Projects
Saving Water in the Garden

Water is a precious resource – one that should be used wisely in the garden and never taken for granted.
Tips for growing a waterwise garden
- Grow plants that have good drought tolerance. Look for plants with small, hard or hairy leaves that have evolved in dry climates.
- Mulch around the base of plants to keep moisture in the soil. Organic mulch breaks down to improve the soil.
- Group plants together according to how much water they need.
- Wherever possible, replace lawns and garden beds with hard materials such as paving.
- Fertilise with organic plants foods (such as Dynamic Lifter pellets) or liquids.
- Improve soils by mixing in compost. This will help the soil to hold more water.
- Grow thirsty plants in pots where they’re easy to water. Pot into Terracotta & Tub mixand treat porous pots with Yates Pot-A-Seal before planting.
Tips for effective watering
- Water deeply to encourage roots to move down into the soil.
- Apply water with a wand or a water breaker. This helps it to penetrate more easily.
- Water into the root area so maximum moisture gets in where the plants can use it.
Tips to help water go further
- Yates Waterwise or Rainsaver Water Storage Crystals absorb and hold water. Dig them into the soil at planting time so they act as a source of extra moisture.
- Yates Waterwise soil wetters help water to penetrate the soil and get straight into the roots.
- Yates Stressguard reduces the amount of water lost through the leaves. Spray onto vulnerable plants to cut down moisture loss, and protect from sunburn, heat and wind.
- Yates Waterwise Peat makes an effective mulch and a natural water-storing soil additive.
Shopping list
- Yates Pot-A-Seal
- Yates Waterwise Soil Wetters
- Yates Stressguard
- Yates Waterwise Peat
- Yates Waterwise Water Storing Crystals
Waterwise calendar
| Autumn | Winter | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Use autumn leaves to make mulch and soil-improving compost. | Install new irrigation systems. Add water storage crystals to the soil where new roses are to be planted. | Apply soil wetters to lawns and garden beds. | Renew mulch layers on garden beds. |
Some popular plant choices for the waterwise garden
Grevilleas, bottlebrush, lavender, gazanias, strelitzia, nandina, bromeliads, agaves, echiums, kangaroo paws, rosemary, lomandra.
