowers and the enjoyment of getting your hands dirty. With a little perseverance and know-how, you can prove that not only does life find a way, but it can in fact flourish in even the harshest environments.
