Carter Merenstein

Thanks! That flood zone map is super helpful. Looks like where we're looking is in an "area of minimal flood hazard."

Thanks for the suggestions! I just ordered Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands from my library, it looks very promising.

Right now we're looking at some land in Elko, Nevada, where we hope to be able to purchase a few acres.

According to the agent, it's not in a floodplain, but on google maps it looks like there's a dry creek bed that runs through. Is it possible to tell how much an area might flood just from looking at satellite pictures?

Hello all,

I have some questions about the possibility of homesteading in the desert. I have this fascination with arid land and it's a real dream of mine to be able to own a little plot and start building something out of nothing. But, I currently know next to nothing about how to start.

For some context, I'm interested in getting a little plot something like this: https://www.landwatch.com/Colorado-Land-for-sale/pid/37001550. I think of it as "scrubland" or "semi-arid" but it's probably fair to call it the desert. My questions are pretty basic:

- How do I find what kinds of crops I could plant? I know that I associate certain kinds of fruit trees, like pomegranate, or certain crops, like millet, with being able to grow in the desert, but how can I figure out what would actually work where I am?

- Should I be concerned that there are no trees where I'm looking? I've read a lot about how they get trees to grow in places like the Sahel in Africa by building holes and burns to manage the water, but I have no practical knowledge.

- What's the best way to look to find the best land? How can I tell if land is good without seeing it.

- What are the major costs I'm not necessarily thinking of?

I would appreciate any help and advice!! I've been reading all I can on this site, but please please send as many useful links/guides as you can.

Thanks so much,
Carter