Preserving Water with Drought Resistant Plants

by Russell van Kraayenburg

Smart planting can lead to savings and a positive impact on the environment.

Drought tolerable plants

Choosing plants that require less frequent watering is a great way to save money and help the environment. Even if you live in an area that is experiencing drought, you can still grow herbs and vegetables. While succulents are all the rage right now, there are many options when it comes to planting drought-resistant plants. Additionally, adding a rain barrel to your house will maximize the use of any rain water, even in the driest landscape.

Drought Resistant Herbs and Vegetables

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Herbs - Two popular drought resistant plants are common kitchen herbs, rosemary and thyme. Once their roots are established, both are sturdy, tough herbs that need little water. Herbs that are common to the Mediterranean, such as oregano and sage, share these same attributes.

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Vegetables - Many cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower) are able to survive with little and infrequent watering. For summer crop vegetables, choose squashes, peppers, and tomatoes as your environmentally-friendly crops. Greens and lettuces that grow year-round are other great plants to consider.

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Care and Maintenance

Well-prepared soil - When planting a drought tolerant garden, remember that a well-prepared soil that drains properly is vital. As with most other plants, these plants' roots do not like sitting in water. Few and heavier watering sessions are preferred over frequent, small watering sessions. Be sure to always check a plant's watering requirements, as they can vary from one cultivar to another.

When to water - As for when to water, wait just until the leaves on a plant begin to droop. This is your plant's way of telling you that it's ready for more water.

Use rainwater- Having a water retention system like the Salsa Rain Barrel is a great way to take eco-friendly planting a step further by collecting and saving your rain water. It is especially helpful if you live in a drought area, or it is a drier time of the year, so you can have the water when YOU need it.

For people looking to save water and plant an environmentally sustainable garden, planting smart with drought tolerant plants and a Fiskars Salsa Rain Barrel System with DiverterPro™ helps get the most out of your eco-friendly gardens.