Gardening with Margaret Matthews
The garden in summer — saving water
by Margaret Matthews
Water is necessary to sustain all forms of life. In Australia, we cannot ever take it for granted that there will be sufficient water for all our needs. We are only too aware of the tragic consequences that can follow in the wake of drought, and we surely accept that our own private gardens come well down the list of priorities when our reservoirs and dams are well below capacity. But this does not mean that we cannot maintain and enjoy our gardens during periods of drought.
In the middle of summer, many gardens look dry and stressed. Forget about the lawn! If it is still green you have probably been a ‘Wallie with water’, to revive an old slogan. Be sure not to set the mower blades too low in summer; if the grass is cut too closely the roots will suffer. The lawns will recover in autumn when, hopefully, we will have rain.
One of the most important measures we can take to save water and conserve plants is to mulch garden beds. This should have been done in spring, when the soil is moist, but it can be done even at this late stage if we have the mulch ready to apply, should we receive a useful period of rain. Mulch can also be applied if beds are soaked with a hand-held hose first; it will do away with the need for frequent future waterings.
There are many different materials with which to mulch garden beds: pine chips, mushroom mulch, eucalyptus leaf compost, crushed rock, metal screenings, etc. Your local nursery will have other suggestions. Remember that fresh pine chips will need a dressing nitrogen and mushroom compost is very acid (ideal for azaleas and rhododendrons, but not for plants needing a neutral PH, or lime-lovers. Again, your nurseryman will advise.
Apply mulch 15 to 20 ml deep and be sure not to mulch close to the base or trunk of a plant, as this may cause collar rot. There are now preparations which help water penetrate the soil, and these are especially useful in clay soils.
Watering systems can be useful, but it can be fatal to rely on them completely. They need regular supervision, and can become blocked by soil or plant material, or dislodged by possums or birds. The old fashioned method of watering with a hand-held hose is still the most reliable way of watering and can be a pleasant way of relaxing on a summer evening. Watering with a hose or watering can is a way of ensuring that each plant gets its right quota. Established plants, including roses, need deep watering once a week rather than a light sprinkle every day, while smaller and less well-established plants need watering several times a week, depending on the weather.
Plants in containers and hanging baskets need special attention. There are potting mixes especially made for containers which hold moisture for longer than others. If you are able to install a watering system that is reliable and equipped with a timer, this would benefit your potted plants in summer, especially when you are on holiday. The next best method of caring for pot plants when you are away is to put a layer of newspaper in the bottom of the bath, and put the plants close together on the paper. This method would be acceptable for up to two weeks, but for longer periods ask a neighbour to become a ‘plant sitter’.
If you are planning a new garden or replacing plants in an established one, there are many plants that are drought resistant. All plants with grey or silver foliage are tolerant of long dry spells, as are succulents (many of which, coincidentally, have grey foliage).
Many, but certainly not all, Australian native plants are able to withstand periods without rain or artificial watering, but there are others that need to be kept moist through the year. A guide to a plant’s needs can be found by discovering its origin. Plants from the Northern Territory, the desert areas of South Australia, the Flinders Ranges and vast areas of Western Australia, are likely to be drought resistant, while those from the sub-tropics and rain forest areas will need to have these conditions replicated if they are to perform well.
Plants such as the oleander, from Mediterranean areas, will usually survive in any conditions. Victoria has a climate very similar to Greece.
No matter how severe a drought may become, always have birdbaths and shallow containers of water for the birds. Indeed, sometimes in very hot weather it is necessary to check the containers several times a day. Evaporation and birds having a vigorous shower can soon empty a birdbath.
Make sure that your hoses and sprinkler systems are in good order, and that the automatic timers are operating correctly and will not be watering for excessively long periods.
Gardeners need to maintain a good relationship with their neighbours! There is nothing to equal a personal inspection of your most vulnerable plants and of course you will reciprocate when they go on holiday.
I hope you, your garden and our reservoirs survive the summer. The key to this will depend on how we guard our most precious resource — water.
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