High Desert Permaculture (Zone 8b) - Starting Points

Hey all,

I recently acquired a small property (1/3 acre) in Yucca Valley, CA.  

I have no experience with permaculture or natural farming.  I've just read two books by Fukuoka and one permaculture book—yet I'm still at a bit of a loss about the best place to start with our new place.

My main goals would be to start replacing my family's food sources with what we grow, as well as doing our small part to "revegetate" the desert we are in.

I figured I would describe what I know so far below and see if any kind souls had some wisdom for me.

Climate
The climate is arid, with hot summers and mild winters. Very low rainfall (~8 in/year).

Soil
The soil on the property is sandy/rocky at the surface but looks more clay-like if you dig below the surface.

Existing Plants
The previous owner established about a dozen desert pine trees which are ~15-20 ft. tall now and spaced out from any other plants.  There is a mature mesquite tree right in the center of the property with no other plants around it. There are also a few mature patches of prickly pear cactus with various desert succulents planted for ornamentation. These are all on drip irrigation (including the pine trees) and are being watered 3 days/week.

Ideas on Starting Points
I was thinking it may make sense to start with the pine trees as center points and sow seeds around them with plants that may work well together. I don't know enough yet, but my inclination was to make clay pellets with wild blueberry, garlic, and some sort of ground cover and sow these around the pine trees and see what happens.

The drip irrigation feels like it's out of step with natural farming principles, so I was thinking of dialing back the watering days.  Given the arid climate, I'm not sure I'm competent enough to achieve 100% natural farming, so I am okay with some irrigation—ideally with greywater at some point.

How should I be thinking about this property? Do you have any questions or input that could help me along?

Tim, I applaud your bravery in growing in the desert. I would recommend you immediately put in swales or rock check dams on contour before you do anything else because everything will be built around that structure.

Since you already have mesquite, I would make that your main plant as you can sell several products off it. As for feeding yourself, look into desert camas which can provide a starchy food source underground. Another food source and source of biomass (or tequila) would be yucca. Acacias, desert oak, and eucalyptus are also options for you if you can get them started. For fruit try date palms, goji berries, wolf berries and fig trees.

Congrats on your new property. It sounds like you've got a great start. Please keep doing what you are doing...building your permaculture knowledge and putting it into practice. I recommend getting any fruit or nut trees established first, as many times they may require several years before they begin to produce. Second, research what kind of soil amendments are best for the substrate you have. Composting on-site and adding amendments will help establish whatever you plant with better success as you begin to build a sustainable soil food web in the substrate/ground of your garden and flower beds. Butterfly-friendly plants like milkweed will attract monarchs to the area and are wonderful for beautification. Bee-friendly flowers will bring in the pollinators. Not to worry about overwatering. If those trees are growing well and like it and water from your well isn't an issue, consider continuing to water so they grow fast and big. Beautiful shade trees are desirable and add value to your property.