12 Drought-Tolerant Vegetables for California Gardens
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12 Drought-Tolerant Vegetables for California Gardens
Choose crops that cope with dry soil, then water them at the stages that count, and a California vegetable garden can produce on noticeably less water. Oregon State University Extension points to beans such as tepary beans and black-eyed peas, and to deep-rooted tomatoes and squash, as crops that tolerate drought once they have had water early in the season. Here are 12 vegetables worth trying, with notes on where each one fits.
Where you garden matters as much as what you plant. Along the Santa Cruz coast, cool nights can hold back heat-loving crops such as black-eyed peas, okra and roselle, while a warmer inland garden has more room for them. None of these crops grows without water, either. UC's guide to food gardens in drought notes that even drought-tolerant varieties need water to start and establish, and that "heat-tolerant" is not the same thing as drought-tolerant.
1. Armenian Cucumber
Armenian cucumbers (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) are botanically a melon, grown and eaten like a cucumber, and they take summer heat in stride. Heat is not the same as drought, though. UC's drought guide says cucumbers, squash and melons need water most during flowering and fruiting, so plan on steady moisture once the vines bloom.
In California, plant Armenian cucumbers from late April through June. Space plants 36 inches apart and provide a sturdy trellis, which keeps fruit straight and off the ground. The long, ribbed fruits taste best harvested at 12 to 18 inches. On the coast, give them your warmest, sunniest bed.
Best varieties: Yard Long Armenian, Painted Serpent (green-striped), Dark Green Armenian
Water-saving tip: Mulch around the base and water deeply rather than often, which encourages deeper roots. Save your cutbacks for before flowering, not after. growing cucumbers in California
2. Tepary Beans
Tepary beans (Phaseolus acutifolius) are among the most drought-tolerant of all food crops, according to UC Master Gardeners in Yolo County. Native to the American Southwest, they grow successfully in desert and near-desert conditions and have been a staple food crop there for centuries, Oregon State University Extension notes. Expect to order seed online.
Direct sow tepary beans in California from May through early July, once soil temperatures reach 70 degrees F. Space bush types 4 inches apart in rows 18 inches apart. Once established they get by on little supplemental water, which makes them a good choice for the driest corner of the garden.
Best varieties: White Tepary, Brown Tepary, Blue Speckled Tepary
Water-saving tip: Tepary beans fix nitrogen in the soil while producing food, so they pull double duty in a water-wise garden. Plant them where you plan to grow heavy feeders the following season. growing beans in California
3. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is more drought-tolerant than lettuce and many other leafy greens, according to UC Master Gardeners in Yolo County, who note that 'Bright Lights' and 'Fordhook Giant' can give repeated harvests on relatively modest water. That makes it the leafy green to keep when you cut back on thirstier salad crops.
Plant chard in California from February through April for spring harvest, or August through September for fall and winter production. Space plants 12 inches apart. Leaves may droop in afternoon heat and perk up by morning; if they are still limp at dawn, it is time to water.
Best varieties: Fordhook Giant, Bright Lights, Peppermint Stick
Water-saving tip: Harvest outer leaves regularly to keep plants compact. A cut-and-come-again approach gives you a steady supply from a few plants instead of a whole row. growing greens in California
4. Black-Eyed Peas
Black-eyed peas (Vigna unguiculata) belong to the cowpea group, and Oregon State University Extension says the black-eyed pea needs little water and actually grows poorly if it is watered too much. The limit is heat. Cowpeas need warmth to mature, and cool nights can limit their growth and reduce seed set, so they are a better bet in a warm inland garden than in a foggy coastal bed.
In California, direct sow from mid-May through July into warm soil (at least 65 degrees F). Space plants 4 to 6 inches apart in rows 30 inches apart. They grow quickly in warm weather and fix atmospheric nitrogen, improving soil fertility as they go.
Best varieties: California Blackeye No. 5 (developed by UC Riverside), Queen Anne, Mississippi Silver
Water-saving tip: Water to establish seedlings, then water lightly, since too much water works against this crop. Do not let plants go dry while they bloom and set pods: UC's drought guide says beans need water most when they are blooming and setting fruit. growing beans and peas in California
5. Tomatoes (Dry-Farmed)
Dry farming grows tomatoes on moisture stored in the soil from winter rain, with little or no irrigation after planting. UC's drought guide lists tomatoes among the crops that can be dry farmed and is clear about the trade-off: fruit with much greater flavor concentration, and a significantly reduced yield. Early Girl is the variety most associated with dry farming on the Central Coast, and the method depends on deep soil that holds winter moisture.
To dry-farm tomatoes, transplant seedlings deeply (burying two-thirds of the stem) in late April or May. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart to reduce competition for soil moisture. Choose a site with deep clay or clay-loam soil that was well saturated by winter rains. Results depend heavily on the site, so try a few plants before committing a whole bed.
Best varieties: Early Girl (the classic dry-farm choice), New Girl, Stupice, San Marzano
Water-saving tip: If your soil is shallow or sandy, skip true dry farming and cut back at the right time instead. UC says tomatoes need water most during flowering and fruiting and can do very well with reduced water after they set fruit, and Oregon State University Extension adds that many tomatoes do better when irrigation is cut off in mid- to late summer. growing tomatoes in California
6. Okra
Okra loves heat and handles dry summers well in California's Central Valley and Southern California. On the coast it is a harder sell. Oregon State University Extension notes that cool nights limit growth and seed set in cowpeas, and says the same is true for okra, so Santa Cruz gardeners should treat it as an experiment for their warmest spot.
Start okra indoors in April or direct sow in May once soil reaches 75 degrees F. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. In warm gardens okra grows 4 to 6 feet tall and produces from midsummer through fall. Harvest pods at 3 to 4 inches for the best texture.
Best varieties: Clemson Spineless, Burgundy (ornamental and edible), Jambalaya
Water-saving tip: Once established, water deeply and less often rather than a little every day, and mulch to hold that moisture in the soil.
7. Amaranth
Amaranth gives you edible leaves and grain, and it is one of the crops UC's drought guide suggests for getting the most out of the water you apply. It uses C4 photosynthesis (like corn), which is more water-efficient than the C3 pathway used by most vegetables. It likes heat, so coastal gardeners should give it a sunny, sheltered spot.
Direct sow amaranth from May through June, scattering tiny seeds on the soil surface and pressing them in lightly. Thin to 18 inches apart for grain production or 6 inches for leaf harvest. Young leaves taste similar to spinach and can be harvested within about a month of planting.
Best varieties: Red Garnet (leaves), Plainsman (grain), Golden Giant (grain), Hopi Red Dye (dual-purpose)
Water-saving tip: Pick young leaves while the plants grow, so you get something back from your water long before the grain is ready.
8. Peppers
Peppers are on UC's list of vegetables that give a good yield for the water you apply, but they are not a crop to stress. UC says tomatoes, peppers and eggplant need water most during flowering and fruiting, so the savings with peppers come from mulch, drip and deep, less frequent watering, not from letting plants go dry.
Transplant peppers in California from late April through May. Space plants 18 inches apart and mulch heavily. Peppers benefit from infrequent, deep watering rather than frequent light sprinkles.
Best varieties: Anaheim (reliable and versatile), Padron (early and prolific), Serrano, Bulgarian Carrot (hot and productive)
Water-saving tip: While plants are young, let the top inch or two of soil dry before watering deeply again. Once flowers and fruit appear, keep moisture steady, because a dry spell at that stage can shrink your harvest. growing peppers in California
9. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes need warmth more than they need a lot of water. UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County describe them as extremely frost and cold sensitive, needing sandy soil, a long frost-free season of three to six months, and soil that has warmed to 70 degrees. In Santa Cruz County that makes them a crop for the warmest inland sites rather than a foggy coastal bed.
Plant sweet potato slips in May or June, once the soil has warmed, 12 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart. Keep them moist until they are established, then water regularly, allowing the ground to dry slightly between waterings. Harvest before cold weather arrives in fall.
Best varieties: Beauregard, Garnet, Japanese Purple, Georgia Jet
Water-saving tip: Let the vines spread. Their leaves shade the soil and crowd out weeds, which cuts evaporation, though the plants still need regular watering through the season.
10. Eggplant
Eggplant, with its fuzzy leaves and deeper roots, performs well with limited water, according to UC Master Gardeners in Yolo County, who add that long Asian varieties such as 'Millionaire' tend to be more drought-tolerant than larger types. It still follows the same rule as tomatoes and peppers: UC says eggplant needs water most during flowering and fruiting.
Transplant eggplant in California from late April through June, spacing plants 24 inches apart. They love heat and grow vigorously in inland valleys and Southern California. Coastal gardeners should choose a warm, sheltered spot for best results.
Best varieties: Millionaire (long, Asian type), Ichiban (Japanese, slender), Listada de Gandia (Spanish heirloom), Black Beauty, Rosa Bianca
Water-saving tip: Use three to four inches of mulch, which keeps soil cool, conserves moisture and reduces weeds, and keep it two inches back from the base of the plant to avoid rot, as UC advises.
11. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Roselle, the plant behind hibiscus tea, produces tart, cranberry-flavored calyces for teas, jams and sauces. It is a tropical plant that needs a long, warm season, and its calyces are not ready until October and November. That suits a warm inland garden far better than the cool coast, where fall can arrive before the crop matures.
Start roselle indoors in March or direct sow in May after all frost danger passes. Space plants 3 feet apart, as they grow into substantial bushes (4 to 6 feet tall). Calyces are ready to harvest when they turn deep red and feel plump around the seed pod.
Best varieties: Seed is usually sold simply as red roselle. Choose seed from a supplier that lists days to harvest, and pick the earliest you can find.
Water-saving tip: Water to establish young plants, keep moisture steady as buds form in late summer, and mulch to hold that moisture in.
12. Winter Squash
Winter squash varieties are more drought-tolerant than most summer squashes, according to UC Master Gardeners in Yolo County, who single out the Japanese variety 'Red Kuri'. Deep roots and large leaves that shade the soil help, and UC's drought guide lists winter squash among the crops that can be dry farmed. Like cucumbers and melons, though, squash needs water most during flowering and fruiting.
Direct sow winter squash from May through June in California, planting seeds 1 inch deep in hills spaced 6 feet apart. Train vines to grow over mulched pathways to cover more ground. Harvest when the stem dries and the rind resists puncture from a fingernail.
Best varieties: Red Kuri, Waltham Butternut, Seminole Pumpkin, Musquee de Provence, Long Island Cheese
Water-saving tip: Water at the base of the plant, not overhead. Winter squash leaves are susceptible to powdery mildew, and overhead watering wastes water to evaporation while promoting disease. A simple drip line or buried olla pot is ideal. growing squash in California
How Can You Save Even More Water in Your Vegetable Garden?
Choosing drought-tolerant crops is one piece of the plan. How and when you water matters just as much.
Water by growth stage. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers and squash need water most during flowering and fruiting, and beans while they bloom and set fruit, according to UC's drought guide. After tomatoes set fruit, they can do very well with reduced water. Save water at the other stages, not at those.
Mulch everything. UC recommends three to four inches of straw, fallen leaves or shredded bark, which keeps soil cool, conserves moisture and reduces weeds. The coarser the material, the deeper the layer needs to be.
Water deeply and infrequently. Watering deeply but less often encourages roots to grow deeper into the soil, and watering early in the morning reduces evaporation, according to UC Master Gardeners in Yolo County.
Use drip irrigation. Drip lines and soaker hoses deliver water directly to the root zone, cutting losses to evaporation and wind drift. For a step-by-step setup, see setting up drip irrigation for raised beds.
Group plants by water needs. Oregon State University Extension suggests letting drought-tolerant crops share a bed while thirstier vegetables grow together where they get more consistent irrigation. That way you are not overwatering some plants just to keep others alive. garden planning in California
Harvest rainwater. A 55-gallon rain barrel connected to a downspout stores winter rain for dry spells. UC notes that collected roof water may carry contaminants and should not be used for overhead watering of food crops, so apply it to the soil. For a fuller plan, see keeping a garden watered during a California drought.
Which Kitchen Herbs Fit a Low-Water Garden?
Many kitchen herbs come from the Mediterranean Basin and are naturally drought-tolerant, according to UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County. Culinary sage is drought-tolerant once established. Thyme grows best in full sun and well-drained soil, and in hot summers plants in the ground need only enough water every month or so to moisten the roots. Culinary oregano does best with moderate water, though all oreganos withstand long dry periods. Newly planted rosemary needs ample water to keep its root ball moist.
Give new herbs that establishment water and good drainage, then group them by what they need afterward, away from a lettuce bed that wants frequent watering. Check containers separately: potted thyme should dry out between waterings, and any small pot holds less moisture than the ground. If your garden has more shade than sun, vegetables for partial shade in coastal California covers what still produces there.
What Soil Preparation Helps Drought-Tolerant Vegetables Succeed?
Even the toughest drought-tolerant vegetables perform better in well-prepared soil. The goal is soil that takes in water readily and holds it.
Add compost. In sandy soil, organic matter helps the soil hold more water, and it also opens up the soil so roots can go deeper to find moisture, according to UC's drought guide. Go easy on nitrogen, which UC notes encourages lush leafy growth that needs more water to sustain.
Avoid tilling more than necessary. Heavy tillage breaks down the soil structure that lets water move into and through the soil, and a minimal-till approach protects it. improving soil health in California
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow a productive garden in California without any supplemental watering?
Not for most crops. Dry farming can work for a few, such as tomatoes and winter squash, where deep soil stores winter rain, but UC warns that yields are significantly reduced. Even drought-tolerant varieties need water to start seeds, establish seedlings and get through the growing season. Plan on at least some irrigation, with the most care at flowering and fruiting.
Which drought-tolerant vegetables also handle California's clay soil?
Clay holds water longer than sandy soil, which suits deep-rooted crops such as winter squash and dry-farmed tomatoes. It also drains slowly, so work in compost before planting; UC notes that organic matter opens up the soil so roots can go deeper. Sweet potatoes are the exception on this list, since UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County say they need sandy soil.
How much water do drought-tolerant vegetables actually save compared to regular garden crops?
There is no single figure, because the savings depend on the crop, your soil, mulch and irrigation method. The biggest gains come from how you water: grow only what you will eat, mulch three to four inches deep, use drip, and give the most water at flowering and fruiting. UC notes that crops such as lettuce, most brassicas, carrots, beets and celery need consistent moisture through summer and cost the most water then.
Do drought-tolerant vegetables taste different than well-watered ones?
Sometimes. UC says dry farming can produce fruit with much greater flavor concentration, at the cost of a significantly reduced yield, and Oregon State University Extension notes that many tomatoes do better when irrigation is cut off in mid- to late summer. Cutting water at flowering is a different matter and risks the harvest rather than improving it.
When is the best time to plant drought-tolerant vegetables in California?
Most crops on this list are warm-season vegetables planted from late April through June, once the soil has warmed. Planting after winter rains lets roots grow into moist soil before the driest months. Heat lovers such as sweet potatoes want soil at about 70 degrees, which UC Master Gardeners of Sonoma County say arrives in May or June there; inland gardens usually warm sooner than the coast.
Can I use greywater to irrigate drought-tolerant vegetables?
Only with care. UC's drought guide says graywater is an option for ornamentals but should not be used on root vegetables or any vegetable whose plant parts touch the soil, because of possible human pathogens. Avoid household products that add salt, boron or chlorine bleach, and check your local building department's graywater rules before you set anything up.
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