Dry farming is a cultivation technique often used in those areas of the world where there is little rainfall and mostly dry, arid and desertification-prone soils. In order to adopt this strategy, it is necessary to know the characteristics of the soil, the humidity levels and choose plants that can withstand less favorable climatic conditions. But which plants adapt to dry farming?
In the driest countries of the world, in those areas where water and rainfall are scarce, a promising agricultural technique it is certainly thedry farminga cultivation method capable of adapting to unfavourable climatic conditions, poorly irrigated and mostly semi-arid soils.
This technique has been used for quite some time in many parts of the world. Think, for example, of the countries in the warmest part of the globe, Africa, the Middle East, but also the driest areas of the United States, Australia, Europe and Mexico.
When the land seems little inclined to accommodate the cultivation of plants and flowers, and when rainfall is really scarce, you have to adapt by implementing strategies aimed at overcoming these and other critical issues.
To do this, a series of techniques are used which aim to make even the most arid lands more fertile and fruitful. But how to do it?
For example, by cultivating drought tolerant plantsor working the soil to ensure that it can store as much water as possible. Let’s see what the most common and popular dryland farming techniques are and what can be grown in “waterless” soil.
What is dryland farming and what is it used for?
Before seeing how to grow with little water, let’s find out exactly What is dryland farming for?. We already know that this is a technique aimed at obtaining abundant harvests even in unfavorable climatic conditions and on unfavorable soils.
In a world struggling with problems such as the alarming rise in temperatures, the reduction in rainfall and the progressive process of desertification, being able to cultivate even where rainfall is scarce represents an essential skillprovided that crops are managed sustainably, without placing further burden on our Earth.
The primary objective of dryland farming, therefore, is to be able to create crops that are both efficient (able to provide nourishment even in conditions of water scarcity) and sustainable.
How to grow in dryland farming?
Now that we know what dryland farming is and what it is used for, we need to understand how to create a vegetable garden without water. Which crops tolerate drought? And which plants are heat tolerant?
This technique requires a lot of knowledge and a careful study of the soilhumidity levels and climatic conditions of the affected area.
Dry farming involves several steps, such assoil enrichment through organic nutrients and optimal use of (few) water resources.
Furthermore, it is necessary to cover the ground with a special natural mulch, so as to retain moisture and thus reduce the need for irrigation.
It will also be necessary to pay attention to eliminate weeds which take away moisture and nutrients from the crops. Returning to irrigation, the “drip” system or sprinkler irrigation is usually preferred, so that the plants are watered adequately.
Which plants can withstand the heat?
Let’s see, finally, what the dryland plants: which vegetables need less water? And is it better to grow fruit plants or legumes? As anticipated, when choosing crops, you must carefully consider the soil conditions, humidity and rainfall level of the area concerned.
Tomatoes and olives, for example, are ideal varieties for dry farming. Usually, this technique is adopted to grow both fruit plants and vegetables, cereals and legumes; which includes, in addition to the aforementioned tomatoes and olives, also strategic crops such as fruit trees, courgettes, grapes, broad beans, chickpeas, lentils, fodder plants for livestock, some varieties of aromatic and medicinal herbs, wheat, corn and numerous other types of plants.
Of course, this list cannot fail to include the succulent plants (cacti, succulents), perfectly capable of resisting even prolonged periods of drought.
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Source: www.greenstyle.it
