On-Farm Workshop to Show Water-Saving Ideas for Espanola Valley Growers, Gardeners

Date:  July 24, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- Water-saving techniques for growing vegetables with limited irrigation will be on display at an on-farm workshop August 12 in Lyden.

"Making the most of water is a critical issue for both farmers and homeowners in the Espanola Valley," said George Dickerson, horticulture specialist with New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service.

"Vegetable crops we've established on the Gene Lopez Farm have only been watered once this year. Experimental techniques we've used should cut water use 50 to 60 percent or more."

In research plots, Dickerson saved water with a special water-absorbing gel, "green" plant compost from the City of Albuquerque and a woven black plastic mulch. Each plot used a different combination of treatments. Tomato and chile transplants were inserted through the mulch and watered once. Cooperators at eight sites across the state, including Lyden, assisted with the trials.

"Besides saving water with these techniques, you don't have to weed," Dickerson said. "That means a savings in labor costs, particularly since the plastic mulch will last for years as it contains an ultraviolet light inhibitor."

Growers and gardeners are welcome at the free workshop. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Lopez Farm near Lyden south of Velarde. The farm is one-half mile northwest of the Espanola-Taos highway on Highway 582. Turn south just across the Rio Grande.

Along with the vegetable techniques, presenters will cover composting, agronomic drought management and recycling agricultural plastics. For more information, contact Dickerson at (505) 275-2576 or Tony Valdez, Rio Arriba County Extension Agent, at (505) 753-3405.

If you are an individual with a disability who is in need of an auxiliary aid or service to participate in this meeting, please call the contact person for the event two weeks in advance.