Perth summers are long, hot and dry, with watering rosters and regular heatwaves. Spring is the time to set the garden up so it gets through on less water.
1. Apply a wetting agent
Sandy Perth soil repels water once it dries out, so water runs off instead of soaking in. A wetting agent in spring helps water reach the roots, so every watering goes further.
2. Mulch garden beds
A layer of mulch about 5 to 8 cm deep keeps roots cool, slows evaporation and keeps weeds down. Keep it a little away from stems and trunks.
3. Check your reticulation
Run each station before summer. Look for leaks, blocked drippers and sprinklers spraying paths instead of plants. Set the controller for deep, less frequent watering on your rostered days.
4. Group plants by water needs
Natives and succulents need far less water than lawns, vegetables and fruit trees. Grouping plants with similar needs lets you water each area properly without overwatering the rest.
A wetting agent in early spring and fresh mulch before summer are two of the easiest ways to save water in a Perth garden. We check reticulation and apply wetting agent as part of our regular maintenance visits.