I turn dead high-desert dirt into ground that grows things — and then I plant the trees, run the water to them, and keep them alive.
Caliche, hardpan, pH 8.2, ground people scraped and drove on for thirty years. That’s what I work with, every day, in Colorado City and Hildale.
Trees
This is most of what I do.
I source trees from Star Nursery, Ladybug, and nurseries as far out as Mesquite — and I’ll order specific varieties from California when a job calls for it. I’ve planted everything from a couple of shade trees in a back yard to 45 trees at the Hammon cemetery.
A tree job includes pickup and transport, placement and layout, soil amendment and planting prep, and irrigation set up so the tree actually survives its first summer. Planting a tree in this ground without amending it and watering it right is money thrown away.
Pricing depends on the trees and the site. Call and I’ll come look.
Irrigation
Water is the whole game out here.
- New drip systems for trees and beds
- Irrigation rehab on systems that have quit working
- Sprinkler valve box excavation, rebuild, and replacement
- Timer and valve replacement
- Hydrant relocation and new hydrants
Call for a quote.
Tree and shrub fertilization
All-natural liquid fertilizer for trees and bushes, whole-property or just the ones giving you trouble. Yellow leaves on an aspen usually means iron lockout from high pH, not a lack of fertilizer — I treat for what’s actually wrong.
I also do light pruning, deadheading, and systemic treatment when something’s eating your trees.
Wood chips and mulch
Wood chips are the cheapest real thing you can do for bad soil. They hold water in, keep the ground from baking, and feed the biology that makes nutrients available to your plants. Slow, and it works.
Spreading available with the tractor if you don’t want to.
Compost, fill dirt, and amendments
Compost delivered and spread, fill dirt hauled, vermicompost, and soil amendments matched to what your ground actually needs.
Gardens
Three ways I can help:
Build you a garden. Protected raised beds, built to keep gophers, rabbits, and dogs out of it. Out here an unprotected garden is a feeding station — gophers will take it from underneath before you get a harvest.
Fix the garden you’ve got. Amend the soil, sort out the water, and figure out why it isn’t producing.
Help you keep it going. Ongoing advice and hands-on help through the season for people already gardening.
Free assessment — I’ll come look and tell you what it’d take.
Soil testing and diagnosis
I pull samples and interpret the results so you know what’s actually going on instead of guessing. Most soil problems out here are lockout, not deficiency, and the fix is different.
Property work
- Tree trimming and debris hauling
- Fire break clearing for insurance requirements
- Brush and weed mowing
- Junk removal
- Equipment rental with operator
Firewood
- Pine — $300 per cord
- Cedar — $400 per cord
Split. Free delivery within 10 miles; delivery fee beyond that.
Outside my area
I’m based in Colorado City and most of my work is in Short Creek. I do go out — Hurricane, Washington, as far as Page — with a transportation fee. Call and I’ll tell you what it’d cost.
Ready to talk?
Email edward@reddesertsoil.com or call 480-689-0198.
Tell me where you are, what you’re trying to grow, and roughly how big the area is.