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Posted: 8/12/2011 7:17:25 AM EST
Just like it says. Water is very expen$ive her ($50 a month for water & sewer!) so I'll start small with some salad-type veggies.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 7:40:44 AM EST
[#1]
You don't.

Go raised bed with Mel's Mix and a high efficiency irrigation system.
What you'll spend to amend your nasty alkali sandy soil is better spent on a small purpose built garden with drip irrigation.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 7:48:36 AM EST
[#2]
Or you can use fresh sardines and bury them in the soil... As they decay the release nutrients into the sandy soil... Its what I do in here in florida, and my garden produces excellent vegetables and tomatoes...
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 8:07:22 AM EST
[#3]
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 8:09:29 AM EST
[#4]





Quoted:



You don't.





Go raised bed with Mel's Mix and a high efficiency irrigation system.


What you'll spend to amend your nasty alkali sandy soil is better spent on a small purpose built garden with drip irrigation.
Read about what the Israelis did with hydroponics.


Your answer is somewhere between.





 
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 8:52:11 AM EST
[#5]
Quoted:

Quoted:
You don't.

Go raised bed with Mel's Mix and a high efficiency irrigation system.
What you'll spend to amend your nasty alkali sandy soil is better spent on a small purpose built garden with drip irrigation.
Read about what the Israelis did with hydroponics.
Your answer is somewhere between.
 


Hydro is awesome when you have the sun and $$$ for a commercial system.
I don't think the OP is going for a "high value" commercial crop, if you know what I mean.
But due to his climate and conditions less than $100 in drip hardware and a timer will provide many benefits and much savings in water usage.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 12:39:21 PM EST
[#6]
I've spent the last several years turning my silt and sand into nice organic soil. It's all been by hand tilling steer manure and leafs in. Long, hard work, but not expensive, and it works great. Go about 12" down. Good luck.
 
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 2:25:10 PM EST
[#7]
Square Foot Gardening in raised beds combined with drip irrigation is what I use.  I used more compost and less peat moss and vermiculite to save some money on my soil.  You could also build some wicking beds.  Of course, if you are willing to spend a little more money and effort in construction, you could try aquaponics.  Aquaponics is very water efficient.
Link Posted: 8/12/2011 9:13:45 PM EST
[#8]
look into the greening the dessert permaculture books.
Link Posted: 8/13/2011 7:28:07 PM EST
[#9]
Quoted:
Just like it says. Water is very expen$ive her ($50 a month for water & sewer!) so I'll start small with some salad-type veggies.


Talk to the local 4H groups and find out what kids have a gigantic pile of composted rabbit poop that their parents really want to get rid of.
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