For most of the Southwest, “dry” is a normal state of affairs. We live in a complex mosaic of arid, semi-arid, and seasonally arid zones that make most generalizations impossible. And an especially wet or dry season can throw all calculations off, making our usual watering routines irrelevant. We must be willing to adjust to ensure plant health in our gardens.
That said, there are some things we can all do to maximize the natural precipitation that we do get. Much has been written about water harvesting. Water management can be as elaborate as you like: rainwater storage tanks, gray-water systems with tanks and pumps connected to irrigation, complicated irrigation-zone installations. All of these options, however, are dependent on available skill and budgets. But we can all start somewhere, so the following are some basics of water conservation that anyone can strive for. Even small changes help!
There are hundreds of great plants that have low water requirements. Succulents, natives, and adaptable plants from other arid and Mediterranean parts of the world can all create amazing garden combinations. If you have any doubts, visit some of the great botanic gardens scattered throughout the Southwest for ideas.
Plan your gardens so that plants with similar water requirements live together. Ideally, keep any plants with higher water needs near the house to take advantage of roof runoff, or rainwater directed by downspouts. Use more drought-tolerant plants farther out where frequent care and watering are not as likely.
Watching a long-awaited rainfall run quickly away from your thirsty plants is so disappointing! With a little modification of your garden’s contours, you can create minor landforms that direct the water where
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