ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.(KRQE) — Spring is blooming in Albuquerque, and it may just be time to plant a few things. For Community Garden Week, we’re taking a look at some of the resources offered for amateur and seasoned gardeners alike here in the Duke City.
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Over at the Albuquerque Area Extension Office, there’s a master gardener program that isn’t just for the pros. It started all the way back in the 60s, and it remains popular enough today that classes fill up within hours of registration’s start. Bernalillo County Horticulturist Joseph Delgado is at the center of the program – he says he sees people from all walks of life.
“A common factor is a general, all-love for gardening,” said Delgado. “Some people… just kind of want to start from somewhere, so they learn the basics. Some people are experienced in farming and have ranches or farms in the North Valley.”
The program partners with New Mexico State University and the City of Albuquerque to teach local residents anything from basic gardening or landscaping tips to sustainability practices. One major component of the program is teaching its participants, specifically, how to garden in New Mexico. The dryness of our desert can be a major adjustment for anyone coming out of state, and on top of that, the PH levels of our soil are typically pretty alkaline.
“A lot of people want to grow what they had back home, rather it be California or Missouri,” said Delgado. “We get a lot of people who want to grow their family heirlooms, their family rose bush, or their family flowers in their backyard here. They found there’s some struggles.”
Commonly-sought plants like berries may not flourish here, but there are a plethora of other native plants that thrive in New Mexican soil. Delgado says the program often sees people looking to grow desert willows, Apache plumes, Mexico olives, Chinese pistache, and piñon pines — all of which call New Mexico home. He recommended a local resource by Bernalillo County for anyone wondering what to plant in the Land of Enchantment.
Another important factor to keep in mind when planting in Albuquerque is knowing your NPK ratio – that’s nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
“These are the three macronutrients that keep plants alive and thriving. If a fertilizer has an N-P-K ratio of 2-2-4, then it contains 2% nitrates, 2% phosphates, and 4% potash,” explained Delgado. “Conducting a soil test can also help identify what the plants’ health status is. If the soil test comes back with low amounts of, say, phosphorus, the grower can make adjustments to get to the desired level. Having this knowledge can be extremely helpful if your plants look like they are dying. They may just be lacking an important nutrient, and you may be able to save them.”
All in all, Delgado says the program hopes to help our community enhance their knowledge surrounding gardening. It also aims to give back to locals in need by donating 100% of its produce to Roadrunner Food Bank. You can find out more on the master gardener program on their website or on the Albuquerque Area Extension webpage.
Registration for this program doesn’t re-open until the first week of October – if you’re looking to get involved in the meantime, consider checking out Rio Grande Farm or Project Feed the Hood.
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