WATER WISE

GLOBAL GARDENS has 8 Easy

steps to help you

Water Wise your garden

8 Easy steps to help you Water Wise your garden

or call us and we will give you a hand.

Water is a valuable natural resource in a dry country like South Africa. Water is also expensive. Below are some basic tips on how to make your garden water wise while, at the same time, preserving or even enhancing its natural beauty.

1. Plant indigenous plants
Indigenous plants grow more naturally without too much effort and use much less water to flourish and survive. Indigenous plants are not only water wise but will also make your garden more attractive To help you on your way, we’ve selected 12 indigenous plant species that are worth considering when changing your thirsty garden into a water wise, wildlife haven:

2. Make your own compost
One can make compost from almost any organic substance. Organic simply means anything that will decay and break down. Vegetable and fruit peels, eggshells, coffee grinds, used teabags, stale bread and garden refuse all make excellent compost.

3. Go organic
Stop using toxic and dangerous chemical laden pesticides and fertilizers. Rather use natural remedies to get rid of insects, ants and other garden pests. Find out from a plant specialist or nursery about plant types that serve as insect or pest repellents.

4. Save your rainwater
This can be done by collecting rainwater in a tank, rock pool, etc. This saves you money and is healthier for your plants than tap water.

5. Try hardscaping
Minimise your lawn drastically. Lawns take vast amounts of water to keep them green. Rather create an architectural paving feature that looks pleasing and is water wise. By doing this, you are already reducing your gardenâ??s watering requirements.

6. Try drip irrigation
Use drip irrigation at the roots of plants. Normal hosing wastes huge amounts of water through run off and evaporation. Mulch your garden as well as this retains water.

7. Monitor watering times for effective plant growth
Early mornings and evenings are the best times to water to avoid evaporation. Also, remember to group plants according to their water needs. Hardy and herbaceous succulent plants that require less water should be grouped together, as should flowering plants and shrubs that require more water. In this way watering can be timed appropriately.

8. Try alternate methods of gardening
An indoor or partly enclosed garden covered in shade cloth can work wonders in terms of water conservation and usage. Planting shrubs and flowers under shaded trees can also be useful. Create innovative and original ideas of your own. You may surprise others, even yourself, with some aesthetic beauty that can become a trend for others to follow.