An important coping skill I’ve been neglecting is my affinity for southwestern archaeology. Having hoofed the wilds of the western US of A for decades, it’s always amazed me how communities of thousands could coax enough crops from the earth with such minimal precipitation. Yet they did, and very successfully.

This year, I’m finally trying out an Anasazi (ancestral puebloan) dry climate farming technique called “grid gardening.” Mineral materials include crushed pumice and charcoal. There is also uncomposted rabbit poop mixed into the soil.

Corn is the first crop planted. When there are leaves broad enough on the corn stalks, beans and squash are planted, two crops that don’t do their best in constant, direct southwestern US of A summer sunlight. All indigenous species of crops are chosen.

If this works, I shouldn’t need to water the plot much if at all.

Updates to follow . . .