If Droughts Become Normal, Here are 12 Crops I'd Grow More

Comments · 269

• RI

  @riverstun · 4 weeks ago

  Everyone should start thinking about how to trap water in winter. At every level. If rain floods off your property in winter, consider mounding the soil to create swales that trap water and let it soak in. Rain barrels, of course, but these can hold only a limited amount. As a nation, the UK needs to consider rebuilding the wetlands that were drained, reintroducing beavers, replanting upland forests, and stop ploughing the land. The more moisture that can be trapped in the soil and in vegetation during rainy periods, the more will be available during the dry periods.

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• LI

  @Liz.Newton · 1 month ago (edited)

  <b>TIMESTAMPS</b><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=33">0:33</a> Kale (Daubenton&apos;s or Keeper perennial varieties)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=95">1:35</a> Autumn raspberries - perennial (All Gold)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=141">2:21</a> Courgette/zucchini<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=175">2:55</a> Bonus: Cucumber (outdoor Marketmore)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=189">3:09</a> Sunflowers (including dwarf varieties)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=233">3:53</a> Himalayan honeysuckle aka pheasant berry - perennial<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=277">4:37</a> Rosa rugosa - perennial<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=345">5:45</a> Giant goosefoot aka tree spinach - self seeds<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=427">7:07</a> Dwarf beans (French or borlotti)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=468">7:48</a> Red orache - self seeds<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=522">8:42</a> Rhubarb - perennial (Gaskins Perpetual)<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=570">9:30</a> Coriander/cilantro<br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-RqSPora-Y&amp;t=614">10:14</a> Amaranth - self seeds

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• DA

  @davidbennett9691 · 1 month ago

  Where I live on Canada&apos;s Atlantic coast, the hallmark of climate change has been unpredictability. Last year we had an early spring and a hot dry summer and fall. This year spring came late and summer has been wet and humid. The only response that seems to work is to diversify to the point that a few failures don&apos;t make a huge impact on the overall harvest.

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• HI

  @hilarydixon5489 · 3 weeks ago

  I’m from Australia and grow vegetables. Of course we are dry country and water in summer is a big issue especially as I’m on thanks. Your list seems to replicate what I grow almost exactly. &nbsp; And what most Australians would grow as we are very drought conscious. &nbsp; &nbsp;So yes, I can confirm in dry conditions all of these vegetables go really well.

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• HE

  @heaa8617 · 2 weeks ago (edited)

  Absolutely STUNNING - and the fact you include Beauty and Joy as nourishment is so rare, so unique. Brilliant. &nbsp;Thank you.💚

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• IM

  @imaginary_dave · 1 month ago (edited)

  Guys - &nbsp;I meant as a resource for people looking for help<br>Pre-ordered! <br>Possible video idea - soil prep for drought, as in what can be done now and overwinter to ensure better moisture retention etc <br>(idk, just an idea, even a tips compilation could work)

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• JU

  @justbelieve8217 · 1 month ago

  This beautiful type of amaranth is native to Mexico and we use it to make a traditional candy called alegría (joy), very nutritious and delicious, I love it! 😊

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• MY

  @MySemiDetachedGarden · 3 weeks ago

  It seems we&apos;re facing harsher winters and hotter, longer summers. I&apos;m concerned about water availability and have begun setting up my 17-barrel water harvesting system in anticipation of the next heatwave.

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• RI

  @riverstun · 4 weeks ago

  I live in the Bay Area, which gets no rain from about march to october. Being lazy about watering, I&apos;ve dug deeply into what I can grow with low water, and with reasonable heat in summer (basically, a Southern Italian climate). &nbsp;Zucchini, for the record, failed miserable for me this year, but if you have any rain and lots of compost, I can see why yours worked. &nbsp;So here is my list of the hardiest of plants:<br>Anything that grows naturally by the sea or in sandy soils:<br> &nbsp; Asparagus, Kale, sea-beet, fennel (herb). <br>Things that grow wild on mediterranean hillsides:<br> &nbsp; Rosemary, oregano, thyme, artichoke.<br>Things that go dormant in summer - bulbs, not just flower bulbs, but also things like onions, which for me, die back after flowering (which I cook with), but then build a new bulb that regrows when the rain comes back. I use these as perennial green onions, and the older stalks for the stockpot.<br>Fruit: &nbsp;Trees have deep roots, and many come from drought areas, like figs and apricots. Citrus and grapes and more also do well in the mediterranean.<br>Specialty crops, like Okinawa spinach (not my favorite).<br>In short, look to naturally hot and dry areas worldwide for inspiration. &nbsp;And dont forget to adjust to the seasons - here, we grow &quot;cool season crops&quot; such as lettuce in the winter months, and dont plant it in summer. In summer, there are the solanums- tomatoes, eggplant, tomatillo, and look up pepino melon.

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• CL

  @ClaireRousseau · 1 month ago

  My greenhouse tomatoes have really struggled this year, despite being on a watering system, the sun was just too harsh. My outdoor tomatoes are doing absolutely amazing though. I planted two harbinger tomatoes from Dyfi, and they are laden with fruit!! I watered them a fair bit, one full watering can at the bar of each plant every other day or so, and they were mulched with strulch but I was super impressed with them! I&apos;ll be buying seeds for next year!!

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• AR

  @arlene9993 · 1 month ago

  This amaranth is so beautiful, even as an ornamental plant. It brings beautiful memories of getting lost in my grandmother’s magical tropical garden every summer in San Salvador.

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• LO

  @louise-g2z · 1 month ago

  Dear Huw <br>you lift my spirits. <br>That&apos;s so helpful. We had very little rain in Ireland too. I found the same. Beans , Kale &nbsp;even cos lettuce was fine without water..<br>For anyone in IRELAND 🇮🇪 Gardens for Life have an online shop for perennials. &nbsp;<br>Take care Huw and thanks again.

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