Being water-wise is essential in South Africa! Here’s what to do:
- Go indigenous, planting what occurs naturally in your area. Exotic plants often need more water.
- Identify microclimates in your garden and position plants in areas best suited to them.
- Group plants with similar water needs together so you don’t overwater less-thirsty plants while attending to the thirsty ones.
- Use mulch to stop moisture escaping.
- Build windbreaks to stop the wind from drying out soil.
- Replace lawn with ground cover or paving.
- If you keep some lawn, don’t mow it too short, as this lets the roots dry out quicker.
TIP: Catch rainwater in tanks, and use grey water (from baths and basins) to water plants.
