Plan a Smaller Garden. It's so tempting to plant all those bean or zucchini seeds in the spring, even though they'll produce enough food to feed the neighborhood. Take stock of what you really need to grow and don't exceed your calculation. For example, two or three hills of zucchini and cucumbers will easily meet the needs of a family of four. Check descriptions in seed catalogs for varieties that need little space and can tolerate dry conditions.
Space Plants Close Together.
Leaves from neighboring plants will shade the soil, helping to conserve surface moisture and reduce weed growth. Plant beans about an inch apart, tomatoes about 18 inches apart. Mulch Well Mulch prevents moisture from evaporating directly from the soil surface, and it can greatly reduce competition from weeds. Use whatever you have at hand, from black plastic to large flat stones and apply it when the soil is wet. Don't allow weeds to compete with your plants for moisture.