CORVALLIS, Ore. — Gardeners hoping to conserve water can start by growing crops that naturally need less of it. Choosing drought-tolerant vegetables and matching irrigation to plant needs makes water-wise gardening both practical and productive.
“Some vegetables, such as beans, are adapted to drought conditions at a very basic, cellular level,” said Jim Myers. “Tepary beans grow successfully in desert and near-desert conditions. They’re native to the American Southwest and have been a staple food crop there for hundreds, or probably thousands, of years. I’ve grown them successfully in Oregon.”
Beans in the cowpea group — including black-eyed peas — also perform well with little irrigation.
“The black-eyed pea needs little water and actually grows poorly if watered too much,” Myers said. “However, cowpea beans need heat to mature, and our cool nights can limit growth and reduce seed set. The same is true for okra.”
Some common beans, such as snap and pole beans, have short growing seasons and can produce well with limited moisture.
Deep-rooted crops draw from lower soil layers
Tomatoes, squash and melons develop deep root systems that help them draw moisture from the soil long after the surface dries in midsummer.
“There’s also a zucchini variety, ‘Dark Star,’ bred for its ability to grow under dryland conditions with roots that seek out the water table,” Myers said.
“As long as these vegetables have water early in their growing season, they tolerate drought,” he added. “In fact, many tomatoes actually do better if you cut off irrigation in mid- to late summer.” Reducing late-season watering can also lower the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases.
Not all crops can take the heat
Cool-season crops, by contrast, are not drought-resistant. These include peas, lentils and fava beans, as well as the crucifer family — Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, kale, kohlrabi, mustard, broccoli, turnips and watercress.
Sweet corn and lettuce are also shallow-rooted and require frequent watering to thrive.
Group plants by water needs
To make the most of every drop, group vegetables according to how much water they need. Drought-tolerant crops can share a bed, while thirstier vegetables grow together in areas that receive more consistent irrigation.
In addition to using well-known water-saving techniques such as drip irrigation and mulching, apply water thoughtfully — give plants only as much as they need, not as much as they can withstand.
Previously titled Some vegetables require less water than others
