4 Water Saving Ideas For The Garden

A beautiful looking garden is difficult to maintain in summer when heat and humidity threaten to suck life giving moisture from plants. But you don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars using mains water to keep it healthy and blooming all summer long. There are plenty of different ways to save water and keep your water bill manageable.

1. Don't overwater

How much water does a garden actually need when the mercury rises? Maybe not as much as you think. Different plants have different moisture needs, Australian natives, for instance, require minimal watering. Before you turn on the hose, dig down a little to check how dry the soil really is. While surface soil can look dry, if the roots are damp you don’t need to water.

Likewise, turning on the lawn sprinkler every evening when you come home may not be necessary. Your lawn will grow deeper roots and become more drought resistant if you give it infrequent soaks.

2. Morning watering

When you water your garden is just as important as how much water you use. In summer, giving plants a good drink in the morning is optimal so they have the resources to face the heat of the day. If you water at midday, water will simply evaporate and not even reach the roots. Watering during the evening is also not recommended as water may sit on the leaves overnight and cause the growth of fungal pathogens.

3. Regular mulching

Adding a 10 cm layer of mulch to your garden soil around plants will prevent moisture loss so you won’t need to water as much. Organic mulch can consist of: grass clippings, chopped leaves, compost, shredded newspaper and straw. Other benefits of mulching include, strong healthy flowering plants, improved root growth and weed prevention.

4. Collect water

Using a small rainwater tank is one of the most popular ways to save water, and comes in handy in drought conditions or during council watering restrictions. Metal water tanks are available at Bunnings or if you want plastic, then slimline rotomoulded tanks are available in all shapes and sizes and are ideal for urban environments where garden space is at a premium.

Investing in a greywater recycle system can also maximise your water usage - over half of our household water goes to waste when it could be used on the garden. Save cooking water to use on your garden to lower your water bill too, plants love it because it’s full of vital nutrients!

If you’re looking to grow a water saving garden then you’ll need the experience of a local landscaper . They’ll be able to give you more information about the best plants to grow and water saving garden products. With the Bricks+Agent online community hub it’s simple, easy and free to connect with a local professional with the right credentials and best quote for you!

If you need help finding a local gardener or landscaper, then jump on th Bricks + Agent platform and post your job. It's quick, easy, and free!