Gardening here in the high desert of New Mexico can be a challenge.

First the pH is at and usually over 8.0. Not a good start. lol

Once I ran an ad, in the fall, in the local paper asking for leaves bagged of course. I got several calls from people laughing about anyone crazy enough to want leaves. Obviously they knew nothing about gardening or lowering the pH.

I've started gardening seriously a couple years ago. I have a mentor who has gardened all his life and was one of the first master gardeners in our county a couple decades ago. That first year was quite an experience. I learned a lot from him. I asked lots of questions. We've known him for years. Lucy got her first teaching job with him back in the 80's.

I use strictly drip irrigation with a fertilizer injector. I got a late start this year, so no lettuce. It gets too warm from early June on through the summer.

But that's my beginning story.

Hope all is having a very nice weekend.

Your right, gardening in the desert can be very challenging. You can boost your fertilizer program by using coffee grounds, tea grounds, crushed eggshells, epsom salts, composting, and more.