In this episode, I sit down with Noelle Johnson, aka the AZ Plant Lady and author of Water Smart Gardens, to uncover practical tips for making your garden more water-efficient without sacrificing beauty or productivity. We dive into time-saving watering strategies, the best veggies to grow in dry climates, creative rainwater collection ideas, and whether your lawn really deserves all that water. If you're ready to grow smarter, not harder, this conversation is packed with advice you won’t want to miss!Podcast Episode HighlightsWhy water smart gardening is for everyoneHow to start the transition to a water smart gardenStep One: identify your thirstiest plantsStep Two: let your plants grow to their natural sizeHow to help our vegetable gardens become more drought-tolerantHow to water your vegetable gardenWhat Noelle's garden looks like in ArizonaHow often to water the gardenThoughts on shade clothBest time to plant trees and shrubs for saving waterThe problem with plants from big box storesOlla watering systemRain water harvestingThoughts on annual flowers and lawnsFinal thoughts and tips from NoelleResources Mentioned in This Podcast Episode:Learn more about Meal Craft here: https://mealcraftmethod.com/meal-craft-main177846-9453Learn more about Noelle Johnson here: https://www.azplantlady.com/and here: https://www.instagram.com/az.plant.lady/Find Noelle's book The Water Smart Garden here: https://amzn.to/3QebPSDOTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR YOUR HOMESTEAD: Sign up for weekly musings from my homestead: http://theprairiehomestead.com/letter Get my free homesteading tutorials & recipes here: www.theprairiehomestead.com Jill on Instagram: @jill.winger Jill on Facebook: http://facebook.com/theprairiehomestead Apply to be a guest on the Old-Fashioned on Purpose podcast: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/podcast-guest-application Did you enjoy listening to this episode? Please drop a comment below or leave a review to let us know. This can help other folks learn about this podcast and we also really appreciate the feedback!