Desert Garden Irrigation

Desert gardening doesn’t mean “no water.” Proper desert gardening means using water wisely.

Irrigation is necessary in a desert garden – especially the first few years in which your plants are establishing their root systems.

Even after establishing your garden, water is probably going to be necessary in the “oasis” and “transitional” zones, especially in the dry Southwest and certain arid mountainous areas (Colorado, Utah and Nevada).

Wise gardeners also plan for some irrigation in the “arid” zone too. That’s because you may want to install new plants later, and you will need some type of irrigation for them to establish themselves. Certain areas of the country may even experience several years of drought (as is the case in the Southwest now), and you will need at least some additional water for the arid portion of your garden.

There are several types of irrigation systems you can use. First, I would seriously caution against the use of any sprinkler system. They are the most inefficient and cause the greatest amount of evaporation and runoff.

I personally use three types of irrigation in my desert garden: automatic, manual and soaker hoses moved around as my garden requires.

In desert gardening, irrigation is the foundation around which all your plantings are designed.

In most of my “oasis” area, I have installed an automatic “drip irrigation” system. This type of system is easy to install and is readily available at many nurseries. Generally, it consists of pliable plastic tubing, with smaller “feeder” hoses radiating from it directly to the plants that require regular watering. You can fit this with a simple timer (also available at nurseries or hardware stores) to regulate how often and how long you want to water.

I use soaker hoses in the transitional zone (and in certain “oasis” areas like my vegetable garden) to water the plants that do not need watering as often. Using a soaker hose in my vegetable garden allows the water to go directly to the roots and prevents cold water from hitting ripening fruit. Cold water on ripening vegetables like tomatoes can cause the fruit to crack.

The “arid” portions of my garden, I either water by hand, or use a hose.

If you don’t like the idea of moving hoses around or watering by hand, you can certainly install a drip irrigation system in your entire garden. However, make sure that you have a separate valve for each zone.

Apply water as efficiently as possible. If you do have lawn or turf, you can use a sprinkler system on it. But make sure that it doesn’t overrun the time and amount needed to water the grass. In the Southwest, where water is precious, I get sick every time I go by a lawn being sprinkler-irrigated, and I see gallons of wasted water running out into the street.

Remember that efficient watering systems apply water where it is needed, not where it will be wasted. Wasting the water benefits weeds and sewer systems, not plants.

Next: How mulch can save water, enhance the growth of your plants, and make your garden more attractive.