navigate the extremes:
assess elements in your urban garden. water, sun, soil and air qualities are those elements to assess in your situation for better gardening in city spaces.
FIRST THING - MAP YOUR SPACE with the following elements represented, including erosion areas, plumbed systems (spigots to sprinklers), path of the sun in summer/winter and any specific details on soil problems.
WATER - Conserving and recycling water are always important concepts to integrate into gardening practices. Data shows that weather can change abruptly; being ready by being cconserving ensures for a not so rainy day. Mulch, ollas, swails, ground sponges and 5 gallon buckets are all one-step ways to capture water.
WATER PT 2 - Being cautious with resources challenges the urban gardener to find creative solutions. Often a common sense approach will serve more than one purpose! Simple collection techniques or re-routing sink water are both examples of capturing water that can be better used before it goes down the drain. Some research says that plants prefer rain water -- even a gallon capacity can be used to perk up houseplants. And with the use of an eco-friendly dish detergent, this grey water could be said to help the chemistry of soil conditions in highly alkaline areas. Save and collect water any way that fits into your situation. Every bit helps. Albuquerque in particular escapes much of the brawling weather that can strike other parts of the state.
SUN - Lots and lots of it is usually associated with New Mexico. This becomes most important when choosing plants for the out of doors. Most often, plants are rated for conditions far different from the extremes of the southwest. The dry air and high altitude create intense conditions that can send a cushed-out California plant into shock. The secret for selecting an appropriate plant? Be sure the exposure in your planting spot matches the tag's lowest exposure. For example, if the plant's tag specifies exposure of partial shade to sun, place the plant in partial shade. For most other areas of the country without such intense sun, plant tags are accurate.
SOIL - Due to the intense sun, much of the soil in the Albuquerque area is baked, locking up nutrients and discouraging biological activity.
AIR - Its clear that plants can retrieve much of their required nutrients from the air around them. Moisture in
the air helps to support plants, just as humidity can be healthy for humans. Dry air is an incredible stress on plants not acclimated to the condition, and should be considered among the challenges if planting specimens from other parts of the country. In urban spaces, pollution is also a variable that withers plants. Choosing bullet-proof plants will bolster your garden design against the element of exhaust.
extremely simple solutions:
WATER
1. use mulch to retain water/reduce evaporation which can be straw, newspaper (shredded or sheets), leaves, or a decorative mulch like pecan shells. Stones are not the best ground cover or mulch to use if water conservation is a priority.
2. use mechanical ways to collect and retain moisture. Ollas are unglazed, narrow-necked terracotta water jugs which can be buried in soil up to the rim for direct watering to plant roots and less frequent watering.
SUN
1. in garden plots, shade cloth will protect plants during the hottest parts of the day with a frame made of something from the garage or back 40.
2. use walls strategically to shade plants from constant exposure, or from the harshest sun of the day. Some kind of shade structure will be necessary for people to best enjoy the garden as well, if no shade from trees is available.
SOIL
1. don't till! mulch. Improve soil texture and activity by shading the soil with organic materials. The very effective technique of sheet mulching is well-developed and documented by permaculturists. This specific design system is the best place to start for the do-it-yourselfer! If you still want to till, remember that there are many more weed seeds waiting to germinate the minute that soil is turned.
2. ammend your soil with organic material. all kinds of things can be used! Leaves or straw, bagged compost or coffee grounds, all add air and texture to the soil. Air and texture helps rebuild activity, and keep the soil from compacting, leaving room for roots.
AIR 1. plant more trees!