How to Grow Vegetables in Dry Weather

There are many ways in which the home gardener can not only save water, but still grow healthy vegetables when there are water restrictions in place. There are several different ways to irrigate that use less water than the usual spray irrigation.

Drip Irrigation

If the vegetable garden is big enough to warrant the cost of installing drip irrigation this is an excellent way to save water while still giving vegetables the water they need for optimum growth. There will be no wasteful run-off, nor will water evaporate to the same extent as with spray irrigation. Water from spray irrigation cannot be managed as carefully – it will overlap onto the verge where the weeds are growing. Drip irrigation not only uses much less water, but wastes less. It delivers water right to the roots of each plant where it is needed.

Other Ways of Watering Plants

A soaker hose can be used rather than a spray because a percentage of water spray will evaporate in the air. A soaker hose has holes along its length and works on low pressure. It can be laid out right next to plants that need watering.

Instead of watering with a hose a small amount of water can be applied to each plant by the cup if the vegetable garden is small. Dole out just one cup of water per plant, pouring it carefully around the roots. Make sure that the water penetrates right at the base of the plant and does not simply run off the soil.

The same can be done with a watering can without the spray nozzle. this will keep all the water exactly where it is needed most. But be careful that soil is not washed away from the roots.

Water only in the evening so that the plant has a good 12 hours to suck up the moisture before the sun starts to evaporate it.

Make the Most of the Available Water

Mulch heavily during dry times – but make sure that any water used can actually penetrate the mulch.

Don’t use mounds when planting vines. Many planting instructions advocate the use of mounds, but this raises the level of the soil above the surrounding garden. It will dry out much more quickly. Instead, plant the vines or seeds either below ground level as you would any other seed, or better still, make a shallow dish shape in the soil to plant them in. Water will collect there and remain for longer.

Plant seeds a little more deeply than usual so that the roots will be deeper, where there is more moisture.

Hill up the soil along each side and at the ends if your plants are in rows, to form a long trough that will hold the water until it penetrates the soil right near the roots.

Leave a shallow dish shape around seedlings when planting them, for water to collect in. Water will run off soil that is mounded up. By the time it actually penetrates the soil, it could be well away from those thirsty roots.

Trench tomatoes.Tomatoes will grow roots from any part of the stem that is allowed to touch the ground. Extra roots are good for drought proofing. When planting seedling tomatoes, dig a trench and lay the stem and roots along it horizontally, leaving the leaves at the end poking out. This will enable more roots to develop. The tomatoes’ growth will be slower to start with as they develop those important roots. But the plants will be healthier in the long run.

Use a plastic dish in your kitchen sink to catch the waste water from rinsing dishes and washing vegetables. This water can be recycled onto the vegetable garden.

Install a tank – if that is possible. Then when it does rain, you’ll have extra water to use on the garden.

Warning

Soapy water from the bath and washing-up can only be used for a short period of time in the garden. The soap, body oils, fats and detergents will eventually prevent water from penetrating the soil.

By using just some of these hints much of the earth’s precious water resources will be saved while the garden will still provide those healthy vegetables for the family.