Creating a Waterwise Garden
Creating a waterwise garden is one of the most efficient ways you can save groundwater without compromising on having an enjoyable green space for your home.
Preparing the soil is key to creating a sustainable garden. Mulch helps to keep the moisture and avoid weeds competing for nutrients.
Plants suited to our climate require less water, are low maintenance and will look great in any garden. Use our directory to find waterwise plants that suit our South West climate.
The Aqwest Irrigation Demonstration Station
Looking at the Station from left to right:
1. Dripline: This specialised poly line comes with built-in emitters that let out a little bit of water at a time. Extremely versatile for all garden types and can even be installed beneath your lawn. When installed beneath mulch, there is no chance of water loss through overspray or evaporation. Used primarily in gardens.
2. Gear Drive: This sprinkler moves back and forth on a rotating gear. The arc can be adjusted and fine tuned to prevent overspray and each sprinkler comes with a set of easily changeable nozzles that change how far the water is thrown. Used primarily in lawns.
3 MP Rotator: This sprinkler creates a unique rotating stream that prevents misting in windy conditions and the slower application allows water to gently soak in at rates that soils can easily absorb. Used in lawn and gardens.
4. Dripper: This drip emitter is designed to provide water to a single plant. Easy to install and maintain, they come in a wide array that provide different volumes of water depending on your plant's requirements. Used in gardens.
Sprinkler Run Times
Different types of sprinklers have different watering run times. Check out the table above to see how long you should run different types of sprinklers.
It's important to water only on allocated days, and either in the early morning or late afternoon as watering in the hottest part of the day is a major cause of water wastage.
By following these tips you are on your way to creating a healthy, waterwise garden that will also help save on your water bills.
