[ScoopLV]

Being near mountain ranges is better than not. My aunt's garden is 100x better than mine -- because she lives right up against the Spring Mountains and gets more shade, more rain, cooler temperatures, and more relief from the afternoon sun.

[gunslinger256]

Originally Posted by macgeek

That area is a bit sketchy, I would invest in some decent security.
as far as gardening you have good sunlight, your not near any mountain ranges.

Jonathan

She is aware of the "sketchiness". Sister #1's house is in a gated community and didn't think it was a safe neighborhood for Sister #2 to buy a place but she chose that house anyway.

[BBMW]

Is she west of the freeway?

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Being near mountain ranges is better than not. My aunt's garden is 100x better than mine -- because she lives right up against the Spring Mountains and gets more shade, more rain, cooler temperatures, and more relief from the afternoon sun.

[ScoopLV]

You'd need climbing gear to go further west....

[SportyandMisty]

Originally Posted by macgeek

she *MUST* **MUST** ***M U S T***
contact The Tomato Lady (Leslie Boyle)
She gives classes on how to grow stuff in the desert, sells seeds / soil / mulch
and invites people into her home / garden

Sweet Tomato Test Garden | Leslie Doyle

I have a garden, have chickens, and once the soil is ready, plant, add water and STAND BACK!!!

Jonathan

I can't rep you -- but if I could, I would.

[ScoopLV]

There is also the UNCE Master Gardener's program. They know everything there is to know about growing things in this area.

[yellowsnow]

They are much better gardeners than I am. I did manage to grow a tumbleweed once.

[Buzz123]

Originally Posted by skugelstadt

I have rain barrels. When it does rain, it rains pretty hard (large rain drops) my rain barrels fill up pretty quickly from roof runoff. If you have tight fitting lids, the water won't evaporate and the lids help keep algae at bay (I have dark blue barrels). During the summer, the water in the barrels get quite warm.

Just wondering...what about mosquitoes? Do you get any?

[skugelstadt]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

Just wondering...what about mosquitoes? Do you get any?

No mosquitos, the lids are very tight fitting. These particular plastic drums are probably 40 gallons each. I just peeked inside and aside from sediment that settled at the bottom, the water is crystal clear. The water has been sitting in these drums for months. I have not done any container vegetable gardening yet, so the water just sits there. I'm not sure if leaching of the plastic is an issue or not, especially since the water got really warm over the summer. Maybe someone can chime in? I can't see the underside of the barrel to determine the type of plastic.

[ScoopLV]

The barrel will have a code with a number on it to tell you what kind of plastic it's made of. You can look it up from there.

One problem is that all plastic photodegrades. But I'm guessing it's thick enough that won't be a problem for years/decades. (Toss a plastic milk jug outside and see how little time it takes to become brittle. Fun science project!)

The main problem is that 40 gallons doesn't amount to squat for irrigation. We go through about 10 gallons each day just reclaiming gray water (showers, and kitchen prep) and that isn't enough in the summer. Plenty for this time of year, though.