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A new water-harvesting (WH) furrow opening technique, double furrow with raised bed (DFR), was compared to a popular technique [Deep Furrow (DF)[ under Mediterranean arid environment in Jordan. The two WH micro-catchments with 4, 8, and 12 m length of runoff area were planted with 1-, 2-. and 6-month old Atriplex seedlings. Sedimentation thickness and infiltration rate inside the micro-catchments, moisture regime in the soil profile, WH efficiency, plant productivity over 2 years, and ease of mechanization were evaluated. These parameters were employed in a new comprehensive and practical method for evaluation, and a simple method for calculating the overall seasonal WH efficiency was established. The implementation of the DFR technique, using a specially designed plough, showed a reasonable WH efficiency and better plant productivity at 8 m spacing. Moreover, it is expected that the formed sediments-free bed will allow for mechanized planting, whereas, the clear bottom will facilitate mechanical maintenance. Using either 1- or 2-month old Atriplex transplants resulted in greater plant productivity and guaranteed easier mechanized transplanting. Under Mediterranean dry conditions, the top 20-cm layer of the soil was unable to support the plant with water beyond 6 weeks without WH interventions. However, the investigated WH techniques doubled that period, and provided the soil reservoir with available water for more that one season. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.