One of the things those of us who arrange the Corrales Garden Tour each year understand is that gardening in the high desert is not always easy. Corrales and much of Sandoval County have two distinct ecosystems. The Bosque and the sand hills and each have their own issues, but most will agree that it can be difficult to plant a garden in the sand hills. Whether it be for eating from or enjoying the beauty of a garden, the heat, lack of shade and, not to mention, the virtually pure sand offers a challenge to the would-be gardener (but you’ll find it offers many more benefits). Leaving the Bosque challenges for another day, here are some tips for creating a garden in the sandier parts of the high desert.
Benefits of sandy soil
- There are a handful of plants that thrive in sandy ground, herbs, root vegetables and some berries.
- Sandy soil is much easier to work with, it’s easy to dig and is lighter.
- Sand doesn’t compact, it is easier to dig in.
- It’s easily amended with compost.
- The fact that it is well-drained benefits most flowering plants.
- You really don’t have to worry about over-watering or root rot.
- Transplanted plants can establish a little bit faster in sandy soils since it is easier for their roots to get a foothold.
- Sandy soils warm up a little faster in the spring for earlier planting.
The downside to sandy soil
Sandy soils don’t hold water or nutrients very well because sand is composed of silica, usually quartz crystals, and these have relatively no ability to hold onto nutrients and little ability to hold on to water.
Even the plants that do well in sandy soil are going to need water and nutrients in order to thrive. In addition to amending the soil with compost and other soil amendments, it is a good idea to cover your plants with a garden shade cloth. Interestingly, tomatoes, who love the sun, wilt and gasp under the intense high desert sun. Being in the high desert means that you and your garden are closer to the sun. However, it doesn’t make any sense to grow flowers and other plants that are appreciated for their beauty, not their nutrition under a cloth, so choosing hardy sun-loving ornamentals and/or planting them in micro-climates, like close to the house, under a tree or in the north side of your house works to protect while providing the desired esthetics.
It doesn’t have to be hard to grow a vegetable or ornamental garden in the high desert and in fact it can be quite rewarding because the growing season is often longer. A little preparation is all you need to grow nearly anything you want.
Sandy soil amendments
Choose fruit and vegetable plants that need fast drainage. Bramble berries, herbs, and root crops are all good choices. Most importantly, increasing soil organic matter is the key to gardening in sandy soil. You have to make the soil more “sticky,” so water and nutrients don’t just flush through every time it rains.
In Corrales, the Village Mercantile has organic fertilizer and compost and Alameda Greenhouse near Los Ranchos at 9515 1/2 4th St. NW has a bevy of berry and herb starters to get your garden started.
The Corrales Garden Tour 2024 will offer a combination of unique and traditional residential gardens as well as commercial and community properties. Visit Corrales gardens on June 2 and learn about creating a pollinator garden, get water harvesting ideas, and see composting demonstrations. Tickets go on sale on May 1, 2024 at visitcorrales.com.