Episode: #9 28/10/06
Presenter: Kim Syrus

Our Garden Gurus club members have been asking plenty of questions on how they can reduce watering but still keep their gardens looking good. Well, here are some great ideas for you to try.

If you are starting a new garden or even planting up an old one then spending time now, getting the soil ready, will be the greatest investment you can give your plants.

Turn the ground over, this helps break open the soil and make it easy for new roots to develop and establish. Add some compost, aged manure or organic fertiliser over the area and, if you have heavy clay, then gypsum is a good idea. Now, dig all this in.

To give your plants an even better start, add some water saving crystals mixed with a seaweed extract at planting time, These crystals will expand and hold water in the root zone making sure that the ground won?t dry out and your plants will easily find moisture.

Mulching is so important in all Adelaide gardens, not only does it keep soil moist, it slows weed growth and also reduces your water bill. There is plenty of different types of mulch, from bagged right through to bulk, there is even termite resistant ones.

Whichever mulch you choose, apply it evenly throughout the garden to around 100mm thick. Keep away from the base of plants as this avoids any problems with collar rot. Then, simply rake, to spread the mulch out evenly.

Even your pots can benefit from mulching. If necessary take out a little of the potting mix at the top to make sure the mulch sits properly in the pot and won?t get washed out when watering.

Next, try to arrange your pots together. Not only does this make watering easier, it also helps create a micro-climate that keeps moisture in the area and reduces water stress on your plants.

If your ground has trouble retaining moisture, then watering the garden beds often with a soil wetter will really help. It contains a soil conditioner, trace elements and even added seaweed to promote plant growth.

Mix the concentrate into a watering can then apply to the soil. This is best done in the cooler part of the day. After applying the soil wetter, follow up with a deep watering to wash the mixture off the foliage and into the ground.

Hopefully you can use some of these practical tips to help reduce your watering, while still keeping your garden looking as good as ever.

Now, don?t forget, if you have a garden question then why not join our online club.

Featured Products

Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food:

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Waterwise Water Storage Crystals

• When added to potting mix or garden soil, the crystals absorb up to 500 times their own weight in water.
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Dynamic Lifter Seaweed Tonic

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• Wetting agent improves water penetration, reduces water usage and improves soil structure.
• improves retention and plant uptake of essential nutrients.

Waterwise Concentrate Soil Wetter

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Hortico Termite resistant Mulch

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