Caring for the Catchment : What you can do

Tips for watering your garden
There are some very easy ways to reduce garden water use, without adversely affecting your garden. You can also save on the water bill and time spent watering.

• It is better to water early in the morning or late afternoon. Watering late in the evening can increase your chance of developing fungal and other diseases due to the water staying on the leaves for the night. Remember to water the roots of the shrubs and plants not the leaves! Toughen up the plants.
• Hand watering is the most water efficient method of applying water, as you have total control over where the water is applied. Drippers are also an efficient method of applying water.
• If you use manual sprinklers, consider purchasing garden tap timers, which are inexpensive and can pay for themselves in as little as one season.
• If you use automatic sprinklers, you should be aware that these often use much more water than other watering methods. Many automatic sprinklers are timed to be ‘on’ for much too long. If you water at night (recommended, to reduce evaporation losses) you should take particular care that your system isn’t operating for more time than necessary. And if you live in an area where there are strong night breezes, turn your system off when winds are strong. Also turn it off if rain is forecast – it takes just a few seconds and will save a lot of water.

NOTE:
While every effort has been made by the Adelaide and Mt Lofty Ranges NRM Board to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this guide, no guarantee is given, nor responsibility taken, by the Board for errors or omissions. The Board does not accept responsibility in respect of any information or advice given in relation to or as a consequence of anything contained here.

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