El Niño is coming!
With a hot, dry summer forecast and possible water restrictions ensuing, now is the time to look at ways to create a sustainable, drought-resilient garden.
Here are methods of making every drop of water work for you.
- Improve soil health – mix organic compost into your soil to boost its water-holding capacity.
- Apply heavy mulch – spread a 75mm to 100mm layer of organic woodchip mulch across any bare soil to protect and cool root systems and reduce evaporation.
- Install drip irrigation – switch from sprinklers or hand-held hoses to low-flow drip tubes or soaker hoses.
- Less lawn, more landscaping – lawns need water, so think of replacing grass with permeable hardscaping and drought-resistant plants. Build walkways using gravel or pavers with gaps for ground covers so rainwater sinks in rather than runs off.
- Grow drought-tolerant native plants – these look after themselves once established.
Why these methods work?
Groundcovers help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) is fast-spreading with tiny white flowers. Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ is a unique mounding plant that creates a dense mat.
Drought-tolerant shrubs include bottlebrush (Callistemon species) with flowers that support birds and bees, and the very hardy silver-leafed coastal rosemary (Westringia).
A little planning now will save a lot of water later.
Read more stories from The North Lakes Guide print magazine here:
- In the North Lakes Loop: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Eco Eve: Living a More Environmentally Friendly Life!
- Podcast Review: The Pub Quiz Pod
- The Fox
- The Calm Before the Storms: What Jobs to Tackle Now
- Get Hands-On at Gaming and Hobby Expo
- Spangled Perch Leiopotherapon Unicolor
- Thank Your Teacher With a Thoughtful Gift
- Shop Local and Handmade This Christmas at Dayboro’s Artisan Market Weekend
- Northside BrickResales Pop-Up for LEGO Lovers
- Cows, Community and Castle Hill
- Old Clothes Given New Life to Help Kids in Need
- Moreton Bay Ecofest Returns
- Fast Cars and Family Fun at the Notta Grand Prix 5
- Community Event Shining Light on Local Food
- Farce Gets Up and Running
