Using water wisely in the garden

There has never been a more vital time to look after the garden without overusing water around the landscape. Follow some garden tips to ensure you maximise the garden appearance with minimum environment impact.

1. Keep an eye on those garden pots

Garden pots dry out quickly at the best of times; during summer heat, sometimes the soil and mulch only last a day or two before drying out completely. You don't need to give them much water - maybe a litre or so, depending on the plant and pot size - but try to ensure the soil stays a little moist all the time.

2. Using grey water

It's easy to harness all that grey water that would otherwise go down the sink. The rubber hoses with which you divert the water are available in most hardware stores, and as long as you use environmentally friendly detergents and soaps, you can channel the water out onto lawn or garden areas.

3. Digging trenches for landscape trees

If the trees in your garden are starting to look stressed from lack of water, consider digging a few shallow trenches in the earth beneath the tree. Fill these trenches with water as necessary, allowing it to seep slowly into the soil, enabling it to reach the root zone far below.

4. Watering a garden at the right time

It should really be instinctive for Australians by now, but some people still make the mistake of watering their garden at the wrong time. Early morning or in the evening are best, since the sun is less fierce and won't cause the water to evaporate before it can penetrate right into the soil.

5. Watering the garden soil

There's no point watering the leaves of plants. Focus on getting the water into the soil at the base of plants so it can go where it's needed - to the roots.

6. Get rid of those thirsty weeds

As natural survivors, weeds suck up as much water as they can. Try to eradicate as many as possible of these greedy and unwanted fiends from your garden, so all your precious water can go to the plants that need it.

Garden maintenance can be even more simplified by discussing all these points and more with a nursery expert in your area: