Gardening Amidst Drought: A Global Perspective
Throughout my travels across various countries, I’ve consistently maintained a vegetable garden. It wasn’t necessarily about cost-saving; often, the local produce was surprisingly affordable. Instead, it was the unbeatable taste of freshly picked veggies that captivated me. Cultivating a garden amidst drought, however, is quite the challenge, but with determination, it’s feasible.
Recent years have seen parts of the U.S. grappling with intense droughts. Once-thriving gardens have been reduced to scorched landscapes, with any form of nourishment reluctantly provided by frequent watering. Such scenarios vividly remind me of my gardening experiences in two of the most challenging terrains: Kenya and Botswana.
In these African nations, prolonged dry spells are followed by a deluge of yearly rain in a mere six-week window. Particularly in Kenya, the scorching heat makes the Texan sun seem mild. Despite unreliable water supplies, it’s remarkable how families not only sustain themselves with homegrown produce but also generate surplus to sell. So, what’s their secret?
Concerned about drought in your locale?
Unsure if your region is drought-prone? Delve into my brief Gardening Self-Assessment to uncover insights about your area’s growing conditions and adapt accordingly. Here’s a firsthand account of how California’s drought impacted local preparations. Don’t forget to save our comprehensive master gardener advice for later!
Drought-Resilient Gardening Techniques
The residents of Kenya and Botswana have mastered a straightforward method. It’s composed of three essential elements, achievable with basic tools like a shovel or hammer.
- Elevated Garden Beds:
In Botswana, our rented property had elongated concrete troughs in the backyard. These troughs served as raised beds, ensuring the retention of every precious water droplet. We enriched them with soil during the rainy phase and planted our seeds. Drainage outlets kept seedlings healthy and maintained optimal moisture. To further improve the soil, we incorporated vegetable scraps and manure, letting the sun’s rays disinfect them post-harvest. - Shade Netting:
This meshwork performs a dual function: protection against blistering sunrays and drying winds. We installed PVC pipe frames to support the netting. The material reduced light exposure by about 40%, safeguarding plants from the harsh elements. Configurable side flaps allowed us to adjust the cover as needed. - Thread-Based Watering:
Efficient watering is paramount during droughts. For certain plants, we deployed an innovative thread watering technique. This involved PVC pipes with minuscule holes attached to water-filled buckets. Threads, stemming from these holes, directed water straight to the plant base, ensuring a consistent water supply with minimal wastage.
Innovative Drip Irrigation from Kenya:
Kenyan gardeners have introduced an ingenious multi-tiered drip irrigation system. This method, along with shade cloth, is visualized in a series of videos accessible through the provided links.
Valuable References:
- “All New Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew
- “Desert Gardening for Beginners”
- “Extreme Gardening” by David Owens
- “The Rodale Book of Composting” by Grace Gershuny and Deborah L. Martin
Final Musings on Drought Gardening:
Though drought gardening demands inventive solutions, it’s a worthy endeavor. Leverage the Gardening Self-Assessment to tailor your approach, applying the above strategies to ensure efficient water utilization.
Share your drought gardening experiences and best practices!
