If you garden in Routt County, you already know that water is basically liquid gold. Between low snowpack years, unpredictable rainfall, and the naturally dry climate of the Mountain West, every growing season feels a little like we’re gardening with one eye on the sky and the other on reservoir levels. The good news is that with a few smart strategies, you can still grow a productive, beautiful garden without using enough water to irrigate a hay field.

The first step in water-wise gardening starts before you even plant a seed: plant selection. Some plants are naturally thirstier than others. Corn, pumpkins, and large watermelon varieties tend to drink like they just hiked Buffalo Pass in July. That doesn’t mean you have to give them up entirely, but it does mean being a little more strategic.

One option is choosing dwarf varieties. Dwarf vegetables often require significantly less water. Sometimes up to 50 percent less, while still producing a satisfying harvest. You still get your tomatoes, just without the irrigation bill that makes you question your life choices.

It also helps to choose regionally adapted or drought-tolerant varieties whenever possible. Plants that have been bred for semi-arid climates are much better at handling Colorado’s dry air, intense sun, and occasional watering restrictions. Many seed companies now offer varieties specifically suited for western growing conditions, which makes life easier for gardeners who would rather spend time planting than dragging hoses around the yard.

And sometimes, water-wise gardening means accepting a hard truth: you don’t have to plant everything every year. In dry seasons, it may make sense to scale back, skip the extra pumpkin patch, or let one bed rest under a cover crop. Your soil will thank you, your water bill will thank you, and honestly, your back might thank you too.

Once your plants are in the ground, one of the best things you can do is mulch like you mean it. Mulch acts like a protective blanket for the soil, keeping moisture in and the hot, dry air out.

Good mulch options include straw, wood chips, shredded leaves, cedar bedding, or even cardboard layered under organic mulch. The goal is simple: keep the soil cool, reduce evaporation, and make sure the water you do use actually stays where you put it.

How you water matters just as much as how much you water. Traditional sprinklers may be convenient, but in Colorado they often water the air almost as much as the plants. The closer you can get water to the root zone, the less is lost to evaporation. Drip irrigation systems are very efficient, but soaker hoses are a great lower-cost option that still deliver water right where it’s needed.

It also helps to water deeply instead of frequently. Light, frequent watering encourages shallow roots, and shallow roots make for needy plants. Deep watering, about six to eight inches down, encourages stronger root systems that can handle dry spells much better.

If you want to try a method that has stood the test of time, consider using ollas. These unglazed terracotta pots are buried in the soil with the rim at ground level and filled with water. Moisture slowly seeps through the clay directly to the roots, with very little evaporation. This technique has been used for thousands of years and is still one of the most efficient ways to irrigate a garden bed.

Water-wise gardening doesn’t mean giving up the garden you love. It just means growing a little smarter. With the right plant choices, good mulching, and efficient watering, Routt County gardeners can keep their gardens thriving, even when every drop counts.

Sarah Storm is a Routt County Master Gardener based in Steamboat Springs. She advocates for practical, hopeful solutions rooted in stewardship, science, and a deep love for the Yampa Valley.

Have gardening questions? The CSU Routt County Extension Office and Master Gardener help desk are ready to help. Stop by Thursdays, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., May through September. Call (970) 879-0825 or email rcextension@co.routt.co.us.