I'm planning to update my fruit and veggie patches after this hot summer, and I'm looking for advice on edible plants that can withstand drought conditions here in the UK. I found suggestions online like okra and melons, but they require a lot of water. What are some good edible plants that you've personally tried and know can handle these dry spells? Also, are there any native plants that are edible in significant quantities instead of just as a novelty? Thanks!
3 Answers
Redcurrants have been doing pretty well for me, although they do attract aphids and you need to protect the fruit from birds. Just a heads-up!
Surprisingly, sorrel is quite resilient no matter the weather. I love it in dishes, especially with salmon. I've also noticed that gooseberries are flourishing this year, but keep up on watering when it gets super hot. My herbs like oregano and sage have been flourishing too—no extra water needed for them!
Sorrel with salmon sounds delicious! I’m glad to hear the herbs are doing well for you; I might plant more.
I’ve had luck with parsnips—they're quite tolerant once established. They do need some water, but not nearly as much as many others. Potatoes are decent too, though I've found they thrive with a good drink once a week instead of daily watering.
Yeah, redcurrants are great but keeping the birds away is vital!