Water-wise healthy garden fact sheet

What is a good watering?

• A good watering allows water to soak into the soil to a depth of about 15 cm.
• This ensures that roots do not climb to the surface.

Mulch to conserve water

• Mulching conserves water by decreasing evaporation and protecting the roots by insulating the soil.
• By adding organic matter to the soil (such as mulching) you can increase the soil’s water-carrying capacity.

‘Train’ your plants

• It is possible to condition plants to be slightly more drought proof by slowly decreasing the amount of watering. This will result in leaf tissue becoming a little tougher.

Know your Soil

• Clay soils absorb water a little more slowly than sandy soils so if you notice run off, turn off the sprinkler or hose for a while or reduce the amount of water pressure.