Water saving tips for summer

27 Dec 2023

When the hotter months roll in, it’s tempting to use more water to help our gardens survive the Aussie summer. Here are some ways to avoid water wastage.

Remember when Australia was in the midst of the Millennium drought, said by experts to be the worst drought recorded since European settlement? We couldn’t water the garden, couldn’t wash our cars and in some areas, it was highly recommended that shower times were restricted.

If we want to avoid that happening again, we need to be careful about our water usage. And just because it’s hot, doesn’t mean we need to use more H2O to keep our gardens looking fresh. Here are some handy tips on saving water through the hottest months.

The lawn

• Hire a qualified professional to install a proper irrigation system. The more effective the system, the less water it should need to use.
• Use compost to improve the quality of the soil.
• Remember to weed regularly. These weeds compete with the grass for light and water – if they’re not there, the grass gets it all.
• Never mow your lawn shorter than three centimetres. The higher height shades the roots and helps trap moisture.
• Don’t clean up the lawn clippings. These actually cool the ground, holding in the moisture and watering the lawn long after you’ve finished mowing. 

The plants

• If you’re choosing what to plant, go with native varieties – these tend to need less watering.
• If you don’t want native plants, choose water-wise plants that attract more wildlife and need less maintenance.
• Water the base of the plants, not the leaves.

General upkeep

• When washing your car, pop it on the grass and kill two birds with one stone – your car will be clean and your lawn will be watered and fertilised.
• Water your garden in the early morning or early evening. This way, the water will sink into the soil before it has a chance to evaporate due to the heat and sun.
• Don’t hose your walkways or balconies. Use a broom, rake or outdoor blower.
• Check your water meter. If the numbers are turning but there’s no water on, you may have sprung a leak.
• Install a rainwater tank and use this to water your garden.

TOP TIP

If you’re choosing what to plant, go with water-wise native varieties that suit your climate, attract more wildlife and need less maintenance.