Most areas of the country have issues with water. A lot of us also like to grow our own fruit and vegetables. Cathy Isom lets us know about some drought tolerant edible plants. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours.
There are several drought-tolerant productive plant choices that’ll put out fruits and veggies without much in the way of irrigation or rain.
One example is the Prickly Pear. It not only produces deliciously tropical flavored fruits, but edible cactus pads, too. Or Pomegranate. Another fruit tree that puts out delicious, healthy food that requires little watering. When they begin to fruit in the fall, it’s best to keep water off of them as the fruits will physically burst from overhydration.Â
Grapes. They need a little irrigation when starting off, but once those roots dig deep into the soil, they are real survivors. The trick with growing grapes is choosing the appropriate variety for the USDA Zone.
Sage. This bushy shrub has no fear of desert soil. It’s a great culinary herb and wonderful addition to tea, and it’ll grow in most happily where water is in short supply. It’s also very aromatic.
Rosemary, like sage, is a familiar evergreen herb in most US kitchens. It kicks up oven-roasted potatoes and flavors homemade bread. It’s great for infusing oils or just using as smell’um around the house. It grows naturally in dry places, so it won’t be begging for another drink.
Purslane, which is sometimes confused as a weed, is a great ground cover – and edible – and will grow prolifically with no care in arid regions.
Thyme also does well as a ground cover for dry places. It’ll creep along the landscape and survive droughts long after other plants have given way.
I’m Cathy Isom…