Here’s how to grow your own food with less water, even in a drought

DENVER (AP) — A few raindrops fell as Heather Grady carefully planted beet seedlings into the ground, but the sky refused to release enough moisture to ease her concerns about a dry winter when reservoirs remain low.

With much of Colorado in drought, Grady and her husband, Terrance, began discussing how they could save more water in their backyard vegetable garden.

“Even though it’s not a problem we created, we feel personally responsible,” said Grady, who has committed to reducing water and shared her gardening journey online. farmhouse in denver Instagram account.

one winter record low snowfall For much of the U.S. West, that means less snowmelt to feed the rivers and lakes that supply the region’s water. It sent a clear message to communities, agricultural producers and businesses that everyone should live with less.

Cities impose outdoor watering restrictions. Denver Water announced drought restrictions on March 25, the earliest in its history. Salt Lake City called on residents to voluntarily cut back and comply with mandates from government agencies. Cities such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Albuquerque already have year-round seasonal irrigation rules.

Irrigation of a food garden is generally allowed within a few parameters within these restrictions.

Even in places where restrictions do not apply, you can grow your own crops using water, even in a waterless desert. Here are tips from experts on how to get started.

Know your water and grow plants accordingly

Greg Peterson, creator of the educational website The Urban Farm, advises people to consider what water sources are available, including less obvious ones. Beyond the faucet, Peterson said you can collect rain in a barrel, collect water by rinsing vegetables, or turn the shower to lukewarm. His favorite example is to catch condensation from air conditioners, usually by placing a bucket under outdoor drain pipes.

Her co-trainer, Don Titmus, collects graywater in a variety of ways for the desert food garden and pollinator oasis he created at his home in Mesa, Arizona. During the summer months, Titmus said he showers outside and allows the water to flow onto surrounding plants. Titmus also washes dishes in basins with non-toxic soaps so that he can use the water from his garden.

When it rains, capturing it for later use is much better than paying for tap water, said Jamiah Hargins, founder and executive director of Crop Swap LA, a nonprofit that grows food on unused land around Los Angeles. The benefits extend beyond saving on water bills.

“There is more oxygen in rainwater (than tap water),” Hargins said. “It actually makes the roots happier and the plants grow much better.”

Choosing plant varieties that thrive on what nature provides in your area is one of the easiest ways to save water. Consider hybrids bred to use less water or heirlooms native to your region, Noelle Johnson said in her book “Water Smart Gardening.”

Feed your soil

Healthy soil has five components: dirt, air, organic matter, water and biological life. Healthy soil needs less fertilizer and less water than unhealthy soil, Peterson said.

Soil testing can show if there are deficiencies in any important nutrients, said Josie Hart, Associate Director of Sustainable Agriculture at Denver Botanical Gardens Chatfield Farms. Gardeners can often send soil samples for testing to a local public university or private laboratory.

To prepare the soil for the first time, break up the hard dirt with a tiller or shovel and layer with compost or leaves to create a soft texture. Adding compost on top in future years will allow the worms to move nutrients around, Titmus said.

Protect from the elements

Sun and wind are the main factors that dry out the garden. Planting next to a fence, tree or shed can help protect them, Hart said.

Shade cloths also filter about half of the sunlight, reducing evaporation for plants stressed in hot, sunny climates. These plastic or burlap fabrics can be hung on hooks nailed to a structure or draped over rings or poles just above plants.

Johnson, an author who gardens in Arizona, recommends intensive planting of vegetables, a practice that minimizes wasted space compared to traditional row planting. The intensive method moves plants closer together in a staggered pattern. The leaves of maturing plants provide shade and reduce evaporation.

Planting directly into soil also helps, Johnson said, since raised beds are more exposed to the elements.

People who cultivate in arid climates are pancake bed This method uses raised soil in small rows in a grid pattern around the plants, Hart said. The ancient technique used by indigenous farmers helps direct rain to the roots.

“Creating a waffle bed will capture whatever moisture you’re going through and keep it there,” Hart said.

Finally, everyone agreed that mulching is essential to protect the soil by keeping water in and weeds out. But be careful with wood mulch, which can leach nutrients from your vegetables.

Water deeply and less frequently

Experts agree on using an irrigation scheme that slowly delivers water directly into the soil. You can use soaker lines, a drip system, or drip tape. Everything that is sprayed loses water into the air.

Can the options be overwhelming? Certainly. But there are tons of resources online to help, including free. drip tape workshop via urbanfarm.org. Local nurseries and water utilities also offer free or low-cost workshops.

Using one of these systems requires watering deeply and less frequently to teach roots to grow deeper where moisture is stored, Hart said. Gardeners in hot, dry climates may find that frequent watering helps plants, but this keeps the roots shallow. Hart recommends watering with a drip system for at least an hour in the summer, but not watering for three days in between.

One thing Heather and Terrance Grady in Denver plan to change this year is irrigation patterns. Instead of short daily waterings, they will try deep watering three days a week.

“This is a huge change,” Grady said. ___

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