Gardening in Southern New Mexico

🌱 Gardening in Southern New Mexico

Tips, Crops & Real-Life Lessons from the High Desert

Welcome to desert gardening, where the sun is intense, the soil is stubborn, and the rewards are oh-so-worth it. Here at MandyTales, I share hands-on tips, seasonal guides, and personal stories from our family garden in southern New Mexico.

Whether you’re new to gardening in the Southwest or looking for ways to improve your harvest, you’ll find practical advice rooted in real experience—plus the occasional trial-and-error lesson (because trust me, there have been plenty!).

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🌵 What You’ll Learn Here:

• When and What to Plant in Southern New Mexico
  Timing is everything in the desert! I’ll share planting calendars, crop suggestions, and zone-specific guides that work in our hot, dry climate.
• Desert Gardening Tips for Success
  Learn how to work with sandy or clay soil, conserve water, mulch for moisture, and protect plants from intense sun and wind.
• My Favorite Heat-Tolerant Crops
  From okra to peppers (hello, Hatch green chile!), I’ll show you what actually thrives here—and what to avoid.
• DIY Garden Projects
  Raised beds, shade structures, compost setups, and trellises—all made with budget and simplicity in mind.
• Preserving the Harvest
  Learn how I turn our homegrown produce into pantry staples through canning, drying, and freezing.

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