Gardening Tip:
Make the Most of the Soil
Desert soil tends to be somewhat alkaline – which is perfect for some plants, but nearly poison to others. If you can’t deny yourself acid-loving plants such as roses, azaleas and rhododendrons, try planting them in containers or raised beds.
Raised beds and containers are a good solution for gardeners faced with hardpan. This rock-hard layer of topsoil, which occurs naturally in drought-prone areas, can’t be penetrated by roots or water. Sometimes, you can eliminate hardpan by turning the soil under and mixing in plenty of humus, but otherwise, it’s best to plant in containers of rich, loose commercial potting soil.