Conclusions
- screen soil for bermuda grass - doubles as decompaction for soil - add mulch or coconut coir for organic matter and aeration if you can wait out nitrogen drain. Sand also will work.
- If caliche, consider clay spade or jack hammer
- pH often 8+, consider sulfur soil amendments
- 1 foot of mulch minimum
- targeted drip watering
- use downspout water
- use ipomea batatas for ground cover
- use moringa oleifera and ricinus communis for shade and as pioneers
- use Chinese elm for long term shade and value, maybe mulberry
- stay away from plants that need frost to fruit i.e. apple, peach unless you can identify a microclimate
- ficus carica, punica granatum, citrus, lavandula, grapes, malpighia emarginata, lemon grass, eggplant, ocimum basilicum, and roses are a breeze. Hot mediterranean often works well, but careful of the need for well draining soil.
Research
Jake Mace https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rygts1nOn44
Shamus O Leary https://www.youtube.com/@shamusoleary2139
initial plant research phoenix garden