8 Water Saving Tips for your Garden

Get the most of your water by watering smarter and more efficiently. It's easy to save water and still obtain great results.

15 January 2014

1. Be water efficient whenever possible.  Wash your car on the lawn to water and fertilise the grass at the same time.  Car shampoos use phosphates similar to many fertilisers.
2. Don’t use water when another tool will do the job.  Use a rake, broom or outdoor blower to clean paths and driveways rather than a hose.
3. Ensure taps, fittings and hoses are not leaking.  One leaking tap can waste more than 2,000 litres a month*.  To check your home for leaks, turn off every tap and appliance that uses water, then read your water meter.  Wait 4 hours and read again.  If the meter has ticked over, something’s leaking.  Use good quality hose fittings, such as Hoselink, that won’t leak or break and waste water.
4. Only water your lawn when it needs it. If it springs back after stepping on it, it doesn’t require watering.  When you do water, a good soaking every now and then is preferable to frequent, light watering.  Thorough watering encourages deeper roots, giving you a stronger, more drought resistant lawn.
5. Water at the right time.  Watering your garden in the early morning or evening reduces water loss through evaporation.  Don’t put the sprinkler on if it’s too windy.
6. Choose the right plants.  Local native varieties and other water wise plants attract wildlife and need less maintenance and watering.
7. Mulching plants is key to retaining moisture.  As well as reducing evaporation and water run-off, a good quality mulch will also provide nutrients to the plants and restrict weed growth.
8. Rain is the ultimate water saver in the garden.  You don’t need to water when rainfall does the job for you, so make the most of it and be sure to pause irrigation systems.

 
 
*Source: http://www.sydneywater.com.au/sw/water-the-environment/what-you-can-do/water-saving-tips/index.htm

Using a sprinkler with multiple spray widths and adjustments ensures water is delivered exactly where it is needed. View Sprinklers

By using a tap timer, you can ensure that watering takes place at the perfect time to ensure maximum soil penetration without evaporation. View Tap Timers

 

N.B. This article has been written for Australian gardens. If you're reading this from around the world, we do hope you've found it a useful stepping stone for your own further research.

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