Wise About Water
 

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Click here to view our top drought tolerant plants

Clarification from Moreton Bay Regional Council
about watering your plant purchases.

You CAN water your new purchases for your existing garden, including plants you have purchased to replace those that died during the water restriction period/drought.

Use a bucket or a hose fitted with a twist or trigger nozzle.
When planting, if you apply water crystals, Penetraide® and mulch,
you will guarantee the successful survival of your new plant/s. 

Please speak to our staff for the best way to use these products.

For full details on water restrictions/regulations please consult
the Moreton Bay Regional Council website.
(www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au)

 

YES YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT GARDEN USING LESS WATER!
Use these proven methods in garden beds or pots and you will save time and water in the garden.

IMPROVE THE SOIL...
Organic matter absorbs and holds moisture within the soil. Add compost, animal manure or other organic matter to help water to stay in the root zone for longer. The use of water crystals or wetting agents is also recommended.

CREATE GROUPS OF PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN BASED ON THEIR WATER NEEDS...
Placing plants with similar water requirements together makes it easier to get the right amount of water to different plants. Some plants naturally require less water than others. If you have some 'thirsty' favourites try placing them in one area which is less exposed and which is easy to water if they need it.

USE CORRECT WATERING TECHNIQUES...
Watering deeply but less often encourages deep roots and prevents disease (although some sandy soils may need shorter and more frequent bursts). Don't 'fairy water' the foliage – keep watering slow and low. To reduce evaporation water early in the day or late in the evening, (this is now mandatory in S.E. Qld), and don't water if it is very windy.

WATER THE GARDEN ONLY WHEN IT NEEDS IT...
Water plants only when they really need a drink. If the soil is damp or the plants look good, wait another day to water.

MULCH THE SOIL SURFACE...
Mulching cuts down water loss due to evaporation. Use straw, compost, pine bark, chopped lucerne or sugar cane. Mulch should be 7 to 10 centimetres deep and needs to be topped up regularly. Leave some space around the stem or trunk of the plant. Don't forget your pots!

PRODUCTS...
There are many products now that will save water and in a lot of cases, improve the health of your plants.
 - Wetting agents (Searles Penetraide) allows more of the soil to absorb more of the available water. 
 - Water Crystals store water and fetilizer in a jelly form near the roots of the plant. Organic compost and composted material of any kind dug through the soil greatly increases the water holding capacity of the soil.
 - Mulch - reduces surface evaporation and keeps the soil cooler and hence the applied water is able to soak deeper, where the plant can use it.
 - All of those plastic bottles we throw out can be used as cheap and easy drip irrigation systems (have a look in our vege garden)

Check out www.annettemcfarlane.com for a terrific, useful and informative gardening website from a local expert - and she's a really nice lady too!!
Here is a snippet from Annette's webpage with suitable detergents to use if you are recycling grey water.
Low Phosphorous/Low Sodium Products Include: Aware Environmental Concentrate, Planet Ark Ultra Concentrate, Trinature Herbal Concentrate, Eco-wise Washing Soda, Biozet, Lux Pure Soap Flakes, Aura, Envirocare Plus, Bushland, Earth Choice, Australian Earth Concentrate (according to independent research undertaken by Lanfax Laboratories NSW www.lanfaxlabs.com.au phone Sydney 02 6775 1157). Use common sense when recycling grey water. Grey water should not be stored. Apply it directly to the soil, rather than spraying it into the air or allowing it to come in contact with the plant foliage such as lawns. Only divert grey water when the soil is dry and the water can be readily absorbed. Never allow grey water to drain into neighbouring properties.  Use grey water around the garden, rather than concentrating its use in one part of the garden.

Check out some of the ways we save water here at Theo's.

Use a tub in the sink for washing up.

Another smaller bucket for rinsing

Rinsing water can also be used for washing and peeling potatoes

Buckets and tubs are then easily carried out to the garden for the plants

These are some of the water saving products we sell in store.

Cut the bottom out of 2 Ltr milk bottles, dig into ground close to thirsty plants, fill with water for slow deep root watering.

 

Theo's Top Drought Tolerant Plants

  1. Frangipani

  2. Grafted Grevillea

  3. Clivia Miniata

  4. Crucifix Orchid

  5. NZ Christmas Bush

  6. Allamanda (Jamaican Sunset)

  7. Xanthorrea (Grass Tree)

  8. Bougainvillea (Dwarf varieties)

  9. Loropetalum - China Pink

  10. Strelitzia (Bird of Paradise)

  11. Geraniums (all types)

  12. Cacti/Succulents, yukkas

  13. Bromeliad

  14. Furcraea

 

 

"How do you save water in your garden?  Do you have any tips or good ideas to share with others.  We would love to see your photos and ideas to share with others. Email us so we can publish some of the best ideas on our web page."



 

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 (This is the 4th time.)
Best greenstock display Qld Home & Garden Expo 2008, 2010

 
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Last modified: September 03, 2010