When water is in high demand and in short supply, it may seem like the answer is to plant less. But what if I told you that was wrong? In fact, plants may actually be the answer to helping us preserve and increase our water supply. How? By reducing local temperatures through shading and evapotranspiration (movement of water from land and plant material into the atmosphere). Plants create a buffering layer between the ground and the open air, creating an overall cooler, more enjoyable climate for people while also contributing to cloud formation that further cools across regions.

What Are the Best Plants for Drought-Prone Climates?

If you live in a drought-affected region, you may be wondering which plants are best. Some plants require more net water inputs than others. Trees and bushes generally provide the greatest benefits over time because they can sink their roots deeper than other plants, allowing them to access water often beyond the herbaceous root zone. Plus, the roots of trees and woody bushes act as a means of pulling water up to the root zone of neighboring plants from far below.

For herbaceous annuals and perennials, native plants are always a great choice, as they typically have lower water needs in drought-prone regions. Check with your local extension services for a list of native plants that will thrive in your region.

Drought-Tolerant Plants Recommended By North Carolina State University:

• Tree List
• Shrub Plant List
• Herbaceous Annual Plant List
• Herbaceous Perennial Plant List

Reduce Lawn Size to Save Water

Lawns are generally considered poor plant choices if your priority is minimizing water inputs for your landscape. However, that doesn’t mean you have to forgo them altogether. Downsizing your lawn can help you maintain a sizeable area for recreational activity while increasing the space available to add trees that can increase shade and lower localized temperatures. This addition will often make your grass areas more enjoyable to spend time in anyway. A little shade can go a long way in reducing the effects of heat and drought on nearby plants.

Choosing Warm-Season Vs. Cool-Season Grasses

Choosing the right type of grass can also lead to a much more attractive appearance and better rooting habits that reduce the effects of heat and water stress. Common lawn grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass, which starts to go dormant at temperatures exceeding 75°F, often lead homeowners to increase their watering frequency and volume as the grass begins to yellow. Instead, consider planting Bermuda grass or Zoysiagrass. Both will maintain their color during summers with temperatures exceeding 80°F due to their deep root systems. Deep roots increase the grass's access to water for longer periods than those with shorter roots.

Managing Vegetable and Herb Gardens During Drought

While landscapes can be adapted to recurring drought conditions with a few smart plant selections and placement choices, food-producing plants will generally require consistent water to sustain a harvest. However, home gardeners can make their fruit and vegetable gardens more water-conscious by switching to drip irrigation and amending their soil with water-retentive inputs that reduce water loss as temperatures rise. Throughout the season, you may also consider using products that promote beneficial microbial activity to build stronger, deeper root systems. The deeper the roots, the greater access your plants have to water between water applications.

Tips For Supporting Home Vegetable Gardens During Drought:

• Add Retain water retention crystals and Biochar to increase water-holding capacity within soil.
• Apply Biological Soil Amendments like MicroRevive or Soil Revival Insect Frass to support deep root development and increase plant resilience to pest and disease pressures.
• Switch to drip irrigation for targeted water delivery that avoids large amounts of water lost to evaporation and run-off.
• Place vegetables and herbs that require relief from hot afternoon temperatures under a shade cloth, or in a location where they will receive afternoon shade or dappled sunlight from tree canopies.
• Cover exposed soil around your plants with a 4-inch-thick layer of mulch to cool the soil and retain water. Leave some empty space around the stems for air circulation.

Recommended Products For Water Retention and Root Growth:

Best Home Garden Practices For Water Retention

Choosing The Right Planting Time

Wait until the fall season to plant herbaceous perennials, as dropping temperatures will reduce heat stress and water demand on developing plants while allowing time for the roots to grow and establish over the fall, winter, and spring seasons.

Keep The Ground Covered With Plants or Mulch

While you may be tempted to cover exposed soil with rock, we highly recommend that you don’t. Hard materials like rock and gravel increase the surface and ground temperatures, leading to more water loss. Instead, cover exposed soil with a groundcover plant or mulch. Mulch traps moisture, builds soil, suppresses weeds, and reduces ground temperatures, while rock absorbs heat and increases the rate of water evaporation from the soil.

Water Deeply, But Infrequently For Increased Drought Tolerance

Always prioritize watering new plants regularly until their root systems have established. As plants become established, you can decrease the watering frequency while increasing the volume applied. This will cause the roots to drive deeper into the soil as they search for water. This is especially beneficial for trees and bushes to prevent shallow roots from crawling across the soil's surface.

While this practice is best implemented during the early spring months as temperatures first begin to rise, it may be started later in the season with the aid of a root-stimulating amendment, such as MicroRevive Biological Soil Amendment or Soil Revival Insect Frass, to encourage deeper root growth. Please note that this practice is not necessarily recommended for vegetable crops, which produce best with regular watering schedules for consistent yields.

Water The Soil, Not the Air

Whether you are watering landscapes or vegetable gardens, drip irrigation is preferred for delivering water directly to the plants. Spray irrigation systems lead to high water loss through evaporation. Further optimize your water delivery by applying water in the early morning hours, giving your plants time to absorb and distribute it throughout the soil before the hot afternoon temperatures hit. This will prevent water lost to evaporation while also discouraging disease development that may be encouraged by night applications.