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Planning for a water efficient garden can make a big difference to the amount of water you can save. So before you start digging, sit down with a pencil and paper and map out a plan for your garden.
Some points for you to consider:
- Create a microclimate - Plant drought tolerant trees and shrubs. These will provide a screen against drying winds and create cool shaded areas in the garden.
- Limit lawn – Keep lawn areas to a minimum, plant only where needed.
- Control weeds – Weeds need moisture and nutrients to grow and compete for scarce resources with plants and shrubs you have planted.
- Install micro irrigations systems – Install and maintain micro drip irrigation systems. These are extremely efficient as the water is delivered directly to the roots of the plant and not lost to wind and evaporation.
- Define fruit and vegetable garden areas – Fruit trees and vegetable gardens require specific watering particularly during hot weather and fruiting periods. These areas should be on separate watering systems to avoid over watering of non critical garden beds and lawns.
- Mulch, mulch and mulch again – you can use almost anything provided its green, leaves, straw, compost, grass clippings etc. Remember you will need to put down a reasonably thick layer in order to prevent evaporation and stop weeds growing back. A minimum of 50mm is advisable, 100mm thick would be better. As well as preventing water run off mulch breaks down over time and adds vital nutrients to the soil.
- Only water when required – Listen to the weather report. If it’s going to rain the next day, don’t water that night. If you do need to water remember the old adage ‘Water deep, twice a week’. A slow drip is more efficient than a big burst.
- Water in the morning or at night – Watering in the middle of the day – particularly on hot days - increases water loss due to evaporation. Also avoid watering on windy days as considerable amounts of water can be blown away in the breeze. There is little to be gained in watering your neighbour’s garden.
Remember water efficient gardening is about creating a garden which is low maintenance, lush and a delight to spend time in. A garden that takes advantage of natural rainfall while using a minimum of mains water.
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