Hi everyone,
I'm also relatively new to permaculture, large projects in particular, although I have been gardening in several different climates for some time and grew up in an agrarian family.
My question is focused on the what desert plants I have to choose from that can both survive, and provide a suitable understory while my bigger fruiting trees and shrubs get a good start. The property I am working now is in Southeastern New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert.
On the site now, I have well water and a legacy of very old pioneer mesquite bushes that have been putting down deep roots and forming islands of sandy topsoil at their feet for almost a century.
Since we are in our 3rd year of severe drought, I am trying to plan very carefully for the one or two large rain events we might get, but I am becoming more aware of how quickly the well water increases salinity in the soils I use it on.
With the spring comes incessant 25-35 mph winds 4-5 days a week, which, thanks to the drought, are full of topsoil and up for grabs if I can get enough enough pioneers and shrubs to slow the breeze and catch them.
So, that's what I'm looking for guidance and resources about: Tough drought tolerant understory and pioneer shrubs or small trees that can build my soils and won't let us all get blown away like the end of A Hundred Years of Solitude.
Any Help?...please?
E
