How to Save Water this summer
Episode: #27 1/12/07
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane & Neville Passmore
After great winter and good early spring rains the garden is off to its best start in years and just because we have had lots of rain doesn’t mean it is time to get carried away watering this summer. In fact now is the time to get ahead and bank some of that liquid gold and the easiest way to do it is to make sure your garden is waterwise.
Firstly, make sure your sprinkler system is working properly- ensure blocked and leaky sprinklers are fixed and that they are spraying on the garden.
If you have got one of those old fashion leaky irrigation systems it is about time to change it over. Then consider retrofitting wasteful systems with subsurface drippers or direct delivery sprinklers that don’t mist. And adding a rain sensor isn’t a bad idea as well
And remember to set your water controller to water on your rostered watering days. People living north of the line from Kalbarri to Kalgoorlie can water on alternate days and those south will be just like Perth has been successfully operating for years on two days a week.
If you are setting up new garden beds or planting new plants then make sure you’re massively enriching the ground with a composted humus soil improver. The very best is one produced locally called Biowise. It is fully composted and free of human and plant pathogens and rich in nutrients.
The plants you choose must be waterwise. Some are not and the best way to get advice is to visit the Water Corporation’s web site and check out the plants for Perth section which showcases the options available to look great and save water.
If your starting a new garden get a waterwise design from an accredited designer and make sure you have your irrigation system designed and installed by an accredited installer. Simple things like grouping plants by water use can save heaps of water.
Add a 100mm layer of mulch, and not any mulch, Biowise mulch is the mulch Trevor and Neville use at home for a very good reason, it works a treat smothering weeds and keeping moisture in the soil where it belongs. Now is the time to buy it by the truck load and spread it round. It is often the difference between okay and stunning plants.
Remember when you plant, add water absorbency granules into the planting hole. They capture moisture and hold it around the root ball.
And wetting agents are a must in WA. Soak your soil twice a year for best results. And not just garden beds, remember the lawn benefits greatly from wetting agents and they can save heaps of water!
For more information on what plants to use in your area visit the Water Corporation website: www.watercorporation.com.au
For more information on Biowise Mulch visit www.biowise.com.au
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane & Neville Passmore
After great winter and good early spring rains the garden is off to its best start in years and just because we have had lots of rain doesn’t mean it is time to get carried away watering this summer. In fact now is the time to get ahead and bank some of that liquid gold and the easiest way to do it is to make sure your garden is waterwise.
Firstly, make sure your sprinkler system is working properly- ensure blocked and leaky sprinklers are fixed and that they are spraying on the garden.
If you have got one of those old fashion leaky irrigation systems it is about time to change it over. Then consider retrofitting wasteful systems with subsurface drippers or direct delivery sprinklers that don’t mist. And adding a rain sensor isn’t a bad idea as well
And remember to set your water controller to water on your rostered watering days. People living north of the line from Kalbarri to Kalgoorlie can water on alternate days and those south will be just like Perth has been successfully operating for years on two days a week.
If you are setting up new garden beds or planting new plants then make sure you’re massively enriching the ground with a composted humus soil improver. The very best is one produced locally called Biowise. It is fully composted and free of human and plant pathogens and rich in nutrients.
The plants you choose must be waterwise. Some are not and the best way to get advice is to visit the Water Corporation’s web site and check out the plants for Perth section which showcases the options available to look great and save water.
If your starting a new garden get a waterwise design from an accredited designer and make sure you have your irrigation system designed and installed by an accredited installer. Simple things like grouping plants by water use can save heaps of water.
Add a 100mm layer of mulch, and not any mulch, Biowise mulch is the mulch Trevor and Neville use at home for a very good reason, it works a treat smothering weeds and keeping moisture in the soil where it belongs. Now is the time to buy it by the truck load and spread it round. It is often the difference between okay and stunning plants.
Remember when you plant, add water absorbency granules into the planting hole. They capture moisture and hold it around the root ball.
And wetting agents are a must in WA. Soak your soil twice a year for best results. And not just garden beds, remember the lawn benefits greatly from wetting agents and they can save heaps of water!
For more information on what plants to use in your area visit the Water Corporation website: www.watercorporation.com.au
For more information on Biowise Mulch visit www.biowise.com.au
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