Vegetables to Grow when There's a Shortage of Water
Ongoing drought conditions in the west mean serious trouble for
those of us who rely on vegetable gardens to feed our families. Without
water, it's nearly impossible to grow a crop which is why I'm changing
what type of vegetables are going into my garden this year.
So
what vegetables are considered to be low water? It's almost impossible
to turn up a definitive list since it all matters on the condition of
your soil, how water-wise you are in your gardening practices and where
you live. Personal opinion also weighs in heavily since some gardeners
weigh the yield against the watering needs when it comes to identifying
low water vegetables. From my own experience in growing veggies in a
high desert climate, here's my list of vegetables that do well in low
water conditions.
Low water herbs
With the exception of broad leaf herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and basil, most herbs are naturally water wise. I've had great success with thyme, oregano, rosemary, and sage which I only need to water about once a month.
With the exception of broad leaf herbs such as parsley, cilantro, and basil, most herbs are naturally water wise. I've had great success with thyme, oregano, rosemary, and sage which I only need to water about once a month.
Water wise tomatoes
I've experimented with all types of tomato varieties over the years and discovered that early yielding plants with smaller fruit use far less water than Beefsteak or Big Boy varieties. Cherry tomatoes (all varieties), pear tomatoes, Jet Star and Roma have amazing yields in relation to their watering needs.
I've experimented with all types of tomato varieties over the years and discovered that early yielding plants with smaller fruit use far less water than Beefsteak or Big Boy varieties. Cherry tomatoes (all varieties), pear tomatoes, Jet Star and Roma have amazing yields in relation to their watering needs.
Peppers
Peppers have been a staple in my vegetable garden forever and do quite well with little water. Spicy peppers such as jalapenos and Anaheims fare well, so do the Bell varieties.
Peppers have been a staple in my vegetable garden forever and do quite well with little water. Spicy peppers such as jalapenos and Anaheims fare well, so do the Bell varieties.
Leafy greens
Most salad greens won't make it without gobs of water, neither will beet greens or turnip greens. Leafy greens that do tolerate low water are Swiss Chard and "slow to bolt" varieties of spinach.
Most salad greens won't make it without gobs of water, neither will beet greens or turnip greens. Leafy greens that do tolerate low water are Swiss Chard and "slow to bolt" varieties of spinach.
Legumes
You can forget about growing peas and pole beans during drought conditions, though chick peas and cowpeas seem to do fine with minimal water. If you must have green beans, consider planting bush beans instead which seems to have lower watering needs.
You can forget about growing peas and pole beans during drought conditions, though chick peas and cowpeas seem to do fine with minimal water. If you must have green beans, consider planting bush beans instead which seems to have lower watering needs.
Squashes
While yellow crookneck and zucchini squash doesn't turn up on any of the low water lists I've seen, it's been my experience that they have a fantastic yield in relationship to their watering needs. Cumshaw squash also does well, however winter squashes (hubbard, pumpkin, spaghetti, acorn) produce very little for the amount of water they need to survive a summer growing season.
While yellow crookneck and zucchini squash doesn't turn up on any of the low water lists I've seen, it's been my experience that they have a fantastic yield in relationship to their watering needs. Cumshaw squash also does well, however winter squashes (hubbard, pumpkin, spaghetti, acorn) produce very little for the amount of water they need to survive a summer growing season.
Miscellaneous
Wrapping up the list of low water vegetables include okra, eggplant, asparagus and rhubarb. What I particularly like about asparagus and rhubarb is that they are perennials and once established require no water at all since they start their growth in the early spring while the ground is still moist. Also worth a nod (though I've never tried eating it) is Prickly Pear cactus which is growing in popularity as a drought tolerate veggie.
Wrapping up the list of low water vegetables include okra, eggplant, asparagus and rhubarb. What I particularly like about asparagus and rhubarb is that they are perennials and once established require no water at all since they start their growth in the early spring while the ground is still moist. Also worth a nod (though I've never tried eating it) is Prickly Pear cactus which is growing in popularity as a drought tolerate veggie.
Having a low water vegetable garden begins with selecting
vegetable varieties that don't need lots of water. Low water veggies
combined with water saving gardening practices makes it possible to
continue gardening even in a drought year.
