Choose native plants, drought resistant plants, and pest resistant ones.
Native plants are those that are indigenous to your region. They are already suited to your climate, rainfall, and soil types, so they require less fertilizer and water. Because they are also more accustomed to local birds, insects, and other wildlife, they tend to require less care.
Many herbs and ornamental grasses are drought resistant. Some of the more drought-resistant flowers include lantana and yarrow.
Some species, like many herbs, marigolds, and mums, naturally have insect-repelling abilities. (Mums actually have a substance known as pyrethrum that is used to make some insecticides.)
Group plants strategically
If you group together the plants that demand more watering in one section of your garden, and drought-resistant plants in another, you can more easily distribute a minimal amount of water effectively.
It's also smart to plant flowers that attract bees near fruit trees and other plants that require pollination. (Make sure to consider if they are going to be in bloom at the same time.) By grouping pollinating plants together, it helps keep the bees right where you need them.
Save water by mulching, using rain and gray water, and using irrigation systems
Mulch can be made of wood chips, sawdust, leaves, bark, and even newspaper. The layer of mulch around plants conserves moisture within the soil and prevents water from evaporating. It is also a great way to prevent weeds from springing up.
An easy way to conserve water in your garden is to use a rain barrel. Rain barrels collect water from your roof and gutter system that can later be used to water your plants. More sophisticated systems use pumps to move the water through a drip irrigation system.
You can also collect water from your kitchen sink and/or washing machine and recycle it for use in your garden. This water is often called "gray water."
Drip irrigation uses rubber hoses to directly water individual plants rather than randomly sprinkling water over a large area. Because water is directly targeted at the roots of plants, rather than wasted on areas where water isn't needed, water is conserved.
Some irrigation systems use hoses, called soaker hoses, with small holes that distribute water along the length of the hose. Because they distribute small amounts of water near the ground, there is much less evaporation than with a sprinkler system. You can make a similar hose with holes in it or buy a drip irrigation system.
Water only when plants are in need.
It may sound obvious, but by assessing your plants' water needs before watering can also help save water. By feeling the dampness of the soil and looking at other signs like the texture and color of the leaves, you'll get an idea of if you really need to water or not. Don't water right before or after it rains.
Control pests with beneficial insects
We all know that bees are important for pollinating plants, but there are other helpful insects that can help protect plants by preying on many common garden insect pests. They offer a safer, natural alternative to pesticides.
Fertilize plants naturally with compost
Food scraps, chicken manure, leaves, and weeds can be recycled and used to produce an effective natural fertilizer for your soil. In a compost bin, the food and garden scraps break down over time, forming a dark, soil-like material, compost, that is perfect for fertilizing your garden.
You can also make fertilizer from kitchen scraps quickly with a vermicompost bin. It uses worms to quickly break down the scraps.
Natural weed control
Rather than use a toxic herbicide, you can simply remove weeds by hand. It's best to try to uproot the weeds completely so that they don't grow back from the remaining root segments.
Mulch isn't only helpful for conserving water, but it also helps reduce weed growth. Landscape fabric or newspaper sheets can also be used as a physical barrier that prevents weeds from growing in certain areas of your garden.
Try pouring boiling water directly on younger weeds to kill them naturally. Salt and vinegar can also be used to kill off weeds, but be careful where you add them. They may also kill other plants.
Notes
To err on the side of safety, use the gray water on ornamental plants and trees. Also, be careful about the type of water you collect. (It's best to use biodegradable soaps and cleaners, and avoid using harsh chemicals like bleach if you'll be collecting the water for use in the garden.)
Ladybugs are great for eating aphids and other slow-moving insects in the garden like mites, scales, and mealybugs.
Beneficial nematodes are wormlike parasites that can help control insects in the soil. They aren't harmful to earthworms but will hunt and kill insects such as ants, subterranean termites, and various kinds of beetles.
Praying mantises help control everything from smaller insects like aphids to larger ones like crickets and grasshoppers. Keep in mind, though, that they will also eat other beneficial insects like ladybugs. While they can theoretically be used together, it may be more strategic to use them in different areas.
Green Lacewings consume aphids and other small pests when in the larva stage. The adults lay their eggs near infested plants so their young can feed on the harmful insects.
Pirate bugs are especially helpful against thrips.
There are numerous types of compost bins. Most are made of plastic or wood and have small holes in the side to allow for airflow. You can make one from pallets or garbage pails, or buy one. (Or, you can even just pile up the materials in a corner of your garden somewhere.)We add chicken manure, kitchen scraps, and garden waste to our compost piles. Each year, we work some of the finished compost into the soil where we plant our vegetables. Our soil is quite hard and clay-like, but over the years the compost has helped to make a much more workable soil. It also helps to add nutrients back into it.The advantage of vermicomposting is that the worms help breakdown kitchen scraps very quickly. That helps you more rapidly convert waste into fertilizer for your garden. On the other hand, the worms are sensitive to heat and moisture levels. So, you need to be careful about where you place your vermicompost bin. It should be kept out of the sun and in a covered location so that it isn't hit directly by rain.