S17: E6: How to Create a Water Smart Garden

S17: E6: How to Create a Water Smart Garden

Author: Jill Winger February 17, 2025 Duration: 52:46

In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Johnson, aka the AZ Plant Lady and author of Water Smart Gardens, to uncover practical tips for making your garden more water-efficient without sacrificing beauty or productivity. We dive into time-saving watering strategies, the best veggies to grow in dry climates, creative rainwater collection ideas, and whether your lawn really deserves all that water. 

If you're ready to grow smarter, not harder, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss!

Podcast Episode Highlights

  • Why water smart gardening is for everyone
  • How to start the transition to a water smart garden
  • Step One: identify your thirstiest plants
  • Step Two: let your plants grow to their natural size
  • How to help our vegetable gardens become more drought-tolerant
  • How to water your vegetable garden
  • What Noelle's garden looks like in Arizona
  • How often to water the garden
  • Thoughts on shade cloth
  • Best time to plant trees and shrubs for saving water
  • The problem with plants from big box stores
  • Olla watering system
  • Rain water harvesting
  • Thoughts on annual flowers and lawns
  • Final thoughts and tips from Noelle

Resources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:

Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453

Learn more about Noelle Johnson here: https://www.azplantlady.com/and here: https://www.instagram.com/az.plant.lady/

Find Noelle's book The Water Smart Garden here: https://amzn.to/3QebPSD

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD:


Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!


There’s a quiet but persistent pull many of us are feeling-a sense that our modern comforts have come at a cost, leaving us disconnected from the rhythms that used to define a fulfilling life. Old Fashioned On Purpose, hosted by Jill Winger, meets that longing head-on. This isn't a lecture series; it's a collection of conversations and practical guidance for anyone who suspects there’s more to be gained from getting their hands in the soil, cooking from scratch, or simply slowing down. Jill explores the skills and mindsets that help us reclaim a sense of capability and vitality, drawing from her own experiences on the homestead. Each episode feels like a thoughtful chat with a knowledgeable friend, covering everything from gardening and traditional food preparation to cultivating a home that feels genuinely nourishing. You’ll hear tangible advice for integrating old-fashioned wisdom into a contemporary routine, making self-reliance feel accessible rather than archaic. Tune into this podcast for a grounded perspective on building a life that’s intentionally connected to nature, heritage, and your own two hands. It’s an invitation to remember what we’ve always known, and to apply those truths right where you are.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Old Fashioned On Purpose
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