A water-wise garden need not be a drab and dry affair

The government estimates that around 40 per cent of water used in the home is used for outdoor purposes — whether that’s watering the garden, topping up the pool or hosing down the driveway. Living in a drought-prone country like Australia we are all well aware of water restrictions and the need to use this precious resource wisely. But how can you have the garden of your dreams and still use water in a responsible way?

There are plenty of things you can do — as well as buy and install — to keep your water consumption down. Water-wise gardening practices can make all the difference, and combining these with products such as timers, efficient irrigation systems and grey water recycling is the way to go.

Watering systems

Computerised or programmable watering systems are highly efficient when installed and used properly — plus they’re far more practical and eco-friendly than watering with a hose. There are highly sophisticated systems available involving drip irrigators, pop-up sprinklers, sub-surface slow-release irrigation and rain sensors, however cheaper and simpler models that easily attach to your existing sprinkler/tap fitting are also available.

The secret to these systems is the use of a timer — water release is set for a certain time (or times) of day, and for a certain length of time. This means that watering is efficient, and only done when necessary, plants are not flooded and the wrong parts of the garden aren’t getting watered. They take the hassle out of watering the garden and ensure maximum water efficiency. However vital to these products working optimally is that they are set correctly. In addition, the placement of the sprinkler or drip irrigators is vital — make sure you aren’t inadvertently watering a wall or driveway and that precious water isn’t just running off down the drain.

Even the most basic of systems allows you to have multiple zones, so take the time to programme in separate areas depending on the needs of that area of the garden. This is especially handy if you have planted hardier plants together and water-loving plants together — they have very different water needs.

If you don’t have a watering system installed and you water with a hose, you can still minimise your water usage by fitting a trigger nozzle. A running hose wastes water by watering things that don’t need it, whereas a trigger nozzle lets you only water where you want, when you want.

There are new and exciting products coming out constantly that offer water-saving options for every budget and range — from complicated irrigation systems to simple portable devices to attach to your hose or tap. Visit your nearest garden centre or hardware store to go through the options and find one what is right for your needs (and wallet).

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Grey water recycling

One of the best things to come out of the eco-friendly push is grey water recycling. These fabulous systems involve a tank and either a tap or irrigation system that diverts grey water from the house (from the washing machine, sinks, shower, bath and so on) for use in the garden. Tanks can be installed under the house or alongside it in varying sizes. They are surprisingly affordable and the long-term cost saving is significant — not to mention how much water you save.

Water-wise gardening

When planning and maintaining a garden, there are some simple measures that will save you bucket loads of water. First of all, choose water-wise plants (plants that need minimal watering, such as indigenous species) and plant beds according to the water needs of the plant — clump all the water-loving plants in one area of the garden for super-efficient watering (called “hydrozoning”).

Another easy tip is to only water in the coolest times of the day — before 9am and after 6pm. The main reason for this is that the sun causes evaporation from the soil, therefore watering at the hottest time of the day means most of the water is lost to the air through evaporation and doesn’t get a chance to seep into the soil and reach the roots of the plants. If possible, early morning watering is the best as it gives the water a chance to soak into the dirt and allows the plants to access the water throughout the day.

Another way to minimise evaporation, run-off and general water loss is to use a soil improver with a soil wetting agent in all garden beds. Finish it off by applying a thick layer of mulch (around 5-10cm). This locks in water, keeping the soil most.

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Rain, rain come again!

Make the most of what nature has to offer us for free and install a rainwater tank. They come in various sizes (and shapes) and can be installed everywhere from your roof to the side of your house. They give you access to free water year round and are about as eco-friendly as it gets. Check with your local council as many states offer rebates for installing rain water tanks. A 2,000-litre capacity rainwater tank (which is the average size) can save up to 26,000 litres of water every year. And you can increase water savings even more (up to 59,000 litres) if the tank is connected to the house for internal use such as in the laundry for clothes washing or to the bathroom for flushing the toilet.

Local by-laws

Most councils around Australia have water restrictions in place to some degree, or regulations stipulating the use of water in the home and could include things like washing your car, hosing your drive, watering your garden or topping up your pool. Check with your local authority to find out if there are any by-laws that apply to when you can water your garden and how. Heavy fines can apply, so it’s worth checking out.

Water-saving tips

• Instead of using a hose to wash down hard surfaces, such as your drive or patio area, use a broom and sweep instead.
• Keep your irrigation system well maintained — regularly replace any back-up batteries and check the programs often to make sure they’re working properly.
• When it rains, turn off or reset your irrigation system.
• Don’t forget to reset your watering system for winter. In most cases you can turn it off completely during the colder months.
• Replace worn nozzles and broken seals and always check to see if your hoses and irrigation pipes have any holes or leaks (especially if you have a dog who likes to dig or chew!).
• Set pop-up sprinklers and drip irrigators to water for just a few minutes less each day.
• Use a pool cover. It will cut down significantly on evaporation saving you up to 55 litres of water each day.