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Saving Water in the Garden
Water use outside the house
- Sweep the path rather than hosing it down.
- Wash the car on the lawn rather than watering your cement. Make sure you use a
 trigger nozzle on the hose too.
- Wash the dog on the lawn as well
- If you have an evaporative air conditioner, direct the water run off (bleed) onto your lawn.
- Fix any dripping taps immediately – a tap that drips one drop each second will waste 30 litres a day.
Water Wise Gardening in the Territory
Being water wise doesn’t mean you have to compromise having a beautiful garden.
Here are some tips that can help you make the most of your water in the garden.
Plant selection
- Choose plant species native to where you live. They will be more tolerant to the weather conditions and attract more wildlife to your garden.
- Generally Australian natives are water efficient.
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 Think about removing some of your water hungry plants and replace them with water efficient species.
- Try to put plants with the same watering requirements together to make planning your irrigation system easier.
Watering
- Water the garden at night so less water evaporates.
- Always use a tap timer when watering so you don’t forget to turn it off.
- Install drip irrigation to water your plants, it delivers water directly to the roots of the plants.
- Do not water when it is windy.
- If you are hand watering, use a trigger nozzle. It gives you a variety of spray options and you won’t waste water as you move between plants.
- Understand how much water your garden needs so you don’t waste water.
Soil conditioning
- Good soil means better plant health and better water retention.
- If you have lots of worms in your soil, it’s a good indicator you have healthy soil.
- Use organic fertilisers in your garden to improve your soil condition. Talk to your local NGINT nursery professional about what you should use.
Mulch
- Mulch reduces evaporation and increases the water retention of your garden.
- As mulch breaks down, it also adds to the nutrient content of your garden as well.
Your lawn
- Don’t mow your lawn too short. By leaving it longer the roots will be shaded and less water will evaporate.
- Understand the soil conditions in your area and your lawns watering requirements so you don’t over water. Check with your local NGINT nursery professional.
- Don’t water your lawn if it has been raining.
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