Ancestral Puebloans, also known as Anasazi, were able to farm without irrigation. They were able to cultivate maize, beans, and squash in dry fields known as "waffle gardens." These gardens were created by digging shallow depressions in the soil and building up the edges to create small raised garden beds. The raised edges of the garden helped to trap and retain moisture from occasional rains and snowmelt. Additionally, the Ancestral Puebloans utilized a technique called "floodwater farming," where they planted crops such as corn along the banks of streams and rivers, allowing the seasonal floods to irrigate these crops.
