What Are The Best Irrigation Practices For Drought?

“I live in a semi-arid area and have been facing increased droughts over the past few years. My backyard farm includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and a few chickens. Last summer, I lost a lot of crops because of the water restrictions in our area. Could you suggest the best irrigation practices for conserving water during these drought conditions? I’d like to avoid a repeat of last year and keep my garden productive. Thank you for any advice you can offer!”

Thanks, Susan, Tucson, USA.

What Are The Best Irrigation Practices For Drought?

When you’re facing drought conditions in your backyard farm, like Susan in Tucson, conserving water becomes more than just a necessity—it’s the key to keeping your crops alive and thriving. Whether your garden is filled with leafy greens, tomatoes, or a mix of fruits, vegetables, and livestock, effective irrigation practices can dramatically increase your chances of success in a dry environment. Let’s explore the best strategies to help you not only survive but thrive during these challenging times.

Understanding Your Soil Type

The first step to any effective irrigation practice is understanding what type of soil you’re working with. Different soils retain moisture in different ways, and this can have a huge impact on how and when you should water your crops.

• Clay Soils: These soils tend to hold onto water for longer periods, but they can also become easily waterlogged. During drought, you’ll want to water less frequently but more deeply to ensure the water penetrates down to the roots.
• Sandy Soils: Sandy soils drain water quickly, often losing moisture to the air even faster than the plants can absorb it. Frequent, light watering is more effective here, helping to maintain a stable moisture level near the surface.
• Loam Soils: Loam offers a balanced texture, both retaining moisture and draining efficiently. If you’re lucky enough to have loam soil, aim for deep, infrequent watering to encourage root depth and resilience against drought.

In Susan’s case, if Tucson’s soil is sandy— which it often is—she might need to adjust her watering habits to make sure her soil doesn’t dry out too quickly. Mulching is a good partner to this watering routine, which’ll be discussed in a bit.

The Right Time to Water: Morning vs Evening

The timing of your watering can make a big difference in how water-efficient your farm is during a drought. The goal is to reduce evaporation and ensure that the water you’re using is actually being absorbed by the soil and reaching the roots of your plants.

• Morning Watering: The best time to water your plants is in the early morning, ideally between 5 AM and 9 AM. This allows the plants to absorb moisture before the heat of the day causes significant evaporation.
• Evening Watering: Watering in the later evening can also be effective, but there’s a risk of promoting fungal diseases because the plants will stay wet overnight. If you choose to water in the evening, make sure the plants have good airflow to dry out.

For Susan’s garden, sticking to an early morning watering routine could be the key to making the most of the limited water available during the harsh summer months in Arizona.

Mulching: Your Garden’s Best Friend

Mulching is one of the most effective ways to conserve water in a drought. A good layer of mulch acts as a barrier, reducing moisture evaporation from the soil surface and keeping the ground cooler.

Here are some excellent mulch options:

• Organic Mulch: Examples include straw, shredded leaves, and grass clippings. These materials not only reduce evaporation but also add nutrients back into the soil as they decompose. If Susan uses straw as mulch around her vegetable plants, it can significantly decrease her garden’s water needs.
• Inorganic Mulch: Think of materials like pebbles, black plastic, or landscape fabric. While they don’t break down and add nutrients, they often do a better job at keeping weeds in check. In a place as hot as Arizona, black plastic might not be advisable because it can increase soil temperature, but landscape fabric could be an effective alternative.
• Compost: Though not traditionally thought of as mulch, compost can serve a dual purpose by adding nutrients while also helping to retain moisture.

When applying mulch, a layer 2 to 4 inches thick is recommended. This thickness will help insulate the soil and keep those precious water droplets from quickly escaping into the air.

Drip Irrigation: Efficient Watering, Direct to the Roots

If you want to get the most out of every drop of water, investing in a drip irrigation system could be a game-changer. This method focuses water directly at the root zone of each plant, minimizing waste and reducing evaporation.

Here’s why drip irrigation shines in drought conditions:

• Precision & Efficiency: Drip systems release water slowly over time, targeted to the base of plants where it’s needed most. This reduces water loss significantly compared to sprinkler systems, which often result in a lot of water evaporating before it even hits the soil.
• Adaptability: These systems can be easily adjusted depending on the changing needs of your plants. In particularly dry stretches, Susan might turn up the frequency, while during cooler spells, she could reduce it.
• Reduce Weed Growth: By only watering where your plants are, you discourage weeds from growing in areas where they’re not welcome.

If setting up a full drip irrigation system feels daunting, start small by targeting your most water-needy crops first, then expand as you become more comfortable with the system.

Harvesting Rainwater: Making Every Drop Count

Even in arid regions, you can still make use of rainwater. Harvesting rainwater from your rooftop or setting up a simple barrel system can provide a valuable backup source during dry spells.

For Susan in Tucson, the monsoon season presents a perfect opportunity to collect rainwater, which could then be used in combination with other methods, like drip irrigation, to stretch out her water supply even further during the rest of the year.

Here’s how to get started:

• Rain Barrels: These can be attached directly to your gutter system to collect runoff from your roof. Place them strategically around your yard to make watering convenient for different garden zones.
• Storage: If you have the space, larger cisterns can store more water, allowing for irrigation that spans several weeks or months. This could be ideal for times of the year when water restrictions might be in place.
• Distribution: A simple garden hose can be used to distribute harvested rainwater, or better yet, connect it to your drip irrigation system.

It’s vital to cover any rain-capturing systems to prevent mosquito breeding and to periodically check them for debris or algae growth.

Greywater Recycling: Extending Water Use

Greywater is wastewater generated from household activities like washing dishes, doing laundry, or showering. With some simple modifications, this water can be reused in your garden, helping you irrigate during a drought without putting extra strain on your fresh water resources.

To use greywater effectively:

• Recycling Shower Water: Place a bucket in your shower to collect the cool water that would normally go down the drain while you’re waiting for it to heat up. This can then be used to water your garden.
• Dishwashing and Laundry: Water from washing machines or kitchens can also be diverted, as long as you’re using biodegradable soaps. However, be cautious with laundry water if you’re washing items with heavy-duty chemicals or bleaches.
• Direct Systems: For those ready to take it up a notch, professionally installed greywater systems can pipe treated water directly from your house’s drains to your garden.

Ensure that greywater is only used on non-edible parts of plants to reduce any potential health risks. In Susan’s backyard, diverting greywater from her home could significantly reduce her dependence on fresh water, particularly during peak drought periods.

Prioritizing Which Plants to Water

When water is scarce, sometimes you have to make difficult decisions about where your resources go. Not all plants are created equal in terms of water needs, so prioritizing is crucial to keeping your farm productive.

Consider the following when rationing water:

• Critical Lifelines: Focus on plants that are just starting out. Seedlings, newly planted shrubs, and trees should be your first priority, as these are the most vulnerable. Mature, established plants usually have deeper roots and can often last longer without water.
• High-Yield Crops: If your tomatoes, peppers, or other fruiting vegetables are in the middle of their growing season, they should also be high on your list. These plants contribute significantly to your harvest, and losing them could make all your gardening efforts feel wasted.
• Drought-Tolerant Varieties: Some plants are naturally more drought-tolerant than others. Native plants and certain herbs, like rosemary or thyme, can usually handle less water, making them lower on your emergency watering list.

In Susan’s case, if she has any heirloom vegetables or other particularly valuable crops under cultivation, these should come first when making decisions under tight water restrictions.

Maintaining Soil Moisture with Cover Crops

Another way to ensure your soil retains moisture is by planting cover crops during the off-season. Cover crops like clover, rye, or buckwheat help protect the soil from erosion, improve its texture, and lock in moisture.

Some benefits of cover crops include:

• Improving Soil Structure: Cover crops add organic matter back into the soil as they decompose, which can help sandy or depleted soils retain moisture more effectively.
• Balancing Carbon and Nitrogen: These crops can help maintain the right balance of nutrients to support your main crops when you’re ready to plant again.
• Reducing Weeds: By covering the ground, these plants help prevent weeds from taking over, which can be a big win, especially during drought conditions when every drop of moisture needs to go to your crops, not invasive plants.

For Susan, choosing cover crops that can withstand Tucson’s climate will enhance her soil over time, helping her garden stay resilient even in the face of harsher conditions.

Troubleshooting Common Irrigation Issues in Drought

No matter how well you plan, issues can arise. Let’s address some common problems and their solutions:

• Issue: Water Running Off Before Absorbing
  Solution: If water runs off the soil surface too quickly, especially in clay soils, water in shorter bursts. You can also mix in organic matter or soil amendments to improve absorption.
• Issue: Crusty Soil Surface
  Solution: A hard, crusty layer can prevent water from penetrating the soil. Gently breaking up the surface with a rake before watering can help, as will ensuring your mulch layer is thick and consistent.
• Issue: Dry Spots Despite Regular Watering
  Solution: Dry patches can occur if water isn’t evenly distributed. This is a good reason to invest in a drip irrigation system or manually monitor areas that seem dryer, adjusting your water distribution accordingly.

Alternative Approaches: Xeriscaping and Choosing Drought-Resistant Plants

Sometimes, the best option is to switch gears and start incorporating drought-resistant plants into your garden. Xeriscaping, or landscaping designed to reduce or eliminate the need for extra watering, is an excellent method to consider.

Some drought-resistant plants to consider for a Southwest garden like Susan’s might include:

• Succulents: These are famous for their low water needs and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, making them versatile for any garden design.
• Native Grasses: Buffalo grass, blue grama, and other native species are well adapted to arid conditions and can make your garden more sustainable long-term.
• Herbs: Certain Mediterranean herbs like sage, thyme, and oregano are naturally suited to drier climates and could be a great low-water addition to your backyard farm.

By choosing plants that are naturally more resistant to drought, you’ll greatly decrease the amount of supplemental irrigation needed to keep your garden flourishing.

Final Thoughts…

Susan, the importance of efficient irrigation in times of drought cannot be overstated, especially in a region like Tucson. By understanding your soil, selecting the right watering timing, using innovative techniques like drip irrigation, and prioritizing which plants to care for, you can make sure your garden stays thriving, even in the face of water restrictions. Mulching, rainwater harvesting, and considering drought-tolerant alternatives can all work together to help you create a resilient, water-efficient garden.

Thank you for your great question. You’re on the right track, and with a little bit of planning and these strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to make it through the next drought and have a bountiful harvest.