Marrickville Council strongly encourages the sustainable management of water by residents. As much of the water used in the home is used for irrigation of outdoor areas, one of the ways we can achieve significant water savings at home is to develop a drought tolerant garden.
Due to their shallow roots systems, lawns tend to be very thirsty. It is therefore recommended that large areas of lawn be replaced by mulched garden beds. If designed to run along the contour of the land these beds can capture stormwater runoff and are thus passively irrigated.
Native plants are adapted to the dry Australian climate and therefore require very little irrigation. In addition they are attractive, provide shade and shelter and have deep roots that assist in opening up the soil structure. Native plants attract a range of birds and other fauna, particularly if locally native species are selected. For a list of native plants that are local to the Marrickville area click here.
Many of the chemicals we use in the garden can run off into water ways. Be aware of the products you use. Many may be eliminated altogether by selecting safer, biodegradable alternatives such as organic fertilisers and natural pesticides such as Neem oil.
Mulch is an essential part of any drought tolerant garden as it increases the water holding capacity of the soil and improves infiltration. The choice of mulch will depend on the type of plants being grown. For example native plants will require woody mulch, whereas most vegetables and herbs prefer lucerne, sugar cane or straw. Free native mulch is available from Marrickville Community Nursery. Contact Council's Environmental Education Officer or phone 9335 2197 for more information.
The difference in the amount of water used by drip or low flow irrigation and a sprinkler is remarkable. By using drip irrigation the water is delivered directly to the root zone of the plant rather than evaporating into the air. If you can't install drip irrigation and must use a hose, buy an inexpensive nozzle from the supermarket that allows you to control the flow of water and never water during the heat of the day. Better still, consider installing a rainwater tank for irrigation.
Some people have suggested that the best way to reduce water use in the garden is to replace lawn areas with paving, however this is not recommended. By increasing the area of paved surface you also increase the amount of runoff from your property which has a negative impact on the health of our waterways. If you do have to pave, permeable paving can be an attractive and environmentally friendly alternative.
For more information on drought tolerant gardening in Marrickville contact Council's Water and Catchments Coordinator or phone 9335 2104.