Prickly Pear Planting Techniques in West Texas

Exploring innovative methods of using prickly pear as a pioneer plant to manage risks, retain water, and facilitate tree planting in arid regions like West Texas. The chapter discusses the use of cactus pads and mucilage gel to enhance water retention in the soil, along with labor-intensive propagation techniques and experimenting with cardboard cactus tacos for moisture absorption. Additionally, the cultivation of Goji plants in the Utah desert and their resilience in harsh conditions is highlighted, tracing back to Chinese immigrants and their health benefits.