Hey guys, I just moved to a new house in northern Mexico, where it's mostly dry and hot throughout the year. I'm eager to plant some hardy herbs and spices, like rosemary and thyme, in the two strips of soil in front of my house. The first strip has slightly workable soil with some organic matter, and after watering, I've noticed some native plants starting to grow. However, the second strip is tough as nails—it's super compacted and almost lifeless. It takes hours for water to sink in after I dig a hole and fill it with water, and it just feels really dense and sticky. A few native plants sprouted occasionally, but overall, it's pretty barren even after consistent watering. I even had a lemon tree there before, but it had to go because it was thorny and in the way.
I know I can't expect miracles, but are there any plants that could help enrich the soil and break up that heavy clay? I'll make sure to water them adequately and rough up the surface for better water absorption. I'm looking for suggestions for both strips since they have different conditions. I heard cowpea beans might do the trick, but I haven't tried them before. Any tips for navigating this desert soil would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
1 Answer
Cowpeas are perfect for your situation—they fix nitrogen and their roots help break up compacted soil! Once you get things loosened up, consider planting drought-resistant perennials like rosemary, agave, or yucca. They thrive in strong sun and will gradually improve soil quality with their leaf litter and root growth.
Awesome, I think I'll start with rosemary since it’s one of my favorites! I've heard mixed things about yucca though—some farmers say it hogs water, but a friend has it growing just fine. Maybe it just depends on how much you water in general. Agave is a no-go for me; those spikes are too dangerous!