Create a Water-Wise Herb Garden

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Drought-tolerant herbs, such as sage, Spanish lavender, santolina and ground-hugging thymes, conserve water and prevent erosion on this California hillside garden. Saxon Holt

Herb gardeners are not the kind of people who give up easily. A few years ago, when I nursed my garden through a drought with heavy water (the type carried by hand), I learned the value of special planting techniques borrowed from the native people of the arid Southwest, and gained a new appreciation for the natural drought tolerance of lavender, rosemary and other Mediterranean herbs.

Those of us who grow herbs have a big advantage when it comes to water-wise gardening because we have so many beautiful drought-tolerant choices available to us. (See "A Bountiful, Water-Wise Bed" on Page 30.)

By combining herbs that thrive under dry conditions with several time-tested strategies for reducing moisture loss, you easily can grow an herb garden that requires little or no supplemental water.

Strategy # 1:
Create Moisture Zones

In water-strapped communities across the country, gardeners have found that placing plants that share similar moisture needs together makes watering more effective and convenient. For example, you might place St. John’s wort, lovage, marshmallow and other herbs that prefer moist soil together in a spot shaded from hot afternoon sun. Should the rain clouds disappear for weeks at a time, you can efficiently water the heavy drinkers until they are satisfied. In similar fashion, herbs that need little water, such as horehound, santolina and all succulents, can be grouped together in hot spots that are difficult to water.

Strategy #2: Support
Water-Seeking Roots

Newly planted herbs need moist soil until they establish a functioning network of roots. But after a few weeks, you can fine-tune your watering practices to push plants to develop bigger, better root systems.