Drought Update Central New Mexico

20 years ago

I'd be interested to learn how the severe drought in central New Mexico is affecting other gardeners. Just one example in my case (20 miles south of and even drier than Albuquerque): I do not have any lawns on my property, but there are large areas normally covered with Bermuda grass and various native weeds which, when mowed, actually look quite lush and lawn like. They are never watered. Normally they have to be mowed several times during winter, and usually beginning the first week in March need weekly mowing. This year, for the first time in the 16 years I've been here, I took the mower out for the first time last Sunday (May 28) and only because I was bored with manually pulling out the Ailanthus seedlings and decided just to mow them down. Otherwise there was no need to mow as the Bermuda is not Bermuding, nor the weeds weeding, not even the bindweed. In fact, in some places, notably the front yard, there is now just bare dirt. As for the planted areas, I now have to do a complete watering (takes 3 hours to do) every other day as well as smaller everyday watering for the vegetables and numerous potted ornamentals. This I do gladly, but village water (with its additives) is nothing to plants like rain: the plants then literally sit up and sparkle. I'm sure others have noticed that same effect.

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Comments (3)

woosmom
20 years ago
Impact of the drought...

We decided on Monday that we needed to do something with our front yard. The combination of heavy winds, heavy clay soil, and no measurable precip since LAST spring, left our yard looking like, well, hell.

We are now having various rock laid in the yard and have planted 4 brooms, 6 russian sage, 2 cistenas, and 2 pokers. I still have five various sized beds for higher water needs, but I suspect the new yard will help us decrease our water use considerably.

I am so ready to move to Portland or Seattle... :)

Cori ~ The Challenged New Mexico Gardener
ironcloudz
20 years ago
yes, this drought in ABQ is just terrible.

yes, the fossilized groundwater which comes from the tap is a poor substitute.

Fortunately I layed soaker hose in my beds this year so I still have a decent crop of onions, zucchini, cukes, sunnies, cow peas (maybe), chard, even feb planted favas have borne a crop.

It really makes me wonder what I could do with 30" of rain a year and a decent water catchment system.

I am looking at a relocation to Vermont... :-)

But am eager to communicate with anyone else insane enuf to attempt summer growing in this parched area.

-stu
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woosmom
20 years ago
The drought, wind, and heat is so extreme in northwestern New Mexico that it has killed my batch of black eyed susans and my Arizona Indian Blankets (or has at least seriously disabled them). These are species that pop out of concrete sidewalks for goodness sakes. Agh.

On a positive note, my rock yard turned out great!

Cori ~ The Challenged New Mexico Gardener