Approximately half of all household water is used outside the home. There are several ways you can plan and maintain your garden so that it will need less water, but still be a thriving, attractive and colourful place to be.
- Know your rostered day/s and stick to the rules. They can change from season to season - find your watering day/s click here.
- Remember to only water once on your rostered day, either before 9am or after 6pm. Early morning is best as plants don’t absorb water during darkness and the plants are also charged with the water they need for the warmest part of the day.
- Don’t overwater on your rostered day/s. It’s actually a waste. Rosters are designed with our climate in mind. Every time we water we should water just enough to penetrate the top 30cm of soil, where the feeder roots are. Too much water will go to waste.
- Water efficiently by watering as close to the roots as possible – where the plant can use it.
- It’s easy to ‘set and forget’ your irrigation so it is important to continue to check that the system is working correctly. It’s also important to check your back up battery which it relies on when there is a power surge.
- Replace worn nozzles and broken seals and make sure you are not wasting water eg. water the garden and not the road.
- A waterwise irrigation system will not only help you conserve water but will also save you money on your water bill. To find out more contact a Waterwise Garden Irrigator to near you or visit your nearest Waterwise Irrigation Design Shop
- A good waterwise mulch can reduce evaporation loss by as much as 70%.
- Mulch will protect your soil, reduce weeds, reduce plant stress and will break down over time to feed your soil. What’s more – it improves the appearance of your garden.
- A good way to check if mulch is waterwise is if it hurts bare feet when you walk on it – it’s good mulch. Or, look for mulch with the Smart Approved WaterMark
- Remember to apply at least 5cm of mulch across your garden for it to be effective.
- The healthier the soil, the more drought resistant your plants will be – and the solution is soil improvement. Sandy soil, typical in WA, is very nutrient poor and does not hold water well.
- All you need to do is add organic matter and soil amendments and the difference is huge.
- The best soil improvers are those based on organic matter. Animal manures, worm farm residue, bagged soil improvers and soil conditioners are all good sources of organic matter.
- The easiest time to improve soil is when planting, when it can be thoroughly mixed with the top 30cm of soil. But you can apply from the top to an established garden. Just spread a layer of compost (about 2cm thick) and then cover it with a layer of waterwise mulch (at least 5cm thick).
- Lawns will also respond positively to organic matter. A think layer of compost spread over a lawn will encourage healthy growth.
- Check out the Water Saving Ideas – Soil improvement brochure to find out more.
- Soil wetting agents break down the water resistance that soils and lawns build up and allow water to penetrate to the roots.
- Apply wetting agents to lawns and gardens in mid spring and again in mid summer.
- Always water in wetting agents until they foam, which means they are activated and doing their job.
- To make the most of your wetting agent apply soil improvement and mulch!
- Choose waterwise plants for your garden. They’re perfectly adapted to our climate and require a lot less water.
- Visit the Water Corporation’s Waterwise Plants for WA database to find the plants best suited to your region.
- We have a range of brochures available on how to create different styles of gardens, go to the Water Corporation’s ‘Being waterwise hints and tips’ page to find one that suits you.
- When planting a new lawn, choose a lawn that requires low water use and is heat and drought tolerant. Warm season grasses such as Couch, Buffalo, Saltene or Kikuyu respond well to the hot summers in WA.
- It is best to lay lawn in the cooler months as it won’t need as much watering as in the hotter months.
- By growing a lawn longer you will protect the roots and reduce evaporation, so hold off from mowing your lawns another week or two during summer.
- Using a pool cover not only keeps your pool warmer and cleaner, it also cuts the evaporation rate between swims. During summer, it can save up about 26 buckets of water a day!
- With more than your entire pool’s volume of water being lost every year through evaporation, you can save water and money by regularly using a pool cover.
- Use a bucket of water when you are cleaning your car as a running hose can waste up to 2 buckets of water a minute.
- By washing your car on the lawn you will be giving your lawn a nutrient boost as car shampoos use phosphates, which can work like a fertiliser.
- Get a trigger nozzle for your hose or use a watering can and save water. A running hose can waste water by watering things that don’t need watering.
- Avoid using a hose to wash down hard surfaces such as your patio or driveway, use a broom instead to save buckets of water.
- In the warmer months up to 70% of household water is used on the garden. Installing a bore can help you save money but also help keep your garden green.
- Why not share a bore with your neighbour! You can share the cost of installing the bore and as well as save money and water.
- To find out whether a bore is suitable for your garden consult the Department of Water’s ‘Groundwater Atlas for Perth’.
- Look for this symbol and save. Waterwise Specialists have been trained especially to help you save water by providing specialist advice on waterwise products and services.
- Waterwise Specialists include Plumbers, Garden Irrigators, Lawnmowing Contractors, Garden Landscapers, Garden Centres and lots more. Check out the Water Corporation’s list of Waterwise Specialists to find a specialist near you or phone the Waterwise Helpline on 13 10 39.
For more ways to save water inside and outside your home, visit the Water Corporation