Whether you are experiencing a transient drought, or live in a consistently dry region, there are many ways to give your precious plants the best chance of success.
Water where your plants need it
Plants only make use of water available to their roots, so do some research into the depth and shape of your vegetable plants’ root balls. Seeds only need the top layer of soil to be moist in order to germinate, but it must remain moist until the plant has put out a significant root. More established plants cope with occasional, but plentiful, watering as their roots can penetrate deep into the soil.
Drought tolerant vegetables
Some vegetables, such as Florence Fennel, are notorious for needing plentiful water, so if you are experiencing dry conditions why not try a change of crop? Sweet potatoes are grown successfully as far north as the UK, and once established they need only occasional watering.
Drip irrigation
Sprinklers can waste considerable amounts of water due to losses to evaporation, as well as being wasted on the spaces between plants. Drip irrigation systems deliver water directly to the roots of plants, avoiding these losses. You can use either soaker hoses to deliver water along a row of plants, or use individual “drippers” to water the roots of each plant, slowly and steadily, without wetting the leaves.
Collect and retain rainwater
Many keen organic gardeners will have a water butt or two for collecting rainwater. Make the most of the water available by installing water butts on all available roof space, and by connecting several water butts together to make the most of downpours when they do happen. You can buy garden scale water butt drip irrigation systems to make the very most of the precious rainwater you gather.
Organic content of your soil
Increasing the organic content of your soil is key to all aspects of organic gardening. Healthy soil with a high proportion of organic matter can retail a considerable volume of water between rain showers. Add well-rotted farmyard manure or garden compost to your soil regularly.
Drought vegetable growing techniques
A radical, but seductive, approach to growing food is the Edible Forest Garden, an edible ecosystem that mimics the high productivity of young woodland.
In more conventional vegetable gardens, surface mulching with plentiful organic matter around your plants can be an extremely effective way to both retain water and to improve the quality of your soil. Spread straw or fall leaves in a generous six-inch layer onto watered soil. Do not incorporate this mulch into the soil as it would rob it of valuable nitrogen, rather let it rot down on the surface. If slugs and snails are a problem, trial using organic mulches before treating all your precious plants as it can provide the perfect place for them to breed! If you suffer from perennial weeds then using sheet mulch is more suitable.
Sow vegetables seeds in trays, modules or outdoor seedbeds to concentrate your watering efforts in a small area. The young plants will need to be well watered when first planted out until they establish a deep root system.
Don’t lose heart if you are faced with a dry spell. A drought can be the perfect incentive to improve your organic growing techniques.
