Episode: #9 28/10/06
Presenter: Fiona Bruyn

When it comes to gardening using little or no water Fiona can tell you first hand how easy it can be.

Fiona lives on a property where the only source of water comes from a tank that catches water off the roof of the cabin and shed. By the time the house uses its share there is not much left for the plants and yet they still survive.

So she thought she would give you a few design tips that everyone can use when creating a drought proof garden, no matter wether you have limited or available water with restrictions placed on it.

First you should analyse your site. Every garden, even a small one, has microclimates. These are areas within the garden which are influenced by surrounding elements that include walls, trees and soil etc.

These microclimates will dictate what you can and can?t plant in your garden. For example a shade and moisture loving plant like Corydalis (Corydalis ochroleuca) loves protection from hot winds and full sun. In another spot it would turn up its toes and die.

Once you have analysed your site you can start to choose the plants.

Turf or lawn is a water guzzler. Some varieties require less than others but during a drought if there is no water they tend to brown off and weeds try to get a foot in the bare patches. Your lawn will probably come good when water does become plentiful but you have to ask the question. Can I live with a brown lawn until it does? Or should I use something that looks good all of the time.

Alternatives include a low maintenance mulch, pebble, pavers or groundcover plants. None of them will need mowing either!

When you mention the words ?drought tolerant? most people think native plants, but exotic plants like lavender are just as tough. It likes a well drained spot and will die if its feet get wet for long periods.

If you really must have your favourite plant in the garden and it is a water lover. Limit it to one or a couple and keep them close to the house where you can keep an eye on their progress during dry periods.

That way you can give them emergency treatment when they start to look thirsty and before the downward spiral to death.

Avoid planting during summer. Spring and Autumn are cool and your plants can settle in before the heat hits.

Irrigation in the form of drippers saves water. It goes straight to the roots and evaporation is reduced especially if you have mulched over the top. Remember all plants need regular watering until they can stand on their own and that can take up to 6 months or more.