For years I’ve been subscribing to various Yahoo groups and I run across so much great info, but my brain cannot remember everything.  So I decided to start the High Desert Food resource forum to organize information.
I’m still working on setting everything up, but already posted on a number of topics.  I’ve been doing so much research on amendments and fertilizers, biologicals, brix, Reams, biodynamics, etc. and I posted in the “Gardening Resources” forum:
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/gardening-resources/
Grow bags:
I lost many plants in the last couple of months because it was so hot and the black plastic pots heat up the soil.  I’ve tried various grow bags (Root Pouches) and I’m sold on grow bags.  I don’t think I need expensive “Smart Pots”, just about any fabric pot is better than rigid black plastic.  However, I have to PAY for grow bags (we have a gazillion plastic pots) and I am looking for the best deal on quality grow bags:
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/reviews-of-gardening-products/best-prices-for-grow-bags-and-smart-pots/
Since we’re off the grid, we don’t want to use pumps and instead utilize GRAVITY for 1/2″ poly and drip tape watering.

It’s a challenge and it took us 5 years to figure out how to water without having to run pumps and without spending a fortune.  You might think that it can’t be that hard, but you probably don’t know that most timers seriously reduce the water pressure and that most drip tape requires more pressure than you get from gravity.  It’s been an expensive learning curve, but we are finally getting there. Here’s my post on timers:
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/reviews-of-gardening-products/quest-for-timer-that-does-not-reduce-water-pressure/
On a slow day I’ll have to put together a page on gravity watering.  After all, even with regular power in the house, many people don’t have power and water in their gardens.
Soil tests for our HIGH pH soil:
I posted the native soil test from International Ag Labs (Jon Frank) and the recommendations.
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/soil-tests-fertilizers-and-amendments/2015-ial-soil-test-results-for-our-new-mini-orchard/
We need lots of help with making the most of our alkaline desert dirt.
All things food include local organic and GMO free resources and it’s great that the Kingman supermarkets are carrying a lot more organics.  However, Vegas is still the best place to shop and of course we have our “buying club” for Azure Standard and Frontier Natural Foods.
I continue to be amazed by so many people using Roundup and supporting GMOs.
They say that it’s been proven to be safe and that there are no scientific studies indicating any negative effects.  That’s of course ridiculous and I’m starting to post info and links to studies that will hopefully change some minds:
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/gmos-roundup-and-other-toxins/
There’s the Buy / Sell / Trade forum:
Need catnip, chichiquelite huckleberries or sweet annie?   I have a lifetime supply of volunteers coming up.
http://highdesertfood.org/index.php/forum/buy-sell-trade/
Check it out!