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The summer of 2007 in our part of Kentucky was really a drought ridden summer. We would go about 15 to 20 days between even a drizzle of rain and when it came it barely did much for the soil or the plants.
With global warming I think this may well be the way of things of come in the future and those of us who garden and especially vegetable garden will have to rely on vegetables that can handle long spells of drought.
Water conservationists really do not want to water their gardens for long periods of time. Organic gardeners know too well that city water does not add a great benefit to making flowers and vegetables flourish. Rain water is the best!
The old standby tomato can do well in the drought because its roots can draw deeper into the ground searching for water providing the drought hits once the tomatoes are well established. Most gardeners know that tomatoes, once established are going do better in mid-season by cutting down on the water. The roots of melons and squash will do the same water searching and one can plant these with high hopes of a good yield once they are established and the drought hits them.
Black eyed peas and cow peas are a good drought resistant crop you might consider and if you like beans then look to the American Southwest Tepary bean which has been grown for centuries.
Okra is a good drought resistant vegetable.
In Tucson, Arizona, the land of little rain, a corn called Hopi Pink Corn does well and can be harvested in 70 days.
I have heard a lot about New Zealand Spinach, Perpetual Spinach, Aztec Corn and the Asparagus bean which is the vegetable counterpart of the cowpea all getting good reviews as to being very drought resistant. French beans, Beetroot, Carrots and Chard are very drought resistant. Cabbages do better with less water than lettuce so you might consider those.
Once your rhubarb patch is established it will do well in most any drought season and provide you with enough produce that you can preserve by canning or freezing.
Reviewing your planting habits and methods in our rapidly changing seasons and climates is a smart thing to do when one may well be gardening for survival with the right kinds of foods.
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Author Bio Box: Arlene Wright Correll
 For more gardening or cooking information click http://www.learn-america.com/
To see Arlene’s Gardens and to read her gardening diaries or click on Arlene’s Books where you can download or buy her gardening & cook books, including her new book, “The ABC’s of Wine and Beer Making”. Remember to check out her artwork, especially of her fruits and vegetables. Arlene says, “All my royalties from the sale of my books go to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and I thank you for visiting my site.”
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