1. Mulch deeply with organic materials around established plants to preserve moisture, control weeds, and build soil.


2. Drip Irrigate under mulch. Saves up to 70% in water usage and cuts down on weeding.


3. A light layer of straw over newly planted seed beds will help retain moisture while still allowing light to penetrate.


4. Germinate seeds under a plank (seeds that don't need light to germ). Check every day and remove the plank at the first sign of sprouts.


5. Sow seeds densely so that young plants will shade the soil and choke out weeds. Thin as needed to produce mature plants.


6. Sow fast-growing cover crops like buckwheat or cowpeas where large plants such as squash or melons will later fill in. This helps control weeds, retains soil moisture, generates organic matter, and protects the soil from sun and erosion.


7. In the heat of summer, plant cool-weather plants like lettuce in the shade of sparsely planted sunflowers or other tall leafy plants.


8. Irrigate in the morning or evening to prevent excess evaporation.


9. Make the tops of your beds or hills slightly concave to prevent water from running off.


10. Use shade cloth, branches, bamboo, or other natural materials to shade crops and soil from intense sun.


11. Use a rain barrel or other containers to collect and store water from your roof.


12. Let chlorinated tap water "outgas" in a barrel or in buckets for a few days before using it in the garden.


13. Select drought tolerant varieties that will thrive in your area without supplemental irrigation.


14. Recycle gray water to your gardens and trees.


15. Build swales, or lay out your beds on the contour of the land, to prevent soil erosion and retain water allowing it to soak into the soil.


16. Build a pond to store rainwater and to provide a microclimate for water-loving plants.


17. Learn more about swales, ponds, and water conservation in our selection of permaculture books by Bill Mollison.

Too much water?

1. Use swales and ponds to drain wet areas and to store water for when you need it.


2. In wet ground, raised beds will dry out sooner and allow you to plant two to three weeks earlier than a flat garden.