During summer, lawns tend to look a little browner and some plants struggle to stay alive as they run short on water.
With record heatwaves and high temperatures becoming more regular during our Australian summer, it is more important than ever to give your garden the best care during the hot weather.
However, you don’t necessarily need use more water just to keep plants and lawns green – all you need are some smart watering and reticulation tips from Looking Good Landscaping.
How Do Gardens Cope with Summer?
Many traditional gardens struggle with the heat of summer, especially as the warm Australian summer temperatures extend into autumn and the rainfall during winter is below average. Those gardens with hardier plants, usually drought-resistant or waterwise plants, will generally perform better during summer as they don’t rely on the same level of water as other plants.Why is Strategic Watering Important?
Surely watering plants at any time of day during summer is better than not watering at all, right? Well, sort of. Watering your plants, gardens and lawns in a strategic way not only ensures the plants get the most amount of water possible, it also reduces your water wastage! The summer heat increases the amount of water that evaporates from your plants, which is part of the reason the Water Corporation in Western Australia have guidelines around when to water on your rostered watering days. Follow our 10 watering tips below to help your garden thrive during summer.Keep Your Garden Lush During Summer with These 10 Tips
1. Stick to Rostered Watering Days
Each house has two rostered watering days during summer, where residents are permitted to water once on those days, either before 9am or after 6pm. This helps to reduce the amount of water homes are using on their gardens and reduce the amount of evaporation.2. Use Rich, Moisture-Retentive Soil
Using a good soil will ensure the water that enters the soil from irrigation or reticulation is retained, rather than evaporated by the sun. Between your watering days, your plants can use the water in the soil to grow, rather than struggling to find a water source.
3. Remove Weeds
To ensure your plants are benefitting from your diligent watering, you need to remove any weeds that are growing around your pots, lawn or garden bed. Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients, space, and water in the soil, so removing them is a great way to keep your plants thriving throughout summer when water is naturally more scarce. They can easily overtake your lawn and become the dominant feature.4. Plant Waterwise Plants
Planting waterwise plants reduces the amount of water your garden needs to thrive, which means if you forget to water on your rostered day, it isn’t the end of the world.5. Don’t Overwater
While under watering plants will cause them to struggle, it is also important not to over-water them. Over-watering of your plants may lead to root rot and soil compaction, which stops the roots from taking in oxygen and causes them to essentially drown.6. Use Cool Water
If you are using a hose to water, it is important to let the water cool down before you water your plants. The hot water from the hose could further distress your plants, particularly the more sensitive plants, by damaging the plant’s cellular structure.
7. Don’t Water Leaves, Water the Soil
Traditional watering methods, like hand watering, may result in only the leaves receiving water. For your plants to survive, they need to have sufficient water in the soil. When hand watering, apply water gradually to allow the water to penetrate the deeper layers of the soil, rather than soaking an area, which results in puddles and run-off.8. Ensure Reticulation & Irrigation Are Efficient
Broken reticulation or irrigation isn’t good for your plants or for your water consumption, as water is wasted when it dribbles from the top of your reticulation. Have your irrigation or retic in Secret Harbour and surrounding areas fixed by Looking Good Landscaping to ensure your plants are getting the most out of your watering days.9. Apply Mulch
Applying a layer of mulch around 50-75mm thick to your garden beds will help to reduce the amount of moisture lost to evaporation, resulting in less watering for your garden!10. Protect New Plants with Shadecloth
If you have recently planted some new vegetables or seedlings, it is important to shelter them with 50 per cent shade cloth for a couple of weeks to help them establish. This reduces the amount of water evaporated from the soil around your new plants and helps them to grow without damage from the sun.