Growing plants during drought condition

[jaxs]

Since a large portion of USA is hot and dry right now,I figure it's a good time to see various ways people handle it. 8 years ago I enclosed two 20'x20' areas with logs stacked 2 high as if building a cabin. A layer of 8-10 inch logs laid then limbs through chipper filled voids then topped with poultry manure and native soil. Progressily smaller limbs were piled and topped with chips,leaves,soil and manure to 3' at center of mound. Mound was covered in 12" native soil mixed w/composted cow manure then planted in beans,radish,squash and annual flowers. Dead,aged and deterating logs of fast rotting trees made up 50% more of wood (primarily Hackberry). A pecan tree was planted in each mound 3rd year and berries on perimeter. Four other pecan trees planted same year in perpared holes and recieved twice as much irrigation fell far behind in growth of those in mounds. Mounds presently stand about 16" tall and are expected to shrink less than a inch this year. Our Grandson did grade work on the site last year then paused as material cost spiraled. They are contracted to start construction in October and those trees where there was only pasture 5 years ago are a real asset.
After seeing how well plants do amid rotting wood compared to raised beds and composted garden,I did some lesser projects that are doing remarkable. What I'm seeing now with 100f + every day for a month is less sign of stress than plants not in composting wood. I believe those where irrigation is required will see well over 50% reduction in water and far less stress when unable to water.
I would love to take credit but it's a variation of two new to me methods known as Hügelkultur and Keyhole Gardening.
I will take credit for my water storage system. My grown kids have been on my case over my frugality for years and it was no exception when I set up and above ground pool scored free on CraigsList. I admit it looked a little odd sitting where I could pipe water to it from gutters of a building. After I finished it was a big deal for grandkids and the one now is a big deal for great grandkids. I moved dirt so pool sat above grade and installed drain at bottom so water flows through a garden hose (actually 3 connections) by gravity. Stones (free from C List) dry stacked to cover exterior and inside for fish to hide and rest amongst plus frogs to sit on. A few sunken pieces of wood and aquatic plants make a nice habitat and fish eat mosquito larvae if they show up. As a bonus,I've watched fish nab mosquitos trying to lay eggs. Airation and winter heat is a subject in their own but mine are totally wind and solar dependent. Why not 275 gallon totes? Several thousand reasons. A 30'x 52" pool holds 20k gallons. My smart aleck kids pretend not hearing me when I ask if they think 70 totes would look better than the fish pond. I actually do have a couple totes I move on a trailer and pump into pool if it isn't filled before rainy weather ends. I bought an old water meter from scrap yard I plan using to take advantage when I lack several hundred gallons reaching next 1k for billing. That would save messing with totes.

 

[Jstpssng]

It sounds like you have built yourself a nice garden spot. I'd heard about Hügelkultur but a, just starting to learn about it.
I am just starting to go with raised beds... I had originally thought that with 2 acres of field I wouldn't need to but raised beds allow me more control over my planting material.

You even have fish; may I ask what species?

 

[jaxs]

I to am just learning about Hügelkultur but despite my fumbling attempts it has worked better than expected. To sum it up,I would say it's a long term investment that begins with more work than conventional gardening but saves time and returns investment many times over the long haul.
I wish I knew the names of everything in the pool but for the most part fish and plants are local natives. Red Ear Sunfish,Bluegill,Carp,Bullhead Catfish,Goldfish,a couple of Channel Cats and wildcards captured in minnow traps make up locals. An acquaintance has gave me a few that he assured wouldn't become invasive if escaped but most didn't adapt well either. 3 little Freshwater Sharks that I've threatened to remove because they are aggressive but the kids are entertained by their antics. A group of what my acquaintance called Eartheaters seem at home busily eating off bottom. I once thought a 5 pound Appalossa would be interesting, and it seemed bent on eating everything else. Thing would lie motionless with mouth open waiting for fish to mistake it for a hollow log then eat them. Frog gig ended his reign and barn cats turned the table on him.

 

[5030]

Up here water is a non-issue, when there is no rain for a couple days, out goes the impact sprinkler at dusk and the garden gets a drink.

This might be the rust belt but it's also the water belt and I'm good with it.

 

[Jstpssng]

Up here water is a non-issue, when there is no rain for a couple days, out goes the impact sprinkler at dusk and the garden gets a drink.

This might be the rust belt but it's also the water belt and I'm good with it.

I won't water unless it's been at least ten days since a good rain. In part because I carry it in 55 gallon drums, and it takes about 5 to do the entire garden; but mostly because I seem to get a better root system if the plants are on natural rainfall.

 

[jaxs]

Up here water is a non-issue, when there is no rain for a couple days, out goes the impact sprinkler at dusk and the garden gets a drink.

This might be the rust belt but it's also the water belt and I'm good with it.

Idk know what you are getting at,but if you are suggesting that moving to the rust belt is the solution for gardeners experiencing water shortage ,good luck with that idea. You would be hard pressed finding anyone in Ok,NM,TX,AZ,NV willing to move to the rust belt if you paid them. However it is refreshing to hear someone say "I'm good with it".

 

[jaxs]

I won't water unless it's been at least ten days since a good rain. In part because I carry it in 55 gallon drums, and it takes about 5 to do the entire garden; but mostly because I seem to get a better root system if the plants are on natural rainfall.

There has been much debate whether plants do better with rainwater than tap water but the consensus is it depends on source of tap water. One thing all experienced gardeners and farmers agree on is infrequent ,deep watering is far better than frequent light sprinkling. If you have a way to handle 1 ton,have you considered a tote? I have a neighbor that hauls water in a tote from a creek to his melons. Wire from tractor to 12 volt rv pump transfers from creek to tote on trailer and gravity feeds hose to melons.

 

[Jstpssng]

There has been much debate whether plants do better with rainwater than tap water but the consensus is it depends on source of tap water. One thing all experienced gardeners and farmers agree on is infrequent ,deep watering is far better than frequent light sprinkling. If you have a way to handle 1 ton,have you considered a tote? I have a neighbor that hauls water in a tote from a creek to his melons. Wire from tractor to 12 volt rv pump transfers from creek to tote on trailer and gravity feeds hose to melons.

I was referring more to the depth of water penetration which a steady rain provides. I haul water in the back of my pickup, and like to fill the barrels the night before so that the water gets a chance to warm. I strive for an inch of water at a time, which is about what a plant should have per week to thrive.

 

[bigtiller]

I am trying something different this year.
I cut a 3" hole in the center of a 3' square piece of black plastic and planted the tomato in the hole.

The tomato cage helps hold the plastic down and a few pieces of metal around the edges.

For watering, I save the water from the de-humidifier in 5 gallon cans. I set the cans of water in the sun for several hours to warm it up and then give each plant about a gallon.

I'm happy with the harvest so far even thou we didn't get planted until late May.

 

[jaxs]

I am trying something different this year.
I cut a 3" hole in the center of a 3' square piece of black plastic and planted the tomato in the hole.

The tomato cage helps hold the plastic down and a few pieces of metal around the edges.

For watering, I save the water from the de-humidifier in 5 gallon cans. I set the cans of water in the sun for several hours to warm it up and then give each plant about a gallon.

I'm happy with the harvest so far even thou we didn't get planted until late May.

Isn't it especially sweet when new ideas come together with good results?