![]() They were used to grow useful, drought-tolerant plants, mainly species of Agave, on rainfall only. Those piles built by farmers from long ago were assembled with a specific purpose, construction and function. While all of these technologies have modern applications, I would like to suggest the rock pile mulch system as an urban landscape tool.Ī rock pile mulch system is not just any old mound of rocks. Other technologies included the use of adapted varieties that withstand the heat and dryness of the desert, terraces, gravel-mulched fields and rock pile mulch systems. Most of us know that many of the modern canals carrying water today in the Salt and Gila River valleys follow the same tracks of canals laid out by the people from long ago. The ancient farmers made a living in what now is central Arizona by using amazing technology to hammer out a niche for themselves. They had to be thrifty and they had to the right thing at the right time in order to survive. One thousand years ago all the people had at their fingertips was the rain that fell from the sky, the water they could divert from the free-running rivers, the soil at hand and whatever local materials they could find to eke out a living from the desert environment. Today, we use lots of water, fertilizer and other inputs to grow our garden and landscape plants. The dryness, the heat and the desert soils create a real challenge for those who try to grow food and ornamental plants. Growing healthy plants in our desert environment is not easy. Sometimes our modern ways, effective though they may be, simply don’t match up to the simple practices of those who have gone before. Arizona Gardeners: Rock piles in your garden, taking a hint from Hohokam farmers ![]()
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