Gardens
During times of drought, we can still have beautiful gardens – it just takes some thought and a little extra planning to ensure they are water efficient.
Under High Level restrictions, you can now water your gardens with a bucket, filled directly from a tap, on any weekday between 4pm and 8am. Additionally, a hose fitted with a twist or trigger nozzle can be used on the weekends, as at the times below. No sprinklers.
Odd numbered premises Saturday 4pm-4.30pm
Even or unnumbered premises Sunday 4pm-4.30pm
By continuing to save indoors you can have some water left for watering your garden during the rest of the week. Greywater from bathrooms, kitchens and laundries can keep gardens alive. Use buckets to collect shower and kitchen water for your plants. You can also connect a flexible hose from your washing machine to divert greywater to your garden. Engage a plumber and first obtain council approval if you decide to install a below-ground greywater system (WaterWise Rebate applies).
Tips for water-wise gardening:
- Install a rainwater tank (WaterWise and some council rebates apply) and use the tank supply to water your garden, top up your pool or for other outdoor water uses.
- Mulch your garden regularly to maintain moisture in the soil and control weeds that compete with plants for water.
- Regularly check outdoor taps, pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks.
- Select drought-tolerant plants to reduce the water your garden needs (WaterWise rebates of up to $50 are available for drought resistant plants).
- Use water crystals in your garden.
- Before adding new plants to your garden, prepare the garden bed with good soil, water storing granules, wetting agents and thick layers of mulch to maximise water efficiency.
- Group plants in the garden that require similar amounts of water.
- Avoid watering when it is windy – wind causes water to evaporate and blows it to areas where it is not needed.
- When choosing a lawn type, choose slow growing, water saving varieties like Palmetto. They have deep roots for tolerance and they don’t need mowing as much as other varieties.
- Don’t cut the lawn too short, and remember that it will readily regenerate after a small amount of rain.