What You Need to Know About Waterwise Gardens
What It Means to Be Waterwise
If you want to create a beautiful garden in Perth but are worried about water usage, a waterwise garden may be for you. But before you build your garden, you must first understand what it means to be waterwise. This way, you can create a flourishing, sustainable garden design in Perth.
Being waterwise means taking the necessary steps to conserve water in your garden. Because of the limited water supply, conservation has become vital, especially in areas with water restrictions like Perth. Being waterwise doesn’t just help save the environment; it also helps you save money by lowering your water bill.
Two main factors consume the most water at home: plumbing and gardening. Between the two, gardening gives you more opportunities to be waterwise. You can reduce your daily potable water usage by shifting to a water-conserving small garden design in Perth.
How to Make a Waterwise Garden
Building a waterwise garden may sound like a lot of work. However, it is easier than you think, especially in Perth. If you know the right tricks, you can build flourishing waterwise gardens. Here are some tips you can follow to bring your garden to life:
Waterwise Plants
The first and one of the most important steps you can take to create a thriving garden is choosing the right waterwise plants. You need to make sure the plants you grow can survive the climate.
Stick to native plants that are known to prosper in your area. You can also research tropical and hardy plants that can grow in Perth. Native plants are well-adapted to your climate and can survive on natural rainfall.
Organic Material
Any gardener will tell you that no soil is the same, and your garden’s growth relies on the soil’s quality. To ensure that your soil can support your garden, add organic material to the ground.
Soil is a collection of mineral particles mixed with organic matter. By adding more organic matter to your soil, you improve its texture and add more nutrients for the plants to absorb.
Mulch
One of the reasons your plants need constant watering is that the ground doesn’t hold water long enough. Either the water runs through the soil quickly or evaporates on the surface. To combat this, you can use mulch to retain moisture.
Mulch can cut down your water consumption by half. It keeps the ground moist, giving the roots enough water to absorb. With mulch, you won’t have to keep watering your plants.
Root Zone
Most of the time, gardening requires plenty of water because most of the water doesn’t always get to the root. It is often sprayed on the leaves, evaporated, or spilled elsewhere. To ensure your plants get the optimum amount of water, the water must go straight to the root zone.
To do this, you could use a soaker hose. This gardening hose slowly delivers water straight to the soil for the plant to absorb. This cuts down the amount of water wasted and spilled.
Free Water Collection for Waterwise Gardens
The unfortunate truth is that water doesn’t come cheap. That is why it’s frustrating when you have to use so much water in your garden. To save water, you can collect rainwater for your garden.
Using your home’s gutter system, you can lead all the collected rainwater to a water harvester. Don’t forget to add filters to keep the debris out. If collected and filtered correctly, you can use the water in different ways like washing, bathing, and of course, watering your garden.
Reduce Space
One reason you use so much water in your garden is because of your lawn. Grass and turf require water to stay green and lush. To reduce your water consumption, you need to reduce your lawn area.
Reducing your lawn area decreases the space you need to maintain. There are different alternatives to your lawn; you can build a deck, a patio, or even a gazebo. You can do so much with the space without compromising your property’s aesthetics.
Proper Planning
The design of your garden should also be considered if you want to make it waterwise. Many external and structural factors can determine if you can build a native garden design in Perth.
Assess the area where you want your garden to be and check if there are things you can take advantage of, like shade and soil. You should also plan the kind of plant you want; waterwise plants in Perth are your best bet.