Playa del Carmen’s Salty Air and Your Garden

As many of you know the air is very salty here in Maya Riviera, due to the fact that our waters are very shallow and the sun’s heat evaporates the water creating a salty fog effect.  You see this everyday as it eats away at anything metal that you own. It is also very hard on your plants and garden too. If you see salt on your windows, then you know there is salt build-up on your plants.

Salt absorbs water so even in the rainy season your plants can be suffering from drought-like conditions, as the salt stops the plants from absorbing the moisture it needs to grow and thrive.  Add to this two more issues: 1. Soil close to the beach contains lots of sand and this stops the roots from having firm ground to grab. 2. Quintana Roo is sitting on limestone and this is a very porous rock, so all the topsoil you put down filtrates down through the limestone exposing the roots to the hot sun.

Here are a few things you can do to help your plants, grass and garden:

1. Water down your plants early morning or late evening (never during the day as this could burn them). Filtered water is best as the water here is also full of minerals.
2. Adding washed gravel, river rock or volcanic rocks protects the soil around the plants and helps to keep it moist. We do not advise using mulch here as it can wash away in the rainy season and clog storm drains; it also makes it harder for your gardener to maintain a neat and clean flower bed.
3. Add fertilizer for the roots; we suggest Miracle Grow for new plants and or one with nitrogen, phosphate and potassium.  If you want to go natural, compost is great too.    

Salt-tolerant plants:

1. Coco palms
2. Citrus trees
3. Bougainvillea
4. Sisus (great climbing vine)
5. Jasmine
6. Oleander
7. Crotos
8. Mother tongue

Advice and quotes are free. greenwaylandscaping@email.com

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