Grow A Desert Oasis

Easy ways to combat drought, extreme temperatures and rock-filled soil.

- Jill Staake

WHEN YOU PICTURE THE AMERICAN SOUTHWEST, you may see dusty, windswept deserts that stretch for miles, with a lone cactus and occasional tumbleweed to break the monotony. That’s certainly one version.

Gardeners in the Southwest see another image— one that’s filled with the beautiful blooms of hardy native plants, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies. They know it takes hard work to get there, but they also know it’s worth it.

“So many people are eager to learn about sustainable gardening,” says Marisa Thompson, urban horticulture specialist at New Mexico State University (NMSU). “All over the region, people attend classes to understand a little more about water usage, drought stress, soil health, beneficial insect populations (including pollinators), species selection and wildlife habitats.”

Here are the most valuable lessons they learn.

HOT AND COLD

The Challenge: In Phoenix, Arizona, summer high temperatures average over 100 degrees. But just 150 miles to the north in Flagstaff, the average winter lows are in the teens. Desert weather is harsh, and many gardeners in the Southwest have to contend with both scorching heat and frigid cold, along with scant rainfall even in the monsoon season that runs mid-June through September.