Gardening with Margaret Matthews
Gardens of the future — less water, more imagination
with Margaret Matthews
It would seem that our leaders have finally woken up to the fact that the continent is doomed unless we are able to severely restrict the use of our ever-diminishing water supply.
The Australian Government and the majority of the states, including Victoria, are at long last attempting to devise a master plan to save the country from dying of thirst. It is fitting that ‘Old Man River’, the once mighty Murray, should be the first benefactor of the still evolving plan.
Individuals cannot always make an impact on important issues which affect the whole population, but in the case of water every single person can have an important input into saving this precious resource. Each and every one of us is responsible for using considerable amounts of water every day of the year, and probably more water is used on our gardens than for all household appliances combined.
The idea of doing away with our gardens is inconceivable, so how can we retain them and observe the new rules governing the use of water? It will require us all to rethink the management of our gardens, and to share with friends and neighbours ideas and practical hints, which may not be significant in isolation but when pooled together could make a worthwhile contribution to the water supply.
I have wondered for a long time why Victorians have been so slow to install water tanks. In other states, especially in South Australia where the mains water is brackish and virtually undrinkable, most households have tanks of varying capacity. The cost of a tank may be a consideration, but it will, in time, pay for itself many times over. The price of water will probably continue to rise above the five per cent already quoted, and a tank is a long-term acquisition that will prove an asset even in periods of low rainfall.
We simply have to do away with lawns. The permanent restrictions on watering them may help to hasten their demise, for in the past few years of low rainfall and some restrictions on watering, we have discovered that it is not possible to maintain green lawns in summer and expanses of dead grass for several months of the year may induce us to think of alternatives.
We have become accustomed to lawns varying from the patch of grass under the Hills hoist, where the kids kicked the footy and the dog chewed its bones, to the sweep of manicured emerald turf surrounded by lush herbaceous borders in the tree-lined streets of our most affluent suburbs.
A green lawn in summer will proclaim that a resident is not observing the restrictions just as clearly as if he were caught removing a wallet from someone’s pocket. There is no way to hide the act.
There is no doubt that at times many gardeners not only over-water their plants and sometimes water from habit rather than need. Mature trees and shrubs need little or no artificial watering. If they do appear distressed in an exceptionally dry period, give them a good soak with a hand-held hose (if current restrictions permit). Citrus trees do need a thoroughly good soak every two weeks in prolonged dry periods, but monitor the rainfall and only use the hose when necessary.
Many of our native trees will thrive without watering once established. If we find out where certain species originate then we have a clue to their requirements and can choose the hardy varieties that will not only survive but thrive. Rain forest plants are obviously not candidates for the new style of gardening we must adopt. Let them grow in their own environment where they are happiest, and pay them a visit when we holiday in their region. Instead of growing beds of annuals which require daily watering in summer, consider adding colour to the garden by growing them in containers. Not only can pots and troughs be placed in areas which need a boost of colour and replaced when they are past their best, but they require much less water.
The use of organic mulch to help the soil retain moisture is one of the most important methods of saving water. Mulch should be applied when the soil has received a thorough soaking. It defeats the purpose to apply mulch when the soil is dry. Also, do not mulch too heavily, or subsequent rainfall will not penetrate. Never allow mulch to build up round the trunk of a shrub or tree, as this can cause collar rot. There are many varieties of mulch and your choice will depend upon the effect you wish to create.
Recycling household water should be high on our list of priorities, but there are some rules and regulations to be observed, so make sure you don’t kill plants or pollute soil in your effort to do the right thing. Long showers, dripping taps and washing hands, cleaning teeth etc under running water are all to be avoided.
Do you remember the campaign featuring the slogan ‘Don’t be a Wally with water’? Perhaps it is time to take Wally to task again.
The future of our gardens will depend not only on the decisions of our politicians and conservationists make, but also on how we, individually and collectively, manage our own small plot.
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