Like many Australian householders faced with the current water restrictions, you might want to consider a new landscape or garden makeover designed for better water efficiency.

Use these practical strategies to help you create a water saving landscape and help reduce your water consumption. You will also enjoy the associated benefit of a much reduced water bill.

Consider Overall Design Factors

Think about reducing your lawn area or possibly removing it entirely, since lawns are voracious water guzzlers. Instead, replace with drought-adapted or native grass species. Zoysia and Couch grass are well proven, hardy varieties.

You could also incorporate paving and woodchips as an attractive surface to cover large areas. Paving is easy to care for and will place zero demand on limited water supplies. You can decide between a wide choice of attractive colours will be sure to blend with any garden design.

Intersperse pavers with flower beds or ground cover plants can also add a softening effect.

Make Wise Plant Choices

Choosing plants that are suited to your soil type and particular garden conditions will ensure that they thrive and are not overly water dependent.

You can discover which varieties are native to your area and will grow well, from your local council. Once these plants are established they will possibly only need the local rainfall to sustain them.

Improve your soil if necessary. Test with a testing kit available from your local gardening supplies or hardware store. They are only a few dollars and instantly tell you the kind of soil you have.

The water-holding ability is important and you may need to add wetting agents or water saving crystals to help water retention. Water saving crystals form a soft gel that retains water and provides a moisture supply for plants in dry conditions.

Use Water Saving Methods

Use mulch as much as possible to prevent water evaporation. It also helps the water soak into the soil by preventing run-off. Before mulching, remove any weeds and break up the soil well. Give the plants a thorough deep watering.

Make watering times either early in the morning, or in the evening, to reduce water loss from evaporation.

Group plants with similar watering needs together to ensure that they receive the appropriate amount of water at the right time

Focus on watering at the roots rather than the leaves to ensure deep infiltration. Deep watering, but less often, is more beneficial than more giving frequent, short surface sprinklings.

By using these simple techniques you will be able to significantly reduce your water usage and benefit from an attractive, well-designed water-saving landscape.A quick consultation with a professional garden design company like Ocean Road Landscaping can make all the difference; they can ensure that you achieve a perfect layout and combine complimentary materials and plants.

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