Ways to Save Water in the Garden

Look for plants that are described as being 'dry or drought tolerant'. These plants will often have leathery, small or hairy leaves that have evolved in dry climates and can survive on minimal water. Drought-resistant plants include Australian native plants such as Banksia, Bottlebrush, Grevilleas and Westringia, Mediterranean plants like Lavender and Rosemary and many types of succulents. There are lots of beautiful water wise plants to choose from. Check out our list of Drought Tolerant plants.

Apply mulch around the base of plants to retain soil moisture, as well as protect the soil surface from harsh sun and drying winds. Apply mulch, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, over garden beds, vegie patches and pots. The benefit of organic mulches like shredded pine bark and wood chips is that they break down over time and add valuable organic matter to the soil.

Mineral substances, stones, pebbles, gravel and sand will not decompose and are used as permanent mulches in gardens. They're also called 'inorganic mulches' and can suppress weeds while still allowing oxygen and moisture to penetrate the soil.

Soil that contains lots of organic matter is healthier and can hold more moisture, so regularly mix concentrated sources of organic matter into the soil such as Yates Dynamic Lifter. This will help both improve soil structure and its ability to retain water.

Over time, and particularly during hot and dry conditions, soil and potting mix can become water repellent (hydrophobic). This can result in water runoff or moisture pooling on the surface and not moving down into soil or potting mix evenly and effectively.

To know whether your soil has become water repellent, the next time you've thoroughly watered the garden, dig a hole in that area to a depth of about 20cm. If the soil is moist the entire depth, then water is being properly absorbed and getting to where it's needed most - the roots. If the soil is still dry underneath, then the soil has likely become water repellent. 

With potted plants, in addition to water not soaking into the potting mix, water can also run down the gap between the potting mix and the pot wall, filling the saucer but leaving the root ball dry.

Use a soil wetter to break down the waxy, water-repellent layer on soil and potting mix and enable moisture to penetrate down into the root zone. Yates Waterwise Soil Wetters can be used on garden beds, lawns and potted plants to help fix water repellency and improve moisture levels in soil and potting mix.

Here's more information on How to Fix Hydrophobic/Water Repellent Soils.

Rainwater tanks capture water from your own roof that can then be used as an alternate water supply for your garden. Hoses and low-pressure sprinklers are ideal for connecting to rainwater tanks.

Automate watering in your garden and ensure your plants receive the right amount of water at the right time every day by using smart irrigation devices. To optimise water usage, look for irrigation systems that have programmable watering cycles and rain sensors. Some systems also incorporate a soil moisture sensor. Micro-spray and drip irrigation systems can be particularly efficient in saving water, as they apply water directly to the soil and root zone. 

Make sure all your tap fittings and hoses aren't leaking. One way to check this is to turn off every tap in your home, check the water meter, wait a few hours and then check again. If there is a different reading you will need to investigate!

Invest in good quality watering tools such as a multi-function trigger sprayer so you can control the amount and pattern the water is applied. Watering cans can be used for small areas or potted plants.

It's best to give your plants a deep drink early in the morning before the harsh midday and afternoon sun. Watering early gives the roots time to soak up the moisture before you lose it to evaporation. Be mindful of any rules that might apply in your area during water restrictions.

Plants also lose moisture through their leaves. In times of drought or during prolonged dry weather, apply Yates Droughtshield over plants in your garden. This specialised product reduces water loss from plants by up to 50% and helps protects plants from damaging environmental conditions including heat, drying winds, sunburn, droughts, light frosts and transplant shock.

From a glass of 'old' water to the water you use to cook your pasta or rinse your vegetables in – it all counts! Before pouring it down the sink, think about whether your plants might be thirsty and where you could use that water.

Keep a bucket in your shower to collect the cold water until it runs hot, that would normally be lost down the drain. You can then use this water on your garden.

Greywater from the laundry, bath or shower can be collected and used to water the lawn and garden. Click here for more information on using greywater.

When watering large areas, especially lawns, use a sprinkler that gives the best coverage with minimal wastage. Look for a sprinkler that will allow you to water the lawn and garden thoroughly, but also uses water wisely. For example, some sprinklers emit large drops of water, helping to minimise misting and effects of wind. 

Train your lawn and garden to have good water habits. Once the lawn and plants are well established, give a long soaking rather than a short, light watering. This will encourage a more hardy, deep root system, healthier plants and the soil stays moist for a longer time. Light sprinkling, no matter how often you do it, encourages shallow root systems and plants are more prone to water stress, as they can't access water deeper in the soil. Shallow watering also leads to the subsoil becoming drier and makes it difficult to wet again without a lot of heavy soaking.

Lawn TIP! When mowing, leave the grass longer than normal. Longer grass means a deeper root system, and the long blades shade the soil, which helps keeps the soil temperature down.

Sandy soils generally need more frequent watering than clay soils, as they're not able to hold as much moisture. Sandy soil in particular will benefit from regular additions of organic matter, such as Yates Dynamic Lifter, as well as using mulch. Whatever the soil type, try not to let plants reach wilting point before you water again, as plant health will suffer. 

When watering pots, you need to ensure all of the potting mix is completely moist. We recommend watering the pot using approximately as much water as the size of the pot, e.g. if you have a 10 L pot, use 5-10 L of water per watering session. Don't over apply or allow potted plants to sit in saucers of water (unless the weather is going to be particularly hot) and avoid over-watering plants, such as succulents, that prefer a drier potting mix. And don't forget to use mulch on potted plants too. 

Weeds are great competitors, and they will fight with your garden plants and lawn for every precious drop of moisture, as well as nutrients. To control broadleaf weeds in lawns, apply Yates Weed'n'Feed. To control weeds in garden beds, spot spray with Yates Zero Triple Strike Garden Weedkiller.  

Group your plants according to their water needs. Put the plants that need the most water together in one part of the garden. If you have just one plant with high water requirements in a garden bed, it will mean that all the other plants in that bed will receive more water than they need.

Over-watering or excessive watering is wasteful, it washes away valuable nutrients and can increase the chances root and plant diseases developing. A common mistake is to over-water in winter when plant growth rate is reduced (in the case of deciduous shrubs and trees, the plants are dormant.) Over-watering in winter often happens with summer-growing lawns like couch grass. If a plant is not growing actively, little or no water is needed.