Ep. 122 - Planning a Drought-Resistant Garden: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

Ep. 122 - Planning a Drought-Resistant Garden: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques

Author: Karin Velez November 15, 2022 Duration: 35:07

This week we’re talking about how to use less water in the garden. We are still in drought conditions here in west central Missouri, it was a hard gardening year for sure, but I also know when I lived in northern California that water conservation was always a topic of discussion and that was 30 years ago. Many of you live in areas where water is just naturally scarce, and restrictions are always in place. So how do we, as gardeners, balance a need to grow our own food and in some instances food for others with the need to use less of a very precious resource. We’ll talk about tips, tricks, and techniques to keep your garden growing with less water input from the gardener.

On that same note, the question of the week involves choosing drought-tolerant varieties of plants and whether or not that benefit has any drawbacks, specifically how well the plant is then able to tolerate very wet conditions. So, if your garden is full of drought-tolerant plants and you’re suddenly inundated with several days of rain are you sunk?

And in the DRL, it’s serious freeze protection, the Moth, and a flashback to the 80s.

Let’s dig in!

Resources:

Book: “How to Tell a Story: The Essential Guide to Memorable Storytelling from The Moth”

Soil Texture Analysis “The Jar Test” | Home & Garden Information Center (clemson.edu)

80’s Pop Playlist on Spotify

Ep. 108 - Basics of Saving Seeds


Get a Free Bloom Juice from Elm Dirt: Use Code JustGrow

Just Grow Something Gardening Friends Facebook Group

Check out how you can become a patron on Patreon

Follow me on Instagram

JustGrowSomethingPodcast.com

Merchandise | Just Grow Something

Positively Farming Media Podcast Playlist on Spotify


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


Ever find yourself staring at a seed packet or a struggling tomato plant, wondering what it really needs to thrive? Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening digs into those questions, moving beyond folklore and guesswork. Host Karin Velez believes that understanding the science behind gardening-the "why" as much as the "how"-empowers you to become a more confident and successful grower. Each episode feels like a conversation with a knowledgeable friend, one who sifts through research and practical experience to offer clear, actionable advice. You’ll hear detailed discussions on everything from soil health and specific plant varieties to managing pests and planning your garden layout effectively. This podcast is designed for anyone with a patch of dirt or a few containers, whether you’ve been cultivating for decades or are just planting your first herb. Karin’s approach demystifies the process of growing your own food, making it accessible and deeply rewarding. The ultimate aim is simple but profound: to equip you with the reliable knowledge needed to harvest something delicious from your own space, season after season. Tune in for a grounded, thoughtful take on home gardening that celebrates both the triumphs and the learning moments inherent in getting your hands dirty.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 333

Just Grow Something | Evidence-Based Home Gardening
Podcast Episodes
Your Greenhouse Operating Manual - Ep. 294 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:53
Get my greenhouse selection guide to help you choose which protected growing structure is right for you: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse A protected growing structure isn’t “set it and forget it” but a mi…
How to Pick the Right Greenhouse, Tunnel, or Cold Frame - Ep. 292 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:47
Download my Protected Growing Quick Guide to help you make the decision on what type of structure would work best in your garden: https://justgrowsomethingpodcast.com/greenhouse Thinking about a greenhouse but not sure i…
Hardening Off Homegrown AND Storebought Seedlings - Ep. 291 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:49
Hardening off is the difference between sturdy transplants that take off fast and seedlings that stall, scorch, or collapse after planting. Today on Just Grow Something, you’ll learn what to do indoors before hardening o…
Spring Garden Bed Preparation - Ep. 289 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:47
If you want an easier garden season, February is the time to set the foundation. Two steps do most of the heavy lifting: getting a soil test and prepping beds without damaging soil structure. Done well, these tasks reduc…
Indoor Seedling Troubleshooting - Ep. 288 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:57
Today is a clinic episode, a Seedling Troubleshooting Clinic to be exact, because if you’re starting seeds indoors, something is eventually going to look weird. A tray that was perfect yesterday is suddenly leaning. Some…
Onions vs Shallots in the Kitchen and the Garden - Ep. 287 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:17
Onions and shallots are closely related, they can be used in similar ways, and they look similar at the store, but they behave differently in both the kitchen and the garden.So, today on Just Grow Something we’re doing a…
Five Spring Crops to Plant Earlier Than You Think - Ep. 286 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:03
If you’ve ever planted a big patch of arugula at the same time you planted the rest of the spring garden, only to watch it shoot up a flower stalk a few weeks later, you’ve already met this week’s topic: heat-sensitive c…