Drought

With all the new record high temperatures, I thought another look at native desert plants would be appreciated. These plants, which have evolved over centuries have withstood numerous droughts...yet still prosper, reproduce and survive in this hot, dry clime. The smart desert gardener makes use of these plants, many of which are indispensable to desert wildlife and which really need no additional irrigation. Native plants can be culled and placed carefully, following nature's pattern to create beautiful natural looking gardens, enhanced by other low water use plants, trees and shrubs. If you like to grow your own food, a compact series of raised beds, irrigated by a drip system will supply all your needs and still conserve water.

There is little doubt that we are in a drought cycle...especially if you have become alarmed by media fascination with the subject. On TV, you will see clever new graphics, in living color, which accompany daily forecasts. One day, I noticed the new maroon category for extreme heat...filled in with shimmering heat waves and a picture of a thermometer...the mercury breaking through the top! Everything east of the Imperial County line was maroon, west of it, just red. My, my...it makes one wonder, doesn't it? I have seen graphics of brown, dead corn, cracked mud and suffering livestock. That, along with black tornado clouds, golf sized hail, high wind, flooding rains or hurricane eyes certainly captures your attention...whether these warnings prove to be true or not!

Our desert has experienced drought before. It will experience drought again. In the meantime, as gardeners, smart use of native plants are essential to creating and maintaining a garden in this dry land.