Water wise gardening: Create a garden that is both attractive and eco-responsible.

Initially there are a few simple principles to consider; thereafter the easy use of drought-tolerant plants takes all the trouble out of being water wise.

The main focus behind creating a water wise garden is to create one that is both attractive and functional whilst thriving on minimal water.

Did you know?

Outdoor water use accounts for more than 40% of residential water consumption and research shows great savings can be made if water wise gardening techniques are applied.

There are a few simple considerations to water wise gardens that include the proper preparation of your soil, effective watering techniques, the correct plant selection and ensuring the efficient design and layout of your garden.

Plant Indigenous

Whilst you can create water wise gardens using both exotic and indigenous plants, we suggest focusing on indigenous planting for your garden for several reasons, namely:

• They eventually maintain themselves even in poor soils

• Require less or little water

• They are evergreen ensuring your garden always looks lush

• Indigenous gardens create habitats for local birds and wildlife

• They are often a source of medicinal plants

• Encourage the support of our heritage and culture

Indigenous plants arose and have developed to especially cope with the dry local conditions and are much hardier than other exotic or non-native plants.  The biggest advantage of planting indigenous is the water saving so start saving money and contribute towards overcoming South Africa’s critical water shortage.

Soil preparations and conditions

To create ideal conditions for a water wise garden start by improving your soil.  In the same way that we treat our hair with conditioners to ensure moisture is locked in so too can we improve the condition of our soil by adding organic material such as composts and other similar soil conditioners to retain moisture in the soil.

The use of mulch around the base of plants minimises evaporation, maximises water retention and inhibits weed growth while protecting your plants from frost and heat.  Whilst on the subject of weeds, one of the most important gardening tasks is to keep your garden weed-free; weeds harbour pests and diseases and use up valuable water resources.

Watering techniques

It is important to note that the root systems of plants are what take up water so if you are installing a water irrigation system (or even for manual watering) it is important that drippers and sprinklers are feeding water to the roots of the plant and not wasting water on unnecessary parts.  Using an irrigation system that can be personalised to the particular watering requirements of specific plants can also save on unnecessary water wastage.

To test if your garden requires watering simply press your finger into the soil past your first knuckle; if the soil is damp it does not need watering.

You can also train your plants to be water wise by watering them for a little longer but less frequently to encourage deeper roots and in turn increase the drought tolerance of your plants.  Keep an eye on your plants for signs of how the plant is responding to your watering methods.  Ensure they receive adequate water, but remember people waste water, not plants.  Water your garden in the coolest part of the morning or evening and avoid watering when it is windy or hot; both wind and heat encourage wastage through faster evaporation.

Watering of lawns is one of the first things to be affected by water restrictions, so it makes sense to have as little lawn as possible if you want to keep your property looking beautifully green.  Replace unnecessary lawn with hard surfaces like pathways or pebbles or convert lawns into further planting areas using drought-tolerant plants.

Planting

It is important to know that indigenous plants must be planted in specific zones to use the water most efficiently.  Planting plants with similar watering requirements near to each other makes for easy and efficient watering.

Indigenous plants can also serve a variety of surprising purposes. They often create impenetrable barriers and block out sound for example, making your garden a haven of tranquillity ideal for your family to enjoy as well as a refuge for a variety of local birds and animals. Similarly they also make for effective windbreaks.  In coastal areas, for example, leave hedges untrimmed so they buffer unwanted gales.  By planting shrubs closer together you can also encourage their protection of each other.

Some indigenous plants also bring a wonderful perfume or aroma to the garden which appeals to one of most evocative senses.  With careful planning one can ensure a perfumed garden all year round.

With the huge variety of drought-tolerant plants available in South Africa – from local indigenous plants to plants from other parts of the world – there is no excuse not to be a responsible water wise gardener.

source:  Women24

Water Rhapsody

Have a Garden Rhapsody installed, and use your grey water in your garden.  This means you can have a green garden throughout the year, even with the strictest of water restrictions.