Water-Saving Ideas to Implement in Your Garden This Summer
Gardening is a most fulfilling way to colour and beautify our living spaces, but it should also nurture and take care of our environment. As water scarcity becomes a pressing issue, it’s essential to adapt gardening practices that conserve this precious resource. With these practical water-saving ideas, you can ensure your garden thrives while minimizing water usage.
1. Hydrozoning
Hydrozoning is a strategic approach to garden planning that groups plants based on their water requirements. By allocating areas in your garden to plants with similar needs, you can optimize water usage and reduce waste.
Low water or 1-Drop zone: This zone should comprise about 50% of your garden and include plants that can survive primarily on rainfall. These plants require minimal watering, even during the hot summer months. Ideal choices include succulents, cacti, aloes and native shrubs.
Medium water or 2-Drop zone: About 30% of your garden should be dedicated to plants that need supplemental watering beyond rainfall. Consider using drought-tolerant perennials, ornamental grasses, and herbs like lavender or rosemary.
High water or 3-Drop zone: Limit this zone to 20% of your garden, ideally close to the house where watering is convenient. Use this area for colorful, moisture-loving plants like annuals, bulbs, aquatic plants, and lawns. Pots placed near patios or entrances can also fall into this category.
No water zones: Incorporate hard landscaping elements such as permeable paving, gravel, pebbles, or logs to reduce the need for watering.
Click HERE for an extensive list of plants suitable for hydrozoning, as compiled by Randwater’s Waterwise Group.
2. Lawn Sense
Lawns can be one of the most water-intensive elements of a garden. Adopt these strategies to manage your lawn more efficiently:
Reduce lawn sizes: Replace parts of your lawn with low-water groundcovers, gravel, or permeable paving.
Choose indigenous grasses: Opt for hardy varieties like Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda Grass) or naturalised groundcovers like Phyla nodiflora (Carpet Grass), which require less water and maintenance.
Water wisely: During the rainy season, water only when necessary. Deep watering encourages strong root systems, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
Adjust mowing practices: Set your mower to a higher setting during summer to keep grass blades longer, which helps protect roots from heat and wind.
3. Support Water Retention in Soil
Enhancing your soil’s water retention capabilities is key to reducing the need for frequent watering. Here’s how:
Apply mulch: A thick layer of organic mulch, such as bark chips or compost, helps retain moisture and reduce evaporation. Inorganic mulch like gravel can also be effective.
Let leaves lie: Allow fallen leaves to form a natural layer in garden beds. As they decompose, they enrich the soil with organic matter.
Use compost: Regularly add compost to garden beds to boost soil health and increase its ability to retain moisture.
Plant groundcovers: These serve as living mulch, providing shade for the soil and reducing water loss.
Add water retention products: Incorporate products like water-absorbing crystals or gels into the soil to enhance its moisture-holding capacity.
4. Smart Watering
Efficient watering practices can significantly reduce water wastage in your garden. Consider the following tips:
Use irrigation systems: Install systems that deliver water directly to plant roots, such as drip irrigation. Separate zones for each hydrozone to ensure precise watering.
Water at the right time: Early morning is the best time to water, especially in summer, as cooler temperatures reduce evaporation.
Avoid overwatering: Use moisture meters or simply check the soil to ensure plants need water before irrigating. Ensure that your irrigation system is fitted with a rain sensor.
5. Harvest Rainwater
Rainwater is a free and sustainable water source that can be harnessed for garden use:
Install rainwater tanks: Collect water from your roof and store it in tanks for irrigation.
Redirect downpipes: Channel rainwater from gutters into ponds or other storage systems for future use.
Create swales: Shallow trenches filled with gravel can help capture and retain rainwater in the soil.
6. Plant Indigenous
Indigenous plants are naturally adapted to the local climate, making them more resilient to drought and water scarcity. When planning your garden:
Focus on endemic plants: These plants thrive in the natural rainfall conditions of your region.
Use exotic plants sparingly: Ensure that exotic species are placed in appropriate zones and are not water-intensive.
Remove invasive species: Alien invasive plants can consume excessive amounts of water and should be replaced with native alternatives.
7. Containerise Your Plants
Potted plants are more water-efficient than those planted directly in the ground. Here’s how to make the most of container gardening:
Use quality potting soil: A good mix with high organic matter ensures better water retention and drainage.
Incorporate water-retention products: These can reduce the frequency of watering required.
Choose appropriate containers: Opt for pots with adequate drainage and consider using self-watering containers to maintain consistent moisture levels.
Group pots together: Placing your pots in groups helps to reduce evaporation, keeps plants’ roots cooler, and makes it easier to water.
8. Grey Water Usage
Repurposing household grey water can provide an additional water source for your garden:
Identify suitable sources: Use water from baths, showers, and washing machines (ensure it’s free of harmful chemicals like bleach).
Direct grey water wisely: Apply it to non-edible plants and avoid direct contact with foliage to prevent contamination.
Invest in filtration systems: These can help make grey water safer for garden use.
Water-wise gardening is an essential practice for sustainable living, and by adopting these strategies you’re not only conserving water but also creating a thriving, resilient garden that can flourish even in dry seasons.
Start small, make consistent changes, and watch your garden transform into a vibrant, sustainable haven. Together, we can build a greener, more water-conscious future—one garden at a time.
