Amongst the falling raindrops, I decide to write about collecting rain for the garden. Whether or not drought conditions are present, it is not a waste of time to improve your area by conserving and collecting water. As any good rainstorm will show, water flows can be powerful. Capturing that rainwater will help your plants and save you money while improving the environment.

The landscaping on your property can be done so as to assist the plants with deep root development. The aim is to avoid runoffs. Not only do runoffs carry unwanted debris to the streams and rivers, adding to the pollution, but runoffs also deprive our plants of seepage. As you work in the yard, try to encourage rain absorption by slowing down a runoff area. Rain gardens serve this purpose. Rain gardens are composed of rocks and plantings. Their presence slows runoff and assists in absorption in areas that, without help, would have become rain ponds.

There are good examples of rain gardens in town. On the divider islands in front of Old Fort Park are beautiful plantings for runoff absorption. Continue west towards John R. Rice Boulevard, where the Agri-Park features several rain gardens that deter a runoff to the pond. The runoff still gets there, but in an eco-friendly manner, with minimal pollution added to the pond with the rain.

An adequate supply of water during the growing season will directly affect the quality and quantity of vegetable production. Flowering and fruiting plants have greater water needs, as do recently fertilized plants. When you water, water deeply and less often. This method will train roots to grow deep into the ground in search of water.

If you have a low-velocity water flow on your property, consider building a microcatchment. It is a concept promoted by David A. Bainbridge, who wrote the book Gardening with Less Water. A microcatchment technique is best used on gentle slopes. Spaced earth ridges would deter rapid runoff.

Another technique Bainbridge shows is a lattice pattern in a field. The lattice is a ridge which acts like a mini-dam. Ridging creates microclimates and can help seed germination. Along the same line is a field of soil pits. The pits are holes about 6 to 12 inches deep and several feet across.

In addition to deterring rapid rain release from your property, try these water saving actions:

– Remove weeds

– Use diversion drains to redirect water flow

– Water the garden in the morning before the temperature rises and the winds pick up and when there is less evaporation. Avoid evening gardening, and especially avoid wetting the leaves, as wet leaves in the evening will encourage fungal growth.

– Try to use recycled water: cool any water from cooking, then water the plants with it. It is filled with nutrients so it will be a fertilizer, too. Use the aquarium water as a fertilizer when it is changed.

– Install a rain barrel or water tank

– Increase humus in the soil by developing a compost system. Both composted material and worm castings hold moisture and nutrients in the soil. Add “seasoned” manure only.

– Use mulch. A coarse mulch allows water to penetrate yet prevents soil surface evaporation and helps suppress water-thieving weeds. Thankfully, mulched clay soils need less water than bare, sandy soils. Keep wood chip mulch out of the vegetable garden as chips do not decompose easily nor add humus value. They demand nitrogen to decompose, and the nitrogen would be better used by your plants.

– Use zone irrigation systems to target water distribution; put the thirstiest plants together. The zone irrigation from a drip system will place water where it is needed. This directed application of water will greatly reduce water consumption.

– For newly planted shrubs or trees, build a berm around the base as wide as the canopy; the berm will minimize water runoff, keeping the water near the roots of the plants.

If you get a chance, swing by the Master Gardener gardens at the Lane Agri-Park. They are located near the pavilion. You can find examples there of water conservation. There are also recorded classes on rain barrel usage and drip irrigation on the RC Farmers Market YouTube channel.

The quality of the soil is important in assisting water conservation. Work on developing your composting methods and adding humus into the soil.

Instead of planting in the ground, another option is to consider planting vegetables in containers. Of course, they are a more controlled space.

As you peruse catalogs, research drought-resistant varieties. You can also choose varieties that are more drought tolerant: Hopi Pink Corn, chickpeas, cowpeas, okra, peppers, Armenian cucumbers are suggested.

Water is the source of life—all kinds of life. Dependent upon the source of the water used for your edible plantings, you may want to monitor the water quality reports or get your water tested. The UT Extension publication SP-740A, entitled “Testing Water for Fruit and Vegetable Production,” is a great resource for water testing.

The length of the growing season in this area is one of my favorite things about having a garden in Middle Tennessee. There are several growing seasons here and, depending on the selection, starting a crop is an option through July. When assessing if the crop being considered will produce enough for you, review the days to maturity stated on the seed packet or plant tag. You might be surprised with what can be started now and enjoyed through the fall.

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Market Activities in July:

The Rutherford County Farmers’ Market is held from 7 a.m. to noon each Tuesday and Friday at the Lane Agri-Park Community Center, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro. It is a producer-only market.

Free classes are held each day the market is open at 9 a.m. They last about one hour.

July 2 – Cooking with Kids

July 5 – Vermicomposting

July 9 – Moles and their Holes

July 12 – Gardening with Kids

July 16 – Plant Pathology

July 19 – Landscape Plants for TN

July 23 – Canning Tomatoes

July 26 – Fermentation of Summer Veggies

July 30 – Seasonal Eating

Aug. 2 – Backyard Rain Gardens

Aug. 6 – Cooking with Kids

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Additionally, the Main Street Saturday Market on the Square is held each Saturday through October from 8 a.m. to noon.

And the Smyrna Depot Farmers’ Market continues each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon on Front Street in downtown Smyrna.