A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum ANY HIGH DESERT VEGGIE GARDENERS OUT THERE?

I'd certainly like to read what you've had to say about gardening in high deserts. I'm at 6,800 feet in N.M. Mountains. If there's a place that you can direct me to (in forums or otherwise) please do! I'll be building a raised bed this weekend and am ready, willing and able to LEARN!

Thank You

I can't speak from any personal experience, but we will certainly help you if we can. I'm not exactly sure how your zone will be accurate in figuring planting times, etc., but it would be helpful...altitude kind of trumps other factors, and so does rainfall, but we can help you figure it out...

Hi Tina from another Tina (jonni is my daughter's name). I'm also considered high desert in my inland California home. But I'm sure we have much different climates even then. I am a zone 9 here. I am about a third of your altitude, I think.
Welcome to TGH. You will get a lot of help around here from some very knowing people. Are you mostly interested in veggies? I am a flower/shrub/tree grower mostly. Have you adequate water in your desert? A raised bed is a good thing in some areas.

Tina, you're right, raised beds are good in desert situations, because of rocky soil and highly alkaline soil in some areas...

can you give us an idea of your high's and lows? has the temp range leveled off yet in your area?

Hello,I live in a valley,but the temps here get to 100+ in the summer.Some years,the lakes around my area have so little water that it gets desert-like.I built raised beds this year;I dug some soil out and ended up with raised beds.I don't have to water as often;every 3 days is good for me.By the way,welcome!