# This Farmer’s Garden Survived a Historic Drought, Here’s How

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-lovell-show-6097608/this-farmer-s-garden-survived-a-historic-drought-here-s-how
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-lovell-show-6097608/this-farmer-s-garden-survived-a-historic-drought-here-s-how.md
Podcast: [The John Lovell Show](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-john-lovell-show-6097608)
Published: 2026-05-20T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/warrior-poet-society/episodes/This-Farmers-Garden-Survived-a-Historic-Drought--Heres-How-e3ji4kq
Audio file: https://traffic.megaphone.fm/APO4736943358.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-john-lovell-show-6097608/episodes/this-farmer-s-garden-survived-a-historic-drought-here-s-how
Duration seconds: 1893

## Resource

What if you could grow a productive garden in the middle of a drought — without constantly watering your beds?In this episode of The John Lovell Show, John sits down with Mike Herbert, a regenerative farming expert with 13 years of experience in soil development, organic farming, livestock, homesteading, and drought-proofing land. Mike has built a thriving family homestead using methods that seem almost impossible at first: hugelkultur beds, deep mulch, buried wood, swales, and water-retaining soil systems that help keep the ground moist even during dry conditions.John visited Mike’s property and was shocked by how much food his family was growing with far fewer inputs, less watering, and less dependence on the normal garden supply chain. From potatoes and ginger to livestock and family food production, Mike explains why many gardeners may be working harder than they need to — and how building soil the right way can make a homestead more resilient.If you are starting a garden, building a homestead, preparing for drought, or trying to become a better provider for your family, this conversation will challenge the way you think about food, soil, water, and self-reliance.In this episode:How Hügelkultur beds help retain moistureWhy buried wood can improve soil over timeHow swales slow down and capture water on your propertyWhy deep mulch can protect soil during droughtHow to grow food with fewer outside inputsWhat regenerative farming can teach modern homesteadersWhy food security starts at homeHow farming can build family culture, work ethic, and generational skillsMike Herbert is not a full-time farmer living apart from the real world — he is a builder, contractor, husband, father, and homesteader who has learned how to produce food while still living a full and busy life…

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## Transcript

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