This is our first year here in Northeastern Arizona and growing in the ground in the high desert. We grew in raised beds and containers in Northern Nevada so this will be a year of experiments! We've been studying permaculture, regenerative soil and what the Hopi did to grow in this area and putting it all together.

We're doing sunken beds like the Hopi did but we're adding Burms to the downslop side of beds to help slow and capture the sheeting water during monsoons. I'm hoping to have to water less during the hot times. But again it's our first time in this area and the first time of growing in the ground in the high desert. I grew up in the mountains in Southern California but the soil there was better than the soil here for vegetables.

We're adding compost and bio-char because our soil is super alkaline. But I've had so many people up here who have said it's impossible to grow in the ground so now I'm challenged to do it and do it cost effectively to show that it is possible.

Do you have any ideas about what you'll be doing for your area?