Gardens
During times of drought, we can still have beautiful gardens – it just takes some thought and a little extra planning to ensure they are water efficient.
Under High Level restrictions, you can now water your gardens with a bucket, filled directly from a tap, on any weekday between 4pm and 8am. Additionally, a hose fitted with a twist or trigger nozzle can be used on the weekends, as at the times below. No sprinklers.
Odd numbered premises Saturday 4pm-4.30pm
Even or unnumbered premises Sunday 4pm-4.30pm
Tips for water-wise gardening:
- Install a rainwater tank (some council rebates may apply) and use the tank supply to water your garden, top up your pool or for other outdoor water uses.
- Mulch your garden regularly to maintain moisture in the soil and control weeds that compete with plants for water.
- Regularly check outdoor taps, pipes and plumbing fixtures for leaks.
- Select drought-tolerant plants to reduce the water your garden needs (WaterWise rebates of up to $50 are available for drought resistant plants).
- Use wetting agents in your garden.
- Before adding new plants to your garden, prepare the garden bed with good soil, water storing granules, wetting agents and thick layers of mulch to maximise water efficiency.
- Group plants in the garden that require similar amounts of water.
- Avoid watering when it is windy – wind causes water to evaporate and blows it to areas where it is not needed.
- When choosing a lawn type, choose slow growing, water saving varieties like Palmetto. They have deep roots for tolerance and they don’t need mowing as much as other varieties.
- Don’t cut the lawn too short, and remember that it will readily regenerate after a small amount of rain.