Waterwise your garden

Step 1 – Choose hardy plants that cope without a lot of water. If you need some help with this then consider our online consultation service. We can help you make better choices for your garden.

Step 2 – Unless you are planting native species consider planting your exotics using water crystals added to the surrounding soil. This will ensure that any available water is held close to the root ball, helping the plant to cope through dry periods. If you are working with existing plantings then look for the liquid form of water crystals that can be applied using a water can. These products are a must have in these conditions & you will be surprised at how much of a difference they make.

Step 3 – Mulch, mulch, mulch!!! Yes you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it one hundred times but this is an essential step and more importantly is the product that you use. If you can understand that holding moisture in the soil is imperative, then mulch will provide the barrier to help this happen. When you use a mulch that actually decomposes quickly like hardwood mulch, a leaf litter mulch, sugar cane or alike, you not only provide the water retaining blanket to the soil but a source of nutrients from the mulch as it breaks down. The mulch also encourages the earthworms and all the benefits that they bring including additional nutrients from their excrement. In these dry times the total amount of product on top of the soil should not exceed 7cm so 4cm – 7cm of mulch is recommended depending on whether you are going to carry out step 4.

What about the weeds I hear you say!! Well one benefit of less rainfall is less weeds but if you can carry out the final step then you will reduce your weeds to a minimum.

Step 4 –  Apply a slow, acidic pine bark or chip to the top of the mulch. This layer is more for weed control and my clients often like the final look over the mulch. To ensure your plants perform well it is important not to apply these products directly to the soil. The acidic nature of these products will affect the ph. of your soil and in turn your plants will suffer. Always mulch with a fast decomposing product first and then the larger grade, more acidic products second and your garden will thrive!!

It is always important to remember to keep mulch and bark away from any timber structures or your house footings/slab.  Never put gardens up against your home.  Always install a 30cm gravel buffer to allow clearance for inspection for termites and have your home checked for termites annually by a repretable company.