Waterwise Gardens

Waterwise in the Garden

If we change our habits – just a little bit we can become WATERWISE and mkae sure that EVERY DROP COUNTS. Its easy to be WATERWISE, it can save money and lots of ideas don’t cost anything to implement.

Careful planning and good gardening habits can make a significant difference in reducing your gardens water needs:

Plan Carefully

select the right plants, group them together according to their water needs & create wind breaks.
Improve your soil – adding organic matter (compost or manure) improves the soil’s ability to hold moisture. Add a 20cm bed of compost before you plant.
Fertilise modestly – fertiliser promotes growth but also the plant’s moisture requirements.
Control weeds – weeds are water thieves.
Mulch generously – it reduces water loss by up to 70%, improves your soil & discourages weeds.
Prune shrubs – pruning after spring reduces the leaf area and reduces the shrub’s water needs.

Select the Right Plants

Choosing the right plants for your local climate can save water and your time in caring for them. There is a range of native and exotic plants that look great and thrive in dry conditions. Speak to your local nursery for recommendations on which plants suit your environment.

What to Look for in Waterwise Plants and Why:

Small leaves: Water-efficient plants have small leaves, often needle-like or rounded to minimise surface area.
Light leaf colours: Water-efficient plants tend to have light green, grey green or blue green foliage.
Hairy leaves: Hairs surrounding the plant’s pores act as a wind break and reduce moisture loss.
Tough surfaces: Water-efficient plants have tough, hard and sometimes waxy surface to their leaves.
Internal water sources: Water may be stored in many different parts of a plant, including the trunk, leaves and/or root system.
Deep root systems: Water-efficient plants develop deep root systems that search for water.
Protected pores: Plants lose water through small pore-like openings in their leaves. Water-efficient plants have fewer pores to minimise water loss. They may also have most of their pores on the underside of their leaves, protected from the sun and wind.
Strong internal structures: A strong internal structure that prevents wilting is a feature of water-efficient plants. This ensures they can survive prolonged periods of heat stress.

What do you do to be Waterwise? Let Wide Bay Water Corporation know and you could win a waterwise promotional kit.
So start thinking and send your entries to wbw@widebaywater.qld.gov.au or PO Box 5499 Hervey Bay Queensland 4655.
You can also drop in to our offices Monday to Friday between 8.15am and 5.00pm at 29-31 Ellengowan Street Urangan.