There\u2019s nothing more satisfying than popping a flavorful homegrown tomato into your mouth at the peak of summer. But caring for a vegetable garden is often a high-water operation with many plant casualties, especially if you live in an area that doesn\u2019t get reliable weekly rainfall. <\/p>
We\u2019ve compiled a list of the nine top drought-tolerant vegetables to grow in your drought-prone yard or low-water xeriscape<\/a>. These hardy growers stand up to hot, dry weather, so you can enjoy delicious, healthy veggies year-round.<\/p> Keep in mind that for most of the plants on our list, certain cultivars do better in arid climates than others. For example, not all zucchini varieties are drought-tolerant, but the Dark Star cultivar is. When you\u2019re shopping for seed packets or young plants, choose varieties that have high heat tolerance and low water needs.<\/p> A member of the beet family, Swiss chard<\/a> <\/strong>certainly \u201cbeets\u201d out the drought-tolerant competition. It\u2019s a dark leafy green with attractive jewel-toned stems and deep roots that stand up to light frosts. Young, tender Swiss chard is perfect for salads, and mature, hearty leaves are delicious sauteed with garlic and peppers. <\/p> You\u2019ve heard of spinach and kale, but Swiss chard has its own nutritional superpowers<\/a>. Rich in iron, potassium, and vitamins C, K, and A, it\u2019s a heart-healthy hero, and its colorful stems seal the deal. They\u2019re packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that fight cancer and lower blood pressure.<\/p> Plant seeds 2 inches apart from each other in all directions. Topdress seeds with half an inch of fine soil or 1 inch of sandy soil. Once the plant has grown to 2 inches tall, thin out plants so they are 4 inches apart from each other. <\/p> If you time traveled 4,000 years into the past, you\u2019d meet ancient Greeks and Romans chowing down on cowpeas just like we do today. Cowpeas<\/a><\/strong>, a species that includes black-eyed peas and purple-hull pink-eyed peas, are hearty, protein-rich legumes perfect for soups, rich sauces, and salads<\/a>.<\/p> Not only are cowpeas tasty, but they\u2019re great for you and your soil\u2019s health. Recent studies<\/a> show that cowpeas may help fight diabetes, cancer, inflammation, and high blood pressure. Cowpeas improve soil health by fixing nitrogen (which increases your soil\u2019s organic matter content), reducing erosion, suppressing weeds, and attracting beneficial bacteria.<\/p> Cowpeas need consistent warm nights and soil temperatures above 65 degrees Fahrenheit with no threat of frost, so they won\u2019t thrive in the far North, but they\u2019re perfect for warm, arid climates like the Southwest and California, as well as in the Midwest and along the Eastern Seaboard.<\/p> Sow seeds by making a hole with your finger (1-2 inches deep) for each seed. Plant seeds 2 inches apart, with 3 feet between each row. <\/p> Once seedlings have emerged (in about 10 to 12 days), thin them out so seedlings are 4 inches apart for bush-type cowpeas and 10 inches apart for vine-type cowpeas. <\/p> With creamy yellow hibiscus-like blooms that grow 3 to 7 feet tall, okra<\/a><\/strong> gives your lawn lots of curb appeal \u2014 but it\u2019s more than just a pretty face! Okra is a hearty, vitamin-rich pod vegetable that\u2019s delicious roasted with tomatoes, fried southern-style, or mixed with seafood in gumbo.<\/p> Okra is drought-hardy and thrives in warm, sunny weather, which makes it perfect for planting in the South and mid-Atlantic. To prevent root rot, plant okra seeds in full sun after the soil has warmed to 65 degrees and the threat of frost has passed. Harvest okra when pods reach 2 to 3 inches. <\/p> While fried okra may not exactly be heart-healthy (though it sure is delicious), okra itself is packed with vitamins and minerals. It\u2019s rich in vitamins C and K and contains polyphenols<\/a> \u2014 a unique antioxidant group that improves cognition and memory and protects your brain from symptoms of aging. <\/p> Gently scratch seeds (okra seeds have a very hard coat) with sandpaper and soak them in water for 12-24 hours before planting to improve germination. Use your finger to poke three-quarter-inch holes in the soil, with 9 to 12 inches between each hole. Plant seeds in rows with 3 to 4 feet between each row. <\/p> If you plant multiple seeds in each hole, thin out extra okra as seedlings grow so that plants are 9 to 12 inches away from each other. <\/p> Ready to add vertical appeal to your horizontal veggie garden? Build a pretty trellis and plant pole beans<\/strong><\/a>. These vine veggies climb up wooden trellises, bamboo teepees, and freestanding poles for a cozy dash of cottage whimsy. <\/p> Pole beans will put you in green bean heaven: They produce twice as many beans as other subspecies like bush beans, and you can typically harvest them five times each summer. You can make all the green dishes your heart desires, and you won\u2019t have to worry about all the beans maturing at the same time and going bad before you can use them.<\/p> Pole beans are delicious in casseroles, smoked with bacon and tomatoes, or roasted with garlic and parmesan. Need more inspiration? Check out the Food Network\u2019s greatest green bean recipes<\/a>.<\/p> Make 1-inch-deep holes with your fingers and sprinkle four to six seeds in each hole at the base of your pole. Seed holes should be 3 inches apart from each other. <\/strong><\/p> Do not start pole bean seeds indoors or soak seeds before planting them, as this can damage them. To ensure germination, wait until the soil temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. <\/p> Zucchini<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>bread, grilled zucchini, zucchini fritters, zucchini soup \u2026 It\u2019s hard to imagine a culinary world without this sensational summer squash. With full sun and a dose of nutrient-rich compost, these fast-growing Italian beauties will stand up to drought and give you a delicious summer harvest.<\/p> What makes zucchinis drought-tolerant? Zucchinis have deep root systems and spreading surface roots that help the plant \u201croot out\u201d water in dry conditions. It\u2019s still a good idea to give your plants supplemental water when a drought hits.<\/p> You can choose between vine-type and bush-type zucchinis: Vines are excellent for trellises and add vertical appeal to your garden, while bushes are more compact and fit well into small garden spaces. Harvest zucchini when they are 6 to 8 inches long and get cooking!<\/p> Once soil temperatures reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit, sow your seeds in holes half an inch deep or plant 4 to 6 seeds together on mounds of soil (these little \u201chills\u201d improve drainage and help the soil warm quickly in spring). Holes or hills should be 2 to 3 inches apart.<\/p> If you are planting vine-type zucchinis, space rows 2 to 3 feet apart to allow vines to spread. After seedlings sprout, thin them out so they grow 8 to 12 inches apart. Grow plants in pairs or groups of three to promote successful pollination.<\/p> Amaranth is one multi-talented veggie. As both a leafy green and a gluten-free ancient grain, this gorgeous shrub is a one-stop shop for refreshing salads and hearty grain bowls. Plus, its tassel-like burgundy and pink flowers are gorgeous additions to harvest bouquets. <\/p> Growing 4 to 6 feet tall, amaranth will make your lawn the star of the neighborhood \u2014 and give you plenty of new recipe ideas. Creamy amaranth porridge<\/a>, protein-rich grain patties<\/a>, tabbouleh-style salad<\/a>, and stir-fried greens<\/a> expand your family\u2019s palate and offer a treasure trove of health benefits. <\/p> 1. Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
Swiss chard characteristics<\/span><\/h3>
Planting Swiss chard<\/span><\/h3>
2. Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
Cowpea characteristics <\/span><\/h3>
Planting cowpeas<\/span><\/h3>
3. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
Okra characteristics<\/span><\/h3>
Planting okra<\/span><\/h3>
4. Pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
Pole bean characteristics<\/span><\/h3>
Planting pole beans<\/span><\/h3>
5. Zucchini (Cucurbita pepo<\/em>)<\/span><\/h2>
Zucchini characteristics<\/span><\/h3>
Planting zucchini <\/span><\/h3>
6. Amaranth (Amaranthus<\/em> spp.)<\/span><\/h2>