(Some water authorities have a permanent ban on sprinklers and hosepipe's, please check before using them)
- Invest in a water butt.
These are easily plumbed into your existing gutters and down pipes and collect rainwater for garden or cleaning usage.
The average house roof collects 85,000 liters of rainwater every year.
That is up to 450 water butts of free water that you could use to wash your car, water your garden and house plants. This will save a large amount of money on your water bill.
- Hose pipes and sprinklers can use up to 1000 Liters per hour.
(that's more than a family of four uses in a day!) Use a watering can. Lawns do not need watering more than once a week and over-watering can ruin your lawn.
- If you have to use a sprinkler, use wisely.
Set a timer to remind you to turn it off, regulate the sprinkler to only water the area required and not to soak paths, driveways and surrounding areas.
- Water lawns and plants early in the morning or late evening.
This avoids loss through evaporation and plants/lawns watered in high temperatures may wither and die.
- Making a dip around the base of plants.
This can help ensure that you only water the actual plant and not the surrounding soil or weeds. Using washing-up water to water your plants will also deter Aphids from destroying your plants.
- Use water storing gels.
water storing gels are water absorbent crystals that you mix into you soil when planting, They absorb water a help to keep the surrounding soil moist.
- Do not over fertilize your garden.
This only increases the need for water.
- Cut lawns on the highest mower blade setting.
A closely cut lawn makes the roots shallow and unable to retain moisture and the sun will scorch a closely cut lawn.
- Use bark mulch to retain moisture in the soil around plants.
Bark mulch takes the brunt of the wind and sunshine that dries out your flowerbeds and keeps the soil below moist.
This not only helps to save water but assists in controlling weeds and it looks good.
- Choose plants carefully and plant similar species together.
Native plants, shrubs and trees (once established) do not need frequent watering.
- If buying an ornamental water feature, purchase one which recycles the water.
- If you have a swimming pool, invest in a new water-saving pool filter.
- When washing your car.
use a bucket as opposed to a hosepipe, or alternatively, use a commercial car wash which recycles its water.
- For cleaning paths, patios and garages.
Use recycled water from your everyday household usage.
- Remember Mother nature will take care of most of the watering needs in your garden.
You should only be giving her a hand and not doing the job for her.
