What is a dry garden?

Rain collectors are a vital part of dry gardening.

How do you grow a dry garden? That doesn't even sound feasible, does it? The term dry garden sounds like, but is not a garden grown completely without water. It simply uses techniques which allow the garden to be grown with the least amount of water possible.

Here are some tips for growing a productive, yet relatively dry garden:

*Use compost and mulch to help retain water in the dry garden. Mulch protects the dry garden soil from drying sun and wind. Composted soil holds water better than regular soil.

*Do not allow weeds to grow and compete with garden plants for water. Controlling weeds gives dry garden plants less competition and cuts water usage.

*Use rain water collectors. Collect rain water or direct it to the garden. Roof gutters can be directed into the dry garden with extensions.

*Reduce the number of garden plants. Less plants means less water competition. Most gardens produce more than the average family eats anyway.

*Loosen soil deeply. Start by digging up and overturning 12 inches with a garden spade. Use a hand tiller to deepen the loosening of the dry garden soil.

*Plant quick growth vegetables in the dry garden. Vegetables that mature quickly like radishes and lettuce will use less water in their lifetime than others.

*Space plants well away from each other. Consider watering plants by hand. Properly spaced plants do not compete for water in the dry garden.

*Harvest in a timely manner. Avoid leaving ripe vegetables in the dry garden. They will use more water the longer they are left unharvested.

*Aerate soil in the dry garden just as you would in the lawn. This allows water an avenue to reach the plants. Use worms, a hand aerator, or both.

*When watering the dry garden use water conserving methods. Consider container gardening, drip irrigation, a soaker-hose, or individual plant watering. Only the plants need water, not the whole garden.