New Mexico #1 Driest State w/ Fires Burning

I know its been a while since I posted here. The Mountain Garden Project is sort of at a stand still. I'm watering twice a day, just to try and keep a few things alive as New Mexico has been rated the #1 driest State. I have to say, plants are not doing well.

On top of that the no-see-ums are fierce this year. Last year they hardly touched me, this year I'm covered in bites just from watering. I did some study on the little buggers and am now armed with an herbal repellent, but the dry, dry air still makes it hard for humans to work.

We are all praying for the Monsoon season to start and bring rain. The rain will help the fire fighters battling several fires in the State. The rain will bring plants to life again. The rain will send the No-See-Ums back down into the dirt until next year.

2010 Comes To An End

When I think about the harsh land and the amount of work that went into this Mountain Garden Project I am proud. The garden will flourish in this country. It will never be easy and there will be many things that need to be overcome, but views like this one are the biggest reward.

Sun Rise over the Brazos.
As seen from the East Deck at our home.

Soon, winter will again set into the sleepy little town of Los Ojos, New Mexico. And, all gardening will have to come to a stop until Spring.

In October of 2010 the garden area was cleaned up. All tools were brought in. Seeds that needed to be planted, to rest over the winter, was done. And, a prayer of Good Night was said. I look forward to Spring.

A Very Harsh Area

The Rocky Mountains got their name, well, because they're built out of rock. That's the mountain range I live in.

The problems I face are:
1. The land is mostly rock with very little dirt. Dirt will have to be brought in and heavy duty mulching and composting will need to be done.
2. The growing season (because of altitude) is shorter. Things that take a long time to germinate will have to be started indoors.
3. Water is not easily come by. This area is called the High Mountain Desert. Yes, we live by a lake but that doesn't mean the area is moist or lush. The lake is formed by a dam to hold water for lower areas. The lake's water primarily comes from snow melt from higher up in the mountains. We do have a well so 'home' water isn't a problem, but there are water problems I'll talk about in a later post.
4. The local animals (mostly the deer) will eat EVERYTHING eatable in sight. Food's not plentiful so I don't blame them.

Here's what I'm working with:

I would guess that I'm working with about a quarter acre or less
of the total 2.5 acres of land. Nothings been done with this
area. As you can see it's rough and there's debris laying around.
I see a path right here.


On the North side of the area there's a pretty substantial cliff.


Here's the actual garden area (looking North). Yes, I'm holding my
camera straight. That's the grade of the land (and this is a flat spot).
So I'm going to have to work with this situation too.

Now realize I'm not hoping for a 'botanical garden' sort of affair, but my Mama would like some garden tomatoes. Yes, there will be more than tomatoes, but honestly - if I get anything to grow I'm going to feel good. I know, full well, that this year all I'll be doing is working.

Going To Garden in New Mexico

Around the beginning of July, 2010 I decided I wanted to build a garden. I knew full well it was beyond planting season, but I also knew that my work was going to be cut out for me and there was no better time than the present to get started.

The beauty of this area is breathtaking, but the land is harsh. This land was first purchased by my Mother and Father around 1980. It's high (7,800 feet above sea level) in the Northern New Mexico Mountains, almost into Colorado.

My Mother and Father - literally - built this home,
and it's where we now live.


This is the view off that front deck you see in the above picture.

So this is the story of the Mountain Garden Project, the work as it's being done, problems and solutions, and some day I hope to share harvests as well.