Waterwise Design Ideas
Presenter: Trevor Cochrane
Episode: #15 28/07/07
It seems strange to be thinking water conservation in the middle of winter it is raining for goodness sakes. But now is the time you can do something to make a huge difference as to the amount of water your garden consumes this spring and summer. One of the most critical things to do is consider the gardens design and the garden that Trevor is in designed by Anna Chandler is a classic example of great waterwise garden design.
Anna’s garden combines hard scape design that reduces water requirements and careful plant selection to minimise the draw during hot summer days. The design minimises lawn and replaces it with gravel pathways winding through the small garden.
Garden beds are raised and filled with enriched organic soils that hold moisture longer nurturing root growth in a medium that is also rich in nutrients and this provides the best environment for optimum growth results. The plant selection is interesting and provides diversity and therefore interest for the visitor, a problem with some designs these days that have become almost sterile in appearance due to similar plant look, colour and selection
The garden utilizes direct delivery watering systems. This means the water is delivered in a direct way to the root ball. It reduces the level of evaporation traditional systems experience and allows for more consistent moisture levels in the soils surface, something that is critical to sustained growth patterns.
Redesigning your garden now can make the world of difference to your gardens consumption levels this summer. Even if you only implement a couple of these strategies during winter you will be making a positive move for yourself, the community and the environment as we all have to come to terms with being smarter with the water we use.
Episode: #15 28/07/07
It seems strange to be thinking water conservation in the middle of winter it is raining for goodness sakes. But now is the time you can do something to make a huge difference as to the amount of water your garden consumes this spring and summer. One of the most critical things to do is consider the gardens design and the garden that Trevor is in designed by Anna Chandler is a classic example of great waterwise garden design.
Anna’s garden combines hard scape design that reduces water requirements and careful plant selection to minimise the draw during hot summer days. The design minimises lawn and replaces it with gravel pathways winding through the small garden.
Garden beds are raised and filled with enriched organic soils that hold moisture longer nurturing root growth in a medium that is also rich in nutrients and this provides the best environment for optimum growth results. The plant selection is interesting and provides diversity and therefore interest for the visitor, a problem with some designs these days that have become almost sterile in appearance due to similar plant look, colour and selection
The garden utilizes direct delivery watering systems. This means the water is delivered in a direct way to the root ball. It reduces the level of evaporation traditional systems experience and allows for more consistent moisture levels in the soils surface, something that is critical to sustained growth patterns.
Redesigning your garden now can make the world of difference to your gardens consumption levels this summer. Even if you only implement a couple of these strategies during winter you will be making a positive move for yourself, the community and the environment as we all have to come to terms with being smarter with the water we use.
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