Waterwise Gardening
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Creating a water efficient garden can reduce your water bills and running costs and can often require less maintenance. Water efficient gardens also use plants that attract native birds, making your garden a more enjoyable, relaxing environment.
Careful planning is the key to a water efficient garden. Generally, there are seven basic areas to achieving a water efficient garden:
- Planning
- Soil care
- Selection of plants
- Lawn care
- Irrigation
- Mulching
- Maintenance
When applied together these techniques can reduce water use significantly, however each technique on its own will have a significant impact.
Selecting Plants
Selecting the right plants for the garden can save on watering. Download a copy of Council's Sustainable Gardening in Frankston booklet to see which plants have evolved to handle our local conditions, or contact us for more information on local nurseries who can provide local plant species.
Mulch For Your Garden
Mulches, when applied to the garden can reduce evaporation from the soil by up to 70 per cent. Mulch, the natural sunscreen for your garden, also prevents weed invasion, keeps roots cool and aids insect and microorganism activity.
What is mulch?
Essentially, any organic matter on the surface of the soil acting as a cover is mulch, in the desert, rocks are mulch.
Mulch comes in all shapes and sizes. You can almost purchase mulch in as many forms as you can locations! Most local garden centres and nurseries sell mulch in either bags, bales and/or truckloads. It pays to do a bit of investigation on the type of mulch most suited to your area and needs.
Tips for mulching the garden
When purchasing mulch, be mindful of the source and treatment. Mulch that is not heat treated could introduce weeds and disease to your garden. It is best to choose an accredited mulch or supplier.
When laying mulch, the thickness will determine the evaporation and moisture retention. However, as a general rule, a thickness of about 3cm to 5cm is a good start.
After applying mulch, additional garden watering may be required to compensate for the moisture being taken up by the dry mulch.
Please remember to only water your garden before sunrise and after sunset to avoid evaporation, and also be mindful of current water usage restrictions.
Related Information
For further information
There are many sources of information on waterwise gardening. For example the Save Water Web site has extensive tips on creating a water friendly garden.
For further information please contact the Environment Department on 9784 1747 or e-mail environment@frankston.vic.gov.au