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Water Wise Gardens
The concept of WaterWise gardens promotes the efficient use of our water resources, particularly in the back yard where over-watering frequently occurs. Use this guide to create your own WaterWise garden and see just how much water you can save! 
Avoid wasting water using these simple techniques Even during periods when water is in plentiful supply, it is a good idea to approach watering the garden from the viewpoint that not a drop should be wasted. It's possible to create a schedule of watering that is economic and efficient, yet doesn't make too many demands on your time. How much water does my Garden need The amount of water required by your garden depends on many factors. 1. The soil type – light and sandy soils dry out quickly, and therefore require more watering. Heavy clay soils hold the moisture for longer but don't necessarily allow it to reach plant roots effectively. Both soil types will improve if organic matter is added to help the soils texture and water holding capacity. 2. The style of garden - there are many hardy species of plants that require a minimum of water, however even native gardens will need additional moisture if rainfall is scarce during summer. A garden filled with Showy flowering shrubs and annuals will certainly require more attention than a garden of established trees and hardy shrubs. Lawns are also fairly demanding, especially during high summer when they will brown off without enough water. 3. The weather conditions - this obviously varies enormously, but there are certain areas that experience much higher rainfall and the gardens therefore need much less irrigated watering. Wind is an important factor too, as it can quickly dry out. Ways to reduce watering 
The most obvious way to reduce watering is to select plant varieties (See our included List) that require minimum water and to mulch the soil surface around trees and shrubs and on garden beds. Mulching acts as a protective layer between the soil and elements, helping to reduce drying out and surface crusting. It also helps to keep the soil from freezing solid during harsh winters in some areas. The garden that has been well mulched will probably require half as much water as one where the soil is exposed. A garden can also be trained to exist with less water during long dry periods if it is taken slowly. Beautiful gardens can still be grown if extra care is taken to acclimatise plants to doing without. A new garden, during the first five years after planting, will need plenty of water to get trees and shrubs off to a good start. Without the shade of established trees, garden beds will dry out quickly in summer but you will find that eventually, when trees and shrubs are a good size, the garden will take on a better balance and less water will be needed. Avoid creating garden beds at the base of trees that are going to grow very large, as the roots will compete for moisture with whatever is planted in those beds. Take advantage of the partial shade created by the ends of branches, rather than the total shade at base of the trunk. Also try to incorporate hedges as windbreaks into the landscape. By reducing the prevailing winds and providing a warm, sheltered environment, you will be creating a Microclimate that is more suited to the cultivation of many species. Watering methods Automatic Irrigation Systems Many people aim for a system of automatic sprinklers that cover every area of the garden and turn on and off automatically two or three times a week. If you can afford it, have a professional licensed Installer do the job (Potential public liability issues exist in relation to backflow prevention etc). Ensure a rain gauge sensor is installed to stop watering when it rains. There is tendency for garden owners to justify the expense of a fully Automatic Irrigation System by having it run every day (the investment in a quality fully automatic system by a qualified Irrigation Installer will be $ 1000 + for an average domestic property). Most local councils have some type of watering restriction, Brisbane City Councils; Odd house numbers can water Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday between 6 am and 10 am, 2pm – 10pm. Even house numbers and unnumbered Wednesday, Friday and Sunday between 6am and 10 am, 2pm – 10pm. Obviously any water is better than no water but generally speaking, ideal watering times are between 6 – 9 am in the morning for only 20 minutes each area. This allows time for plants to take up moisture that is needed, the rest to evaporate. Watering in the evening runs the risk of introducing Fungal diseases. Hand-held hoses While this is the most time consuming way of watering, it helps gardeners to keep in touch with their plants on a regular basis. In a large garden, watering by hand is really out of the question during hot weather but try and water at least part of the garden by hand every month. This allows you to examine plants as you go and keep an eye open for pests and diseases. The only disadvantage with hand watering is that you may only water the top layer, not deeper down into the soil. So make sure you stay in one place long enough to soak the ground thoroughly. Sprinklers There are many makes and models of sprinklers on the market, designed for watering different areas from wide sweeping lawns to narrow garden beds. The type of sprinkler you choose will depend on the area that needs to be watered and the water pressure where you live. Large sprinklers require good pressure to work efficiently, so if you're water pressure is low choose a smaller, simpler model. When placing a sprinkler in the garden make sure that the water doesn’t flow onto paths or driveways, but is being used effectively where needed. Sprinklers need to be moved from one part of the garden to another - make sure that each area is thoroughly soaked before moving it to a new section. The main danger with using sprinklers is that you may forget to turn it off. Use an alarm clock or set the alarm on the kitchen stove to remind you to move the sprinkler. Alternately invested a small timer that attaches between the tap and hose, turning the sprinkler off when finished. Never water the garden after dark, in many council areas it is illegal and adds to the risk of forgetting to turn the tap off. Soaker hoses These effective strips of plastic have tiny holes that release a fine mist of water spray. They are great for lawns and garden beds, providing a fine mist of water which soaks in very effectively, especially during very hot, dry or windy weather. They are also good for running through vegetable and rose gardens where plants need watering at ground level only. They are light and easy to move around. When to Water During warm or hot weather/Summer it is best to water early morning 6 – 9 am, a maximum of 3 times a week for 20 minutes per area. In Winter and colder climates water a maximum of 2 times a week i.e. Tuesday and Saturday or Wednesday and Sunday, early morning for 20 minutes an area. WaterWise Plants Although annual seedlings have been included in this list, we do not consider them to be a truly water efficient plant. To be considered at all in the WaterWise garden, annuals need to be restricted to key areas such as front entry beds, baskets and pots in visually important parts of the garden. Plant annuals massed together so that watering requirements can be accommodated. ANNUAL SEEDLINGS Calendula Coreopsis Dianthus Gomphrena Nasturtium Petunia Poppies Portulaca Statice Verbena Vinca Zinnia PERENNIALS Allyssum saxatile Anenome Aster species Dwarf Chrysanthemum Dianthus Mars Gazania Helichrysum (Everlasting daisies) Pigface (Carpobrotus) Salvia species Sedum (Stonecrop) Statice (perennial) TREES AND PALMS Native Acacia baileyana Cootamundra Wattle N Acacia longifolia Sydney Golden Wattle N Alphitonia excelsa Red Ash N Angophora costata Sydney Red Gum N Araucaria bidwillii Bunya Pine N Araucaria heterophylla Norfolk Island Pine N Banksia integrifolia Coastal Banksia N Brachychiton rupestris Queensland Bottle Tree N Buckinghamia cellsissima Ivory Curl Flower N Butia capitata Jelly Palm Callitris columellaris Bribie Island Pine N Casuarina glauca Swamp Oak N Cupaniopsis anacardiodes Tuckeroo N Cupressus sempervirens various Cypress Cupressus torulosa Bhutan cypress Delonix regia Poinciana Eucalyptus citriodora Lemon-scented gum N Eucalyptus curtisii Plunkett Mallee N Hibiscus tiliaceus Cottonwood N Jagera pseudorhus Foambark N Lagerstroemia indica Crepe Myrtle Melaleuca alternifolia Tea Tree N Melaleuca armillaris Bracelet Honey Myrtle N Melaleuca ericifolia Swamp paperbark N Phoenix canariensis Canary Island Date Palm Pittosporum undulatum Sweet pittosporum N Ravenala madagascariensis Travellers Palm Schotia brachypetala Parrot tree Tabebuia chrysantha Golden Trumpet Tree Tabebuia palmeri Pink Trumpet Tree Wodyetia bifurcata Foxtail Palm N TALL SHRUBS Native Acacia macradenia Zig Zag wattle N Banksia ericifolia Heath Banksia N Banksia spinulosa Honeysuckle Banksia N Beaucarnea recurvata Ponytail Callistemon citrinus Crimson Bottlebrush N Callistemon viminalis Weeping Bottlebrush N Doryanthes excelsa Gymea lily N Dracaena draco Dragon Tree Grevillea ‘Coochin Hills’ N Hakea salicifolia Willow leaved hakea N Leptospermum laevigatum Coastal Tea Tree N Melaleuca species ‘Snowstorm’, ‘Pink Cascade’ N Nerium oleander (Not suitable for southern states) Rothmannia globosa Viburnum tinus Sweet Viburnum Yucca species Silver Star LOW SHRUBS Native Anigozanthos species ‘Bush Gems’ Dwarf Kangaroo Paws N Coleonema pulchrum Golden diosma and Pink diosma Convolvulus cneorum Silver Bush Dietes bicolour Dietes Dietes grandiflora Wild Iris Geraniums Indigofera species Native wisteria N Lavandula species Lavenders especially French Nandina domestica nana Dwarf sacred bamboo Pelargonium species Citrosen-‘Mozzie Buster’ Pimelia linifolia Pink and white forms, Rice Flower N Pultenea villosa Bacon and Eggs N Raphiolepsis ‘Flamingo’ Rosmarinus officinalis Rosemary Salvia species Most forms of salvias Santolina species Santolina Succulents and cactus Various forms Westringia dwarf ‘Jervis Gem’ N MEDIUM SHRUBS Native Abelia grandiflora Abelia Anigozanthos species Kangaroo Paws N Bauhinia galpinii Cycas revoluta Sago palm Duranta repens ‘Sheena’s Gold, Alba, Aussie 2000 (potential weed in some areas) Eugenia zeherii N Euryops pectinatus Euryops daisy Grevillea ‘Ned Kelly’ N Grevillea ‘Orange Marmalade’ N Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ Helichrysum diosmifolium N Lagerstroemia species Dwarf varieties of Crepe Myrtle Leptospermum scoparium ‘Manuka’ Metrosideros villosa ‘Tahiti’ Plumbago auriculata Blue and white plumbago and ‘Royal Cape’ Portulaca afra Jade Plant Raphiolepsis species ‘Apple Blossom’ Rosa species Roses Strelitzia reginae Bird of Paradise Vitex trifolia Westringia fruticosa Native rosemary N GROUND COVERS Arctotis species Aurora daisies Brachycombe multifida Rock daisy N Dampiera diversifolia N Dimorphotheca species African Daisy Erica species Heath N Erigeron karvinskianus Seaside daisy Evolvulus pilosus Blue Eyes Gazania Treasure Flower Goodenia hederacea Goodenia N Grevillea obtusifolia N Grevillea poorinda Royal Mantle N Hardenbergia violacea Happy Wanderer N Helichrysum apiculatum Yellow Buttons N Hibbertia serpiphylla N Juniperus horizontalis Prostrate juniper Myoporum debile N Myoporum parvifolium Creeping Boobialla N Scaevola aemula Fairy Fan Flower N Scaevola albida Fan Flower N Ziera ‘Carpet Star’ N CLIMBERS Allamanda cathartica Bougainvillea All types and colours Hardenbergia violacea Happy Wanderer N Hibbertia scandens Guinea flower N Pyrostegia venusta Orange Trumpet Vine] Wisteria sinensis Wisteria GRASSES AND LILLIES Dianella species Flax lily N Themeda C.V ‘Mingo’ N Themeda australis Kangaroo Grass N Clivea miniata Clivea Crinum pedunculatum Crinum lily N Tulbaghia violacea Society Garlic Agapanthus species Agapanthus Lomandra longifolia Mat Rush N Liriope species Liriope How To Prepare a WaterWise Garden The Plan Before you start digging and planting your WaterWise garden, draw up a rough plan of it (no great drawing talents required!). This will allow you to be a bit playful and creative, as there are many shapes of garden beds to be done. Make sure the design fits into the overall scheme of your yard. The Right Plant For the Right Spot Not every plant likes full sun or full shade. Ensure that your plants will be suitable for the aspect and size of your new garden, and that they have similar food and water requirements. If you require further information visit our shopping section for full descriptions and Images of Plants. Dig It! A bit of hard yakka is required to make your WaterWise garden a blooming success. So till the soil (to about 200mm depth), with a spade or rotary hoe (for the technically oriented), and removed all weeds, stones, and other unwanted bits. The edge to the garden can be simply spaded, or you can construct a proper mowing edge, or use logs…. Food and Water Like people, plants need food and water to survive and thrive. Lots of organic matter, like compost or manure, enriches the soil and makes the plants grow big and healthy. For additional food boost you can also rake in some slow release fertiliser. Of course, this is to be a WaterWise garden, and part of the secret to this is water crystals – rake them lightly into the soil in the required quantity. The other part to the WaterWise secret is moisture retaining mulch: cover the entire planting bed with 100mm depth of sugar cane mulch. Planting time! Now that the soil is beautifully prepared, lush and full of nutrients for the new plants, it’s time to give them a fixed address. They like to be well watered in, straight after planting, and for the first eight weeks, give them a weekly watering. From now on, the garden will rely on natural rainfall only, (to justify the WaterWise philosophy…) SIX HABITS OF A WATER EFFICIENT GARDEN
PRACTICAL WATERWISE GARDENING LAWNS During times of warm weather, raise the cutting height of your mower to at least 1" (25mm) or higher. Allow lawns to dry out during times of drought as they are one of the highest water consumers in the gardens. When considering planting a new lawn, look at all alternatives available. Ie use groundcovers, or mulches. Reduce the lawn area you are going to use in your garden. Choose grass species which have drought and heat tolerance, and preparing seed beds, ensure a depth of top soil no less than 2.5" – 60mm deep. Trees and Shrubs Trees and shrubs may be watered more efficiently by installing pipe or hose, vertically into the ground, which water can be done by filling the pipe etc. Another possible method is the drip and micro irrigation systems. Also ensure plants are adequately mulched. Vegetable Gardens Mulch your garden to conserve water and enrich the soil with organic matter. Types of mulches which may be used on vegetable gardens include various types of straw, compost, and decomposed animal manure, leaves – check with your nursery. A dripper system is an effective and efficient method of watering vegetable gardens and also reduces the risk of powdery mildew on certain varieties of vegetables. Plant Grouping Plant your garden according to your plant’s water requirements. EG. Plants requiring little or no water during the summer months should be planted together and vice versa. Potted Plants Potted plants should also be mulched to prevent the pot drying out. Most types of mulching materials would be suitable for this purpose. Terracotta and concrete pots are porous and therefore allow water to evaporate. This can be solved by sealing the inside of the pot with a suitable waterproofing paint. Pot plants which have been allowed to dry out can be effectively watered by filling a tub or a bath with water just below the height of the pot. Place the pot in the water and allow to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pot allowing excess water to drain in the tub. Water soluble fertiliser may also be added to the water and is an effective method of fertilising pot plants. Hand Watering The highest use of water, so fit a water gun with a trigger action shut-off to your hose. This will prevent wastage when moving from area to area. Annual Plants Annual plants traditionally are not mulched, however, in this dry climate, mulching is an effective method of conserving water and reducing the need for weeding. Drip Irrigation Dripper systems are still one of the most efficient and effective ways of watering the garden. ã Copyright 2001 Plants International .com .au Pty Ltd. |
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