Save Water: Veggies for the Water-Smart Gardener

I’m always looking for ways to save water, whether at home or in the garden. One of the key principles of regenerative growing is conserving natural resources, and I’ve implemented a few measures in my garden to reduce my watering needs. From building hugelkultur raised beds and collecting rainwater to mulching and intensive planting (goodbye, plant spacing rules!), I rarely reach for the hose, even in the peak of summer heat. It turns out that choosing the right plants is also an easy way to save water; here are some tips to get you started. 

Save Water with Water-Savvy Heirlooms and Hybrids 

Heirloom plant varieties are having a moment in the modern-day Victory Garden as people look to the past for inspiration. There are so many beautiful options available, and some smart ones, too! Selecting an heirloom native to a dry region will help conserve water in the garden. Think Detroit dark red beets, lavender hyssop, Alaska nasturtium, and Missouri Heirloom Watermelon. Like most heirlooms, corn varieties like Hopi Greasy Head and Taos Blue have deep roots that find water in the ground, so you don’t have to.   

I love heirlooms, but I have to admit it’s pretty cool to find a rockin’ hybrid for the garden. These are vegetables that have been intentionally cross-pollinated using different varieties to create a crop with the best traits of each parent plant. If you’re planting hybrids, select one that has been bred to require less water. 

Water-Efficient Veg

Many warm-season fruits and vegetables are thirsty and pretty demanding when it comes to how often they see the hose. Cooler-season veg is a lot more water-efficient. Here’s a list of some crops that can help you with your water-saving goals:

• Herbs like basil, thyme, chives, rosemary, and sage
• Asparagus
• Pole beans
• Snap beans
• Tepary beans
• Swiss chard
• Eggplant
• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Squash
• Mustard greens
• Melons

Don’t Sweat Temporary Wilting

On those hot summer days, it’s not uncommon to find some of your prized plants wilting in the hot afternoon sun, especially those with big leaves, like zucchini and pumpkin. Try not to panic! If you know the garden has enough moisture, this is just water evaporating from the leaf surface. If you see the plant recovers in the evening, you don’t have anything to worry about. 

Good Gardening Practices for Water Conservation

Good gardening practices go a long way in conserving water. Add compost to the soil, mulch around your plants, and explore techniques like hugelkultur and wicking beds. Careful plant selection can help, too! You’ll be amazed at how quickly you will become a water-savvy grower.    

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please grab a copy of Noelle Johnson’s The Water-Smart Garden: Techniques and Strategies for Conserving, Capturing, and Efficiently Using Water in Today’s Climate… and Tomorrow’s.

Here’s a peek: “As freshwater shortages increasingly strike regions around the globe, it’s more important than ever to employ water-conserving practices in the garden. Whether your landscape is filled with shrubs and perennials or fruits and vegetables, in The Water-Smart Garden, you’ll learn dozens of techniques to limit water use while growing a gorgeous and thriving garden. Not only will you learn how to make smart plant choices and improve the water-holding capacity of your soil, you’ll learn xeriscaping techniques, drought-tolerant growing tips, and plant care advice to make the most of low-water situations.”