With water becoming a precious resource, gardeners are turning more efficient irrigation systems, water tanks, use of grey water, drought tolerent or waterwise plants and effective mulching techniques to keep gardens looking great. Gardens can be maintained in times of drought and here a few ideas to help you on your way.

IRRIGATION AND WATERING SYSTEMS.
Start by replacing existing sprinklers and sprays with a drip watering system. Replacing the spray heads with drippers is not an expensive job and makes use of existing infrastructure. You might even connect your new drip system to a water tank.

WATER TANKS
A water tank connected to the roof of the average home will provide enough water to help keep a garden going in drought conditions. However, if simply connected to a hose you will use about 1000 litres in one hour, so connect to a drip system, install the largest tank you can afford (and fit) and maybe a pump to provide adequate pressure.
How much water does a water tank hold?
A water tank measing 3.5m diameter by 2.2m height will hold about 20,000 litres, enough to keep your garden going for a while. However you can get tanks from 1000 litres and less to 250,000 litres and more.

Types of Water Tanks
Poly ( polyethylene) water tanks , metal tanks and concrete tanks. Poly tanks are the most popular in urban areas, with slimline tanks being popular as they can fit into spaces between the house and a fence.
Underhouse systems, these can include small tanks or more flexible systems that are like large plastic bags in a metal frame, great if space is a problem.

GREY WATER
Grey water is water diverted from the laundry or bathroom, water from kitchens is not suitable.
Grey water is usually suitable for ornamental plants, it is not recommended for vegetables and care needs to taken when using grey water on native plants. If using grey water make sure that you choose detergents and luandry products with low phosphorous, sodium and nitrogen content. Grey water should not be stored for more than 24 hours and regular watering with fresh water is recommended to help lessen salt build up.

MULCH
Probably the most important factor, without proper mulch all of that water you saved and collected will evaportate fairly quickly.
•Mulch slows evaporation and helps prevent the soil from drying out. Reduces watering by up to 60%
•Prevents weeds from germination (weeds compete with other plants for moisture)
•Mulch keeps the soil temperature constant and organic mulches adds organic matter as well.

How much Mulch?
2-6cms is a rough guide

What type of Mulch?
Organic Mulch includes, pea straw, bark, sugarcane mulch and many others.
Inorganic Mulch includes, gravel, pebbles and scoria.

WATERWISE PLANTS
Clivia, Velthemia, Geraniums, Gailardia, Rengtarenga lily, Cumquat, Native Fuchsia (correa reflexa), Californian Lilac, Statice, Lavender, Salvia, Crepe Myrtle, Rosemary, Sedum, Yarrow, Feijoa, and most Australian Natives.
FOR NURSERIES SPECIALISING IN WATERWISE OR DROUGHT TOLERENT PLANTS