When growing in a desert environment, the first concern is water. The next is heat. Even sun loving plants need a break from the blistering hot new mexico summer. The area we are in also, despite our elevation, still gets too hot.
With this in mind, we plan our layout.
Heirloom tomatoes do best with a sun shade made of plastic, where they can still get lots of light, or window screening works excellently as we discovered. Our tomato beds are dug every year and loosened to a depth of 24".
After planting, from starts, the tomatoes are watered on a drip system. Except for the hottest months, you can deeply water them for 30 mins to an hr(depending on dryout) every other day.
We use non determinate varieties which continue to give tomatoes all season.
Squash, corn, and cantaloupe are planted from seeds. They appear to be decent companion plants. To maximize space, you can put a few herbs in there too. You may have to cut plants back to keep them separated.
These are watered every other day in the prepared bed.
Preparing the vegetable bed:
Double dug (see water saving post)
layer of compost 1" or 2" or so.
Mixed sand, clay and compost. Top layer of compost 1".
Taking the time to do this is definitely worth it.
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