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I'd love to get a thread going specifically for gardening around the Las Cruces/Mesilla area. Mainly I am looking for tips to have the most successful vegetable garden. I grow year-round, but am now really getting in gear for my spring & summer crops.
What are you growing? Besides the obvious native plants like chile, corn, and beans - what do you find grows well? What has failed, if anything? I'm able to grow almost everything I want, but haven't had good luck with broccoli and cabbage, even in the cooler weather.
WHERE CAN I FIND GOOD COMPOST/SOIL IN BULK? Nobody seems to know. I know The City offers free compost, but it's full of thorns and other junk and I don't want that. I'm wanting to purchase a pickup truck load of good soil for the summer - who delivers?
How do you water? I set up an entire drip irrigation system and it sucked. Just never worked right. In cooler weather I water every 3-4 days, in hotter weather I water early mornings and late afternoons. I just sprinkle with a watering can or hose.
Where do you get seeds for the ones you can't harvest yourself? Local or online source? I've found a fair selection between the Mountain View Market and Enchanted Gardens, as well as the big hardware stores.
Any recommendations or comments on area nurseries or garden supply businesses much appreciated!
Forget chiles, you can buy them in bulk and cheap during the harvest. Tomatoes, artichokes, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, lettuce, and asparagas all do well. You should have tomatoes from early summer until the first freeze.
I have to disagree with you about the chiles - so easy to grow and they do well. I can get several chile plants going for pennies - why spend 20 bucks on bulk chiles during harvest season? I dry them on my back porch and they last for months.
I went to Enchanted Gardens and spoke to Jackye about finding good soil/compost (she sometimes writes gardening columns in the Sun News). She said "Good luck". She knows her stuff, and there is no source for bulk soil/compost around here. I was hoping to order a truckload and have it delivered. Guess I'm stuck with the bagged soil/compost for now.
I've always had trouble with chiles (wilt), plus I could never grow as many as I can eat, and found it easier to buy them cheaply enough. Glad to hear of your success with them.
I've always had trouble with chiles (wilt), plus I could never grow as many as I can eat, and found it easier to buy them cheaply enough. Glad to hear of your success with them.
I have grown them for many years, and like a variety that is not commonly grown....Joe Parker. My little chile plants that I started from seed are under lights on my kitchen table until I can put them out when I get back from my trip.
Besides, if I buy them in bulk, I have to either roast them myself, or have it done...I found out last year that I just really don't like them done in a big drum roaster. It cooks them too much.
I'm too lazy to roast 40 lbs of chile myself, though I used to do that in Texas every year since the early 1990s.
I just had several yards of compost delivered from Sierra Vista in Anthony/ Union. I don't know if it is great or just good, but I will be using it for all my planting needs. I will let you know what I think as I start planting this week.
I am also starting a little vegetable garden. I just started my seeds indoors and they have already sprouted (just a week and they are beautiful!). I am super excited about growing flowers from seed since this is a first for me. I usually pick up anything that looks pretty, but I have learned from my mistakes.
Whatever you plant, you should not forget a salsa blend that you can plant in a container--your favorite tomatoes, cilantro, and peppers, if you decide to try them for yourself. I am also starting an herb garden because they are so easy and hardy. If you love any particular herb, you will love growing it yourself and saving money at the grocery store.
Good luck with your garden!
Thank you, brendiej. I was aware of occasional compost available at Sierra Vista, but I was told they don't deliver (or ever answer their phone) so you just have to go (with a truck) and see what they have. I just bought 12 bags of compost from Gonzales Nursery in Organ because they had a coupon for buy 5 get 1 free. I haven't used it yet so can't comment on it. The Mtn. View Market used to sell really good quality compost in big bags, but they don't seem to carry it anymore.
I've already got four raised beds going and will be building a fifth one this week.
Sunland Nursery on the old hyw. great place lots of soil, compost, and mulch and they deliver. wholesale only on plants but a call will set you up on all the dirt you need. and u can always build your own.
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