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Osprey
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Location: Baja Ca. Sur
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Baja Gardens
Baja Gardening 101
The little Mexican house I bought in Baja Sur was one of the last to be sold to gringos on this nice little hill above the beach. It still stands out
as a tiny hovel compared to the mansions all around me. Those rich gringos have all installed special sprinkler systems for their extensive gardens –
I didn’t have the money to make many improvements at my place or do neat, modern things like irrigation systems.
Thank God!
In the last 13 years my rich neighbors have gone through a few gardeners. The town boasts a half dozen gardeners/caretakers who now have probably
upwards of 60 gringo houses to see to. Since I speak a little Spanish and I live here full time I act as a friendly liaison for my gringo neighbors.
It is in this roll I learned a little about gardens, gardening myself.
Most irrigation systems consist of a series of timers hooked up to a water source which runs through feeder tubes to drip heads placed at the base of
a plant or bush or tree. The systems here are specially designed to drive a giant wedge of animus and misunderstanding between the homeowner and his
trusted gardener.
City services are still in primitive stages in some small pueblos like these and there are many power and water outages – if the timers don’t run on
batteries, when the power is off the timers don’t work. When the water goes off (unless the homeowner has a gravity cistern just for the garden that
is tuned to the drip system) no water gets to the plants.
A big part of the gardener’s job is raking the leaves from under the plants/trees – keeping the drip water bowls clear and clean to hold water for the
plant. As he rakes he sometimes moves and uncovers the feeder lines which rot in the sun, break and release more water than their design dictated. The
homeowners give the gardeners huge bags of drip heads and extra coils of tubing for such repair but the gardeners feel more at ease working out the
navigation for space station docking than messing with the black beast in the garden.
When the power/water goes off the gardeners go back to watering by hand, with a long green hose. During the outage the plants suffered and now need
more water so the hoses are left to drain/drip for hours/days until the gardener feels they are again robust and healthy. That’s where I come in: the
snowbird homeowners leave 6 months of water money for the gardener > say $20 dollars per month, the average bill, but now the current bill is $150
dollars ---- the homeowner is sure the gardener left the hose running for days/weeks. Now the gardener has to go argue with the water company AND pay
the bill out of his own pocket or risk a water shut off situation. He usually takes the money from Homeowner One to pay the big bucks for Homeowner
Four. I institute a series of E mails back and forth to put out the fires, hold things together until they can work it out in October when the
snowbird owners return.
In the meantime other forces are at work. This little village sits on a bluff just above the beach. While the village usually gets less than 4 inches
of rainfall per year on average the plants are sustained in two more ways. Each hurricane that comes close enough to give us rain can dump an extra 5
or 6 inches in just a couple of days and we might get 3 or 4 of those kinds of storms in one summer. Fog, mist and humidity off the ocean soaks every
green, living thing on most mornings for several months. A great irony exists: in some years my neighbor’s trees and plants would flourish into a
veritable jungle if left completely to the vagaries of the weather – there are empty lots here that unattended become and remain miniature desert
oasis.
I try to keep all these things in mind when I help a gringo neighbor deal with a new gardener – I don’t let them shake hands until we talk through the
work, the systems, the weather, fertilizer, water, power, pests. I remind the homeowner that most Mexican gardeners down here lack the resources of
those in the U.S.; few tools, extra funds for emergencies – they all do the best they can erecting and repairing braces, support posts, lattices, etc.
while dispatching tuzas, gophers, rattlers, ants, grubs and whiteflies.
What stirred me to dash this little piece off was what happened yesterday. I recommended my gardener to several neighbors and happily he is now
employed by them. One, a very nice snowbird, tried to talk to my gardener pal on the phone with little success. One quick E mail got us back on track
(a little). I just told my gardener that homeowner Bill will be down for a few days in July AND he forget to tell him his sprinkler timers were tiny
computers operated by batteries the gardener might be able to find at Ace Hardware.
Let’s hear some stories about your Baja gardens/gardeners.
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DianaT
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We are still in the trial and error stage of our garden---but there will be NO irrigation type system---don't need those problems.
We are still in the trial and error stage of what grows in salt and wind. Our front yard is the easiest as we let it go back to its natural dune
state.
Back yard is sand with some planting areas---a little cactus, sunflowers, geraniums, nasturtiums etc., and some food plants, if they survive. We have
bought some dirt which is difficult to find, and like the locals, we use the dirt from around the mesquite trees. It is fun to see what will and what
won't grow. But, we are keeping it simple. We also have several potted plants we move around.
We just hire someone to water a few times a week while we are gone---this time we have one of the bike team members watering to earn a brand new
helmet.
Since our water from the city can be off for days, we have some barrels of water around and/ or the person watering can use some of our tinaco water.
We don't worry about being turned off if we are not there to pay. The water company knows us and assures us that they will not turn off the water as
they know we will pay when we get back---our water bill is a flat rate but they won't take money early.
We would hate to see some one start with things like fancy expansive gardens, or even worse, grass along with irrigation systems etc. Right now our
city water comes through a 1/2 pipe---they say they are going to replace it with a 3 in pipe soon. 
We just like to keep it simple---works best for us
Diane
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David K
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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I would be happy to offer advice or info. on drip irrigation set ups for Baja homes...
Some key points are well expressed in Osprey's post:
Because of unrereliable power, a good quality battery powered controller is best (2 9v batteries that last over a year).
Because of low or very low water pressure, a valve that requires little or no pressure to operate. Drip emitters or products that can run at very low
pressure must be used.
Because of gardeners with rakes, avoid small drip tubes off or to emitters which will get disturbed.
Stay tuned!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I would be happy to offer advice or info. on drip irrigation set ups for Baja homes...
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But that takes away a potential watering job away from a local---
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David K
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Not all Baja homes have 'locals' or locals that want the job...
But, if they do then please spend your dollars on them!
Also, consider if the plants were automatically watered, then that 'no skill required' hand watering time could be better used by your gardener to
trim, rake, install new landscaping, etc. where they can use gardening talent!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
Not all Baja homes have 'locals' or locals that want the job...
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Really? Before we hired one members of the bike team, we hired one of Juan's sisters, (who we will hire again) ---she wants the extra money to help
with her son's education.
I just can't imagine that there is anywhere in Baja where there is not someone needing a little extra money and would be more than happy to water.
But then again, your experience of living in Baja must tell you something different.
Diane
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David K
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All the homes south of San Felipe where I travel to more than Asuncion, are not located near any towns... So yes, really...
[Edited on 6-8-2008 by David K]
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Diver
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Yada, yada, yada ...... drip, drip, drip ..... 
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Roberto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
All the homes south of San Felipe where I travel to more than Asuncion, are not located near any towns... So yes, really...
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San Felipe -- that well known area devoid of all development and locals.
You GOTTA be kidding.
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Pescador
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Location: Baja California Sur
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Diane may be a little altruistic when she states that there is always someone who wants a gardening and watering job. In our small village we had an
agreement with an older fellow who is deaf as a board and had suffered a stroke some years ago. Since he was watering about 5 other places adjacent
to our place we thought this would be a perfect match for us for the time we were back in the states. And like Osprey, our next door neighbor was
kind of the unofficial supervisor and the gardner actually lived in a small trailer on his property. All went well until the gardner talked to his
daughter in Ensenada and decided it was time for a little trip up the peninsula (hitchhiking). Since the unofficial supervisor was in the states that
week doing cataract surgery, everything pretty much died in the process.
So, I contacted David K., who is the official expert on drip irrigation and decided that I would install a system that would take care of things
while I was out of the country. David had some great insight into how I might adapt my situation to the available pressure and supply. My first set
up worked wonderful until the local roaming dogs felt like my iceplant surrounding a palm tree made a wonderful and cool nightime sleeping area and
there must be something in the plastic tubing and plastic sprayer nozzles that the dogs loved to chew on. I even coated them with hot sauce and since
they were Mexican dogs, they loved them even better with the hot sauce. Next, I place the heads and tubing in PVC and that seems to be a workable
solution as the dogs do not like the taste of PVC.
Now my friend wanting to be an element of social change and economic development thought my method was stupid and irresponsible so he felt like
stimulating the local economy with $40 a month was the answer. In 4 years he has gone through 6 different people who promise to water every other day
when the water is available and clean up leaves, dead fruit, and all that kind of thing. What he keeps getting is people who do the job while he is
there, but things kind of fall apart when he is gone, and then a big rush to really soak things and bring them back to life just before he comes down.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know it gives me something to focus on and challenges me to constantly adapt to everchanging conditions.
So if it does nothing else but keep my mind sharp during retirement then it has at least provided something.
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Pescador
Diane may be a little altruistic when she states that there is always someone who wants a gardening and watering job. In our small village we had an
agreement with an older fellow who is deaf as a board and had suffered a stroke some years ago. Since he was watering about 5 other places adjacent
to our place we thought this would be a perfect match for us for the time we were back in the states. And like Osprey, our next door neighbor was
kind of the unofficial supervisor and the gardner actually lived in a small trailer on his property. All went well until the gardner talked to his
daughter in Ensenada and decided it was time for a little trip up the peninsula (hitchhiking). Since the unofficial supervisor was in the states that
week doing cataract surgery, everything pretty much died in the process.
So, I contacted David K., who is the official expert on drip irrigation and decided that I would install a system that would take care of things
while I was out of the country. David had some great insight into how I might adapt my situation to the available pressure and supply. My first set
up worked wonderful until the local roaming dogs felt like my iceplant surrounding a palm tree made a wonderful and cool nightime sleeping area and
there must be something in the plastic tubing and plastic sprayer nozzles that the dogs loved to chew on. I even coated them with hot sauce and since
they were Mexican dogs, they loved them even better with the hot sauce. Next, I place the heads and tubing in PVC and that seems to be a workable
solution as the dogs do not like the taste of PVC.
Now my friend wanting to be an element of social change and economic development thought my method was stupid and irresponsible so he felt like
stimulating the local economy with $40 a month was the answer. In 4 years he has gone through 6 different people who promise to water every other day
when the water is available and clean up leaves, dead fruit, and all that kind of thing. What he keeps getting is people who do the job while he is
there, but things kind of fall apart when he is gone, and then a big rush to really soak things and bring them back to life just before he comes down.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know it gives me something to focus on and challenges me to constantly adapt to everchanging conditions.
So if it does nothing else but keep my mind sharp during retirement then it has at least provided something. |
Well, one answer is to keep it all real simple---it is why in front we have let it go back to natural dunes so mother nature takes care of it.
Certainly not the first time someone has called me altruistic, and I plead guilty!
I have heard the stories of people not watering until right before someone comes back---never a sure thing. And, we are not gone for very
long---just a few weeks at a time.
Now this next comment can be classified under sexist and may be flamed, but I will say it anyway.
I personally think for something like this that hiring a motivated mother may be more reliable. They want things for their children and are very
motivated. JMHO
It will be interesting this time to see how the 13 year old bike team member did---he really wants a new helmet.
Love the story about the dogs loving the hot sauce---smart dogs.
Diane
On edit---I guess we are really lucky in one area. We pay a flat 90 pesos a month for water---obviously, it is much higher in other places
[Edited on 6-8-2008 by jdtrotter]
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David K
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Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
All the homes south of San Felipe where I travel to more than Asuncion, are not located near any towns... So yes, really...
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San Felipe -- that well known area devoid of all development and locals.
You GOTTA be kidding. |
Again, a language problem... and I don't speak Italian! NOTE what I wrote: "All the homes south of San Felipe where I travel to..." You know I don't
camp or stay in cities, Roberto.
I am talking 20 + miles south of San Felipe, like Bahia Santa Maria, Nuevo Mazatlan, etc. Where the coast is almost all vacation homes.... and except
for El Vergel, not near any village that has kids looking to earn bike money. I don't think a kid or anyone will go 40 miles to water some palms or
salt cedars twice a week (round trip from San Felipe).
PESCADOR: That was an interesting post... I had forgotten that I gave you some advice on a system. Drip lines (polythylene) are not animal proof,
unfortunately. If they are coverd by mulch or soil (out of sight), then there is a better chance the dogs won't notice it and have fun with it. Coyote
damage has been reported by a customer of mine in the desert and the solution was to provide a big pan of water with an emitter to keep it full! Now
the coyotes did not need to chew the hose for water... it was easier to just give it to them!
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DianaT
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| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I don't think a kid or anyone will go 40 miles to water some palms or salt cedars twice a week (round trip from San Felipe).
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Someone these days would actually plant salt cedars---the monsters of the desert and any drainage basins???
Gees--can't believe it.
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David K
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Location: San Diego County
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| Quote: | Originally posted by jdtrotter
| Quote: | Originally posted by David K
I don't think a kid or anyone will go 40 miles to water some palms or salt cedars twice a week (round trip from San Felipe).
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Someone these days would actually plant salt cedars---the monsters of the desert and any drainage basins???
Gees--can't believe it. |
Believe it, as they are the fastest growing shade tree and it loves salty water... The largest trees in these photos were planted about 1970, from
cuttings taken from the huge tree growing 1/2 mile up Arroyo Agua de Chale.
Here are those trees in 1973:
and in 1977:
Baja has MANY different regions, plants and people... this is about 25 miles south of San Felipe, next to a big, beautiful beach...
You can see a few more salt cedars to the south of Nuevo Mazatlan.
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DianaT
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OMG, David
Don't need multiple pictures to know that there are salt cedars in Baja---they are also in Arizonia, California and elsewhere. They are one of the
worst plants introduced into these areas.
Yes, they are fast growing, tolerate salt, and suck any and all available water, and spread quickly right into drainage basins---there is a lot of
money being spent in the southwest to get rid of these giant water sucking weeds----why do you think Los Pinos is removing them.
Nevermind, you are in a business related to plants and if you think salt cedars are just fine shade trees to plant in the desert, well, what can I
say.
I guess if they provide you shade while camping, that is what is important.
Diane
[Edited on 6-8-2008 by jdtrotter]
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David K
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"They are one of the worst plants introduced into these areas"
Can you tell me more about this? Since that tree has been there long before and Mexicans or Gringos were developing the area... ie. this is a native
plant... at least that variety of tamarisk in that location. There are other varieties in other areas that have caused problems.
"Nevermind, you are in a business related to plants and if you think salt cedars are just fine shade trees to plant in the desert, well, what can I
say"
I was 12 when the owner of Nuevo Mazatlan planted the tree cuttings, and had nothing to do with that choice! LOL
"I guess if they provide you shade while camping, that is what is important."
Of course, why else would he (Luis Castellanos Moreno) have worked so hard at growing that forest in the desert... It is now a beautiful oasis of
shade and the trees ward off insects with their salty needles and minimize dust during wind events.
See www.vivabaja.com/nm for more on Nuevo Mazatlan.
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DianaT
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Yes David,
You have all the information you need.
Diane
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Barry A.
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Diane------
I think you are out on a limb on this one (besides seeming hyper-sensitive to ANYTHING David says) --------there are numerous types of Tamerisk, I believe, and these particular type (as ID'ied from David's Photos)
are NOT the type invading the river and stream channels throughout the southwest, I don't believe. And yes, they are STILL being planted for wind
breaks in the southwest, despite their voracious appetite for water----in the Borrego Valley, for one, tho they do cause controversary as the water
table in Borrego Springs is continueing to drop. They do have some very unique characteristics that make them desirable under certain circumstances,
as David laid out.
I certainly agree with you that the river tamerisk are a huge pain, and a severe problem, but they are NOT the tree-type of tamerisk (Salt Cedar), and
were introduced from abroad.
My frame of reference is my job irradicating the river tamerisks within certain National Parks and Monuments way back when I was doing that sort of
thing (1970's) as a Park Ranger/River Use Manager------but we were not very successful.
Please feel free to correct me if you have other information.
Barry
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fulano
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Tamarisks are an invasive non-native species originally from Eurasia. There is an active program to eradicate them in San Diego County. It is illegal
to plant them here. They have a nasty habit of sucking up the salt deep in the soil and exuding it from their leaves, turning the topsoil salty and
killing native species.
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Barry A.
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| Quote: | Originally posted by fulano
Tamarisks are an invasive non-native species originally from Eurasia. There is an active program to eradicate them in San Diego County. It is illegal
to plant them here. They have a nasty habit of sucking up the salt deep in the soil and exuding it from their leaves, turning the topsoil salty and
killing native species. |
------Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-----are you saying that all 50 to 60 species are outlawed in San Diego County???? Interesting, as I KNOW that the tree-type
are still being planted in a few places. Go figure!!!
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