One of three drought research gardens in Colorado, this Mesa county garden was first built and planted in the spring of 2003. Nineteen flowers and Kentucky bluegrass sod were evaluated in 2003. The other two drought research gardens are located at the Plant Environmental Research Center at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and at Welby Gardens in Welby Colorado.

Due to the high salt level in the native soil, a raised bed with a gravel barrier was built. A planting mix consisting of Mesa Magic and top soil was applied over a layer of landscape fabric.

Concrete work was by Eagle Construction, Grand Junction Colorado. The fabric, gravel and planting mix was applied by Tri River Area Master Gardeners. Planting was done by Tri River Area Master Gardeners. Overall cost of the project was ~$15,000. Donations from the commercial 'Green Industry' made this project possible.

Contributors:

Welby Gardens, Welby Colorado

Bookcliff Gardens, Grand Junction

Grand Junction Pipe and Supply, Grand Junction

Mesa County Waste Management - Composting Facility, Grand Junction

High Country Sod, Grand Junction

High Country Lawn Care, Grand Junction

Beeyard Gardens of Crawford

Southwest Soils of Olathe

Photos by Albert LaSalle & Dr. Curtis Swift

Building the Gardens

Unloading the plants - Plants provided by Welby Gardens

Sod provided by High Country Sod

Laying out the Irrigation System

Planting and Fertilizing

Collecting Data - Scott and David at Work