The Succulent Garden

About

The garden started taking shape when we moved from near downtown to south of Santa Fe in the late 1980s. The landscape was one of native chamisa, yucca, cholla cactus and abundant native grasses growing in deep sandy loam soil.

I had studied agriculture in California. I was attracted to the site by the possibility of growing vegetables and fruits. The area had been homesteaded and farmed with dry land pinto beans in the 1800s. Before that ancient peoples had used an intermittent wash to irrigate crops of corn, beans and squash provisioning the nearby Arroyo Hondo Pueblo.

At first I planted fruit trees and tried many food crops. Late in life, I became a market gardener selling at the Santa Fe Farmers’ Market as well as providing fresh produce to friends and family.

Now, I’m a dedicated rock gardener and a grower of native cactus, penstemons, and eriogonums. I love propagation from seeds and cuttings. The diversity and beauty of plants of all kinds is an endless source of joy and inspiration. I still grow lots of vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers for the grandkids, but it’s the uncommon and challenging-to-grow plants that I find most interesting.

This garden’s estimated size is 1/2 acre.

2026 Open Day Date: Saturday, May 30

Open Day Hours: 10am–12pm, 12pm–2pm, 2pm–4pm