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Victorians love their gardens, a fact that earned Victoria the title The Garden State. However, water restrictions introduced in response to drought and climate change have forced a re-think of how gardens are designed, built and maintained. Water saving gardens involve greater use of indigenous (local) plants, native (Australian) or low water use plants, use of mulch, woodchips, river stones and ground covers to retain soil moisture and decorate gardens. Many traditional lawns are being removed or replaced with artificial grass although a wide range of hardy drought tolerant grasses are now available. Installing a rainwater tank or a greywater system for garden watering saves precious drinking water for household use.
What are the current water restrictions?
Stage 3a water restrictions in place now.
Why save water in the garden?
A water efficient garden will not only save water; it will save you money through reduced water bills and time through the need for less maintenance. Water saving measures, such as drippers, which direct water to where it is needed to the roots of plants, and mulch, which helps the soil retain moisture, ensure there is no wastage and no problems with runoff or erosion. In the bigger picture, saving water in the garden reduces the strain on this precious resource and saves the need to build more dams. garden. You can find information on drought tolerant plants, garden water features and different types of lawns, including synthetic turfs and various grasses from couch grass to buffalo grassHow green is your garden?
Download a 2 page sustainable garden audit that allows you to assess how sustainable your gardening practices are and simple steps to improve your performance.
How can I save water but have an attractive garden?
A waterwise garden can be colourful, textured and low maintenance. By planting native and indigenous plants you can have a colourful garden that attracts native birds, making it a more enjoyable, relaxing environment. All it takes is some careful planning and application of garden design principles used by professionals to create year-round interest. Careful choice and positioning of plants, improving soils, mulching and minimising lawn all help.
By using rainwater collected in a tank or greywater collected from your home, you can still have an attractive, enjoyable garden and valuable drinking water for household use. A dripper system will deliver water to the root zone of your plants, maximising the precious resource, while by mulching you reduce weed growth and evaporation.
How can I be a waterwise gardener?
There are many ways to be a waterwise gardener. A good garden requires a bit of planning, creativity and the desire to work with your environment. This can be achieved without creating additional work for yourself and without diminishing the attractiveness of your garden or the enjoyment you will get from it.
There are some fundamental things that you can do in the garden to reduce your water consumption and make it waterwise. They include improving the soil with organic matter, choosing the right plants, ensuring the water is delivered directly to the plant roots, using more mulch and maintaining your garden.
PDF fact sheet - what is a rainwater garden?
A raingarden captures the water, allowing it to seep into the soil slowly.