Quick advice needed for ABQ NM

Good afternoon to my SW gardening friends

I will be travelling from North Carolina to ABQ on Friday and one of my tasks is to build and set up a SFG for my lovely mother in law.

I am somewhat nervous because - well - I know nothing about gardening in NM except it has low humidity, hardly any rain, and the water is expensive. I also hear there is a shorter growing season that I have the luxuary of enjoying.

I will try and limit my questions but any guidance or thoughts would be so greatly appreciated.

1. Sources for vermiculite? I spoke with Jericho ($70 for 6cu ft) and Osuna ($60 for 6 cu ft), and also Southwest Vermiculite - ($12 for 4cuft) - but this was medium grade. Any one use medium grade - cost and convenient size way more attractive - or does anyone else have a source of course that is more affordable. Vermiculite database only loads states up to Florida, the rest are missing for me

2. What can I plant in June in NM that will have a hope of makeing it? Seed raised or seedlings - I can go either way - hints of varieties that do well in the area much appreciated. Are seedlings still available in the stores at the moment or is it too late?

3. Is a rain barrel worth it or is the rainfall so small that it is fruitless? (I know she has gutters)

4. any other suggestions that will help me set it up so it will be more care free for my mother in law when we leave again?

Thank you so much for any feedback

Kindly
kiwirose

I had a thought and just checked it out. Premixed MM "garden time" is available in ABQ, NM. at Lowes.

http://www.lowes.com/SearchCatalogDisplay?Ntt=garden+soil&langId=-1&storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&N=0

Kay

+1 on getting the pre-mixed Garden Time MM. HOWEVER, I would definitely amend it with some good compost to be sure the plants have enough nutrients and get a good start.