How to Ensure Root Growth in Desert Gardening

All desert gardens are made up of potting soil. This soil is cleaned and debris is removed, leaving nothing for the roots to hold on to and spread during growth. Adding debris to the soil enables desert gardens to grow abundant and strong.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• PVC Pipe
• Gravel
• Trowel
• Watering Hose

1. Gather supplies. Before beginning this project, gravel will need to be moved to the gardening bed. If the bed is large, the gravel may be transported with a wheel barrow.

2. Make some holes. With the PVC pipe in hand, drive the pipe into the soil around the base of a plant. Place the watering hose into the PVC pipe and turn the water on all the way. Run the water into the PVC pipe for three to five seconds, then turn the water off.

3. Remove and repeat. Remove the hose from the PVC pipe and the pipe from the soil. Move the pipe around the plant and repeat the process in Step 2 again. For large plants, make several holes around the base of the plant. For smaller plants one or two holes will suffice.

4. Add your debris. Once you have formed all of the holes in the garden, fill the holes with the gravel using the trowel. This gravel will give the plant roots a place to hold on during growth.

Tips & Warnings

• For added beauty, try matching the gravel in your bedding holes to the rest of the landscaping gravel.
• When moving gravel from one place to another, be sure not to strain when lifting.
• Always bend at the knees and not at the back when lifting heavy items.