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M A N A G E M E N T
                                                                      Create Your
                                                                      Own WaterWise




                                                                                                  WAT E R
                                                                                                  S U S TA I N A B L E
                                                                                                  I N
                                                                                                  WAY
                                                                        Your contribution to
This brochure was developed by IPSWICH WATER
a Commercial Business Unit of Ipswich City Council.                     using water efficiently




                                                                                                  T H E
PHONE (07) 3810 6666
FACSIMILE (07) 3810 6731
VISIT OUR WEBSITE




                                                                                                  L E A D I N G
www.ipswich.qld.gov.au
EMAIL US AT
council@gil.com.au
IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL
PO Box 191, Ipswich Qld 4305
                                                      November 2005
Message from the Mayor
    Water is a precious resource which too many Australians take for
                                                                              Steps in Creating a
    granted. With an average rainfall of only 472mm per year nationally
    and 630mm in Queensland (compared to the world average of over
    800mm per year) and a highly unpredictable climate, few of us
                                                                              WaterWise
    understand how scarce water is in this country.
    Unfortunately most of our drinking water goes to waste. About 33% of
                                                                                               Design your WaterWise garden

                                                                              1
    all domestic water is either flushed down the toilet or washed down the
    drain. A further 50 to 60% is used outdoors in the garden and pool.                        Know your site
    It is time to get wise about water conservation.                                           The function of your garden
    At Ipswich City Council, we believe gardens can be beautiful and                           Zoning makes sense
    “WaterWise” at the same time. By creating your own WaterWise                               Planning for lawn areas
    garden or changing your existing garden into a WaterWise garden, you                       Plan for a water efficient water feature
    will be making a responsible choice to help conserve our precious water                    Plan an efficient watering system
    supplies.
    I invite you to look through the WaterWise Gardening guide before you
                                                                                               Do the groundwork

                                                                              2
    begin your next gardening project. You'll find lots of helpful tips and
    resources which we trust will be an inspiration to you to become                           Know your soil
    conscious of the value of water and how to use it wisely.                                  Improve your soil
                                                                                               Composting and worm farming
    Happy gardening!
                                                                                               Choose your plants
    Cr Paul Pisasale                                                                           Recognising water efficient plants
    Mayor of the City of Ipswich



                                                                              3                Water Wisely
                                                                                               Water at the right time
                                                                                               Water deeply but less often


                                                                                               Maintain your WaterWise garden
                                                                                               Checking your irrigation system


                                                                              4                Replenish your soil
                                                                                               Pest control
                                                                                               Pruning
                                                                                               Mulching
                                                                                               Free Tree Program

1                      LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT        LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT             2
1                    Design Your WaterWise
    Know your site                                                                     The function of your garden
    If you are planning a new garden, the more water wise you make it from the         Decide which areas of the garden to select for your different needs, such as:
    start, the easier and less expensive it will be to keep it beautiful. An
                                                                                       •   Entertaining                         • Wildlife habitat
    established garden can also be made water wise with a little effort and
                                                                                       •   Play or sports                       • Erosion or climate control
    thought.                                                                           •   Vegetable gardening                  • In addition, where are the most
                                                                                       •   A swimming pool or water feature       appropriate places for paths or
    Paying attention to your garden’s unique characteristics will help you to select
                                                                                       •   A space for quite contemplation        walkways to the house?
    the right plants for the right place. So, find out the following information by
    looking around your garden:                                                        It has been estimated that many gardeners use about twice as much water in
                                                                                       their landscapes as is needed. In most gardens, the amount of water used
    • Where are the sunniest areas? How long does the sun shine there each             can be reduced without creating serious plant problems. In a dry climate
      day? Are some areas sunny in the morning but shaded in the afternoon?            water-efficient landscaping does not mean using only desert plants. It means
                                                                                       making an existing landscape or garden more water efficient or developing a
      Make notes of areas that receive sun in the afternoon, as these areas tend
                                                                                       new site with low water needs.
      to be hot. The western side of your home will be particularly hot in the
      afternoon.
    • Where is the shadiest area? Is there dense shading all day, or is there
                                                                                       Zoning makes sense
      some sunlight?                                                                   A good idea is to concentrate on plants that are adaptable to the site, rather
    • Does your garden experience frost in winter? Your north facing side of           than change existing conditions in the garden to suit the plants. Local native
      your home will be warmer.                                                        plants are ideal, as well as plants from similar climates throughout the world.
    • Do you have any slopes? How steep? Can these slopes be used to channel
                                                                                       The main principle of a water wise garden is to group plants with similar
      water for water harvesting?                                                      water requirements in the same beds. Place plants that need regular
    • Are there any spots where drainage is a problem? Is the soil damp or             watering, such as roses, in an area with other high water users and group
      boggy?                                                                           plants that need watering less frequently – for example, once a month – in a
    • Is wind a problem? From which direction does it come?                            different area of the garden.
    • Are there any views you’d like to enhance or screen?                             Group shade-loving plants together in a shady area of the garden and sun-
                                                                                       loving plants where they will receive maximum sunlight.



3                           LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT            LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                   4
HIGH                 MODERATE              LOW                    NO                Plan for a water efficient water feature
     Water-use zone       Water-use zone        Water-use zone         Water-use zone
                                                                                         In our hot summer climate the refreshing qualities of a tranquil pond,
     Lawns                Plants needing a      Plants that thrive     Hardscapes        sparkling fountain or trickling waterfall can add to the beauty of the
     Water loving         little more water     mainly on the          (patios, decks,   garden. If you take into account certain factors, it is possible to have a
     plants               than provided by      rainfall, and          walkways) and
                                                                                         water efficient water feature.
                          the rainfall in our   need little, if any,   established
                          area                  watering during        plants that can
                                                the winter months      survive on        Position:
                                                                       rainfall only     • Site your water feature where you will enjoy it to the full. One water
                                                                                           feature strategically placed in a focal area will be more effective in
     Container plants     May take              Established trees
                          advantage of          and shrubs.                                your garden design than several scattered around the garden – and
                          runoff from                                                      will also be more water efficient.
                          gutters and                                                    • A water feature in a shady or partially shady spot will lose less water
                          paved areas
                                                                                           to evaporation.
                                                                                         • Position your water feature in an area of low wind movement, so less
    Consider alternatives to lawn such as stepping stones, pebbles, sleepers and water
                                                                                           water will be lost to evaporation.
    wise ground covers.

                                                                                         Type of water feature:
                                                                                         • If your water feature has moving water, that is, a waterfall or fountain
    Planning for lawn areas                                                                of one type or another, extra water will be lost to evaporation.
                                                                                         • But if you choose a fountain that produces coarse droplets rather than
    Lawns are great for play and entertaining but they also need a lot of water
                                                                                           sprayers or fountains with a fine spray, less water is lost to evaporation.
    and maintenance. When planning your garden, think about how much lawn
                                                                                         • In addition, avoid extravagant high-pressure movement in fountains
    you actually need, and place it only where you really need it. Use instead,
                                                                                           and waterfalls as these have high evaporation rates.
    lawn alternatives such as decks, patios, containers, paving, attractive mulches
                                                                                         • Switching off the pump when you don’t actually need to see the
    or river stones. Many open areas may successfully be planted with attractive
                                                                                           fountain or waterfall is a water efficient approach – evaporation is
    and hardy groundcovers, while stepping stones can be used in the foot traffic
                                                                                           greatest during the hot midday and afternoon hours.
    areas. Ground covers can also be colourful, often fragrant and even edible.
                                                                                         • Ensure that there is no excessive splashing out of the water feature and
    Creeping rosemary, thyme, verbena and other herbs make highly attractive
                                                                                           that there are no leaks.
    lawn alternatives.                                                                   • A shallow pond will lose more water to evaporation than a deep
    A selection of varied groundcovers is available through Ipswich City                   pond. While it is not feasible to have deep micro-water features, if
    Council Nursery. Contact your local nursery for the best water wise                    you intend to install a pond with a large surface area, try to make it
    ground cover for your particular site, be it sunny or shady.                           between 50cm and 1m deep.

                                                                                         Many water plants need a planting depth of at least 45cm under the
                                                                                         water surface to survive and fish need deep cool areas.


5                         LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                 6
Did you know?
    The leaves of water lilies on the surface area in water
    features can reduce evaporation.




                                                                         Plan an efficient watering system
                                                                         Design your watering system after planning all the zones, plants and
                                                                         hardscapes. An efficient irrigation system applies the right amount of
                                                                         water to the right place at the right time.

                                                                         • Simple bed and lawn shapes will make installation of the system
                                                                           easier.
                                                                         • Design your watering system to match your plan’s water use zones.
                                                                         • Use separate irrigation valves for each water use zone so individual
                                                                           scheduling is possible.
                                                                         • Do make sure that the sprinklers do not apply water faster than the
                                                                           soil’s ability to absorb it.
                                                                         • When designing a watering system on a slope, install check valves
                                                                           before sprinklers at the lowest point of a row of sprinklers to reduce
                                                                           puddling, or buy sprinklers with built-in check valves.
                                                                         • Sprinklers are best used for lawns and larger, high-water-use areas.
                                                                           They should apply water slowly and with uniform coverage, heads
                                                                           should be placed so that the water from one sprinkler reaches the
                                                                           adjacent heads, called head-to-head coverage.
                                                                         • Drip systems apply water slowly and directly to the root zone and
                                                                           efficiently water trees, shrubs, ground covers and containers. Filters
                                                                           and pressure reduction valves are often required.




7                      LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT   LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                            8
Need help with installing a system?
    Consult nursery personnel, landscape designers, landscape contractors
    or a landscape architect. Ask for referrals from friends and neighbours.
    Ensure the person designing the system is an Irrigation Association of
    Australia (I.A.A.) member.


    Cover up and conserve
    • Outdoor living and family fun are greatly enhanced by having a
      swimming pool in the garden during our long, hot summers. Although
      it is a worthwhile investment, it does tend to be a heavy water-user.
      One of the most vital ways to conserve your swimming pool water is
      to place a cover over it to prevent water loss through evaporation.

    • Another way to use water wisely is to fill your pool only when
      necessary and when you do, consider using a timer on your tap.
      A forgotten hose can waste about 1000 litres of water per hour.




9                      LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
2                      Do the Groundwork
     Know your soil                                                                 Improve your soil
     Before you decide to buy plants, get to know your soil first. The ideal soil   If your soil is not ideal, improve it with organic materials. The more
     type is a perfect loam, which will provide plenty of nourishment and which     organic matter the soil contains, the quicker it will absorb water and
     will retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. Sandy soil does not         longer it will retain water. Water crystals can also be used and are
     hold water well and provides little nourishment, while clay soil tends to      particularly useful in sandy soils.
     become waterlogged, thus causing root rot in plants. Water runoff is also
     a common problem in clay soils, which are slow to absorb water.                Consider the following organic amendments:
                                                                                    COMPOST:
     You can also test the pH of the soil for acidity/alkalinity, which can be      Recycle your garden waste to make your own compost or purchase
     altered by working in organic materials.                                       compost from your local nurseries.
                                                                                    MANURE:
      SOIL TYPE                 TEXTURE                   IDENTIFICATION
                                                                                    Available from farmyards and stable owners. Make sure they are well
      Sand                      Gritty                    Forms a ball, crumbles    matured before adding to the soil.
                                                          easily
                                                                                    MULCH:
      Loam                      Smooth with grit          Forms a ball. Holds the   Any organic material placed over the soil will eventually break down
                                                          shape (but has cracks     and be incorporated into the soil thus improving its texture. See page
                                                          when rolled)              28 – for more details on mulch).
      Clay                      Smooth. Compacted when    Forms a ball. Holds the
                                dry, sticky when wet.     shape very well (no
                                                          cracks when rolled).




11                       LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT            LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                          12
Composting tips:
     Composting and Worm Farming                              • Place a compost bin on top of the soil to encourage soil organisms to
                                                                enter the compost and assist in the decomposition process.
     A compost bin or worm farm can turn organic waste,
                                                              • A compost bin will also benefit from being in a fairly sunny location.
     including kitchen scraps and garden waste, into
     excellent quality compost which acts as a natural        • Make sure there is a range of organic waste (eg. garden waste and
                                                                food scraps) going into the compost bin to keep it working at its
     fertiliser to give the garden a boost!
                                                                optimum rate.
     A compost bin confines the organic material and          • Turn the compost heap over with a garden fork every couple of weeks
     helps control conditions so that breakdown is              to allow air to enter the compost aiding the decomposition process.
     accelerated and optimised. Micro-organisms,              • Ensure the compost bin is kept damp to help the organic material to
     earthworms and other insects in the soil will also         break down faster.
     assist in breaking down the organic waste in the
     compost bin.                                             Worm farming tips:
                                                              • Compost worms like diversity and will breakdown and consume the
     A worm farm uses compost worms to convert organic          organic waste a lot quicker if it is cut up small or even preferably
     waste into nutrient-rich liquid and solid castings         shredded or food processed.
     which can also be used as a natural fertiliser for the   • It is good to start a worm farm with about 1000 compost worms and
     garden.                                                    they will double their population in 2-3 months!
                                                              • Select a cool and shaded location for your worm farm and avoid
     Suitable for composting:                                   placing the work farm in the direct sun.
     •   Fruit and veggie scraps                              • Keep the worm farm moist. Covering the working layer with old
     •   Grass clippings, leaves, weeds and dead flowers        carpet or newspaper will keep the worm farm dark and moist.
     •   Newspaper and cardboard (ripped up)                  • Dilute the liquid castings with about 50% water before adding them to
     •   Egg shells                                             your garden. Liquid castings are also good for potted plants.
     •   Bread
                                                              Composting and worm farming is great news for the environment and is
     •   Teabags                                              an easy and effective way to help minimise waste and save valuable
     •   Wood shavings                                        space at landfill. Composting and worm farming also produces an
     •   Hair                                                 excellent quality, nutrient-rich, natural and free fertiliser for the garden.
     •   Vacuum cleaner dust
                                                              Compost bins and worm farms are available through Council. Compost
     Avoid composting:
                                                              worms are available from local hardware stores and some garden
                                                              nurseries.
     Meat or bones, seafood, oil or fat, dairy products,
     glossy magazines, too much citrus or onions and
     diseased plants.



13   LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT          LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                 14
Choose your plants
     Water wise gardens focus on plant varieties that thrive with little water.
     However, no plant is ‘wrong’ in a water wise garden – it just needs to
     be in the right zone to use water the most efficiently. You can select
     exotic as well as indigenous plants, so long as you plant them in the
     appropriate zone. Visit your local nursery to see which plants will be
     appropriate for the water use zones you have planned.
     There are also many beautiful plants, which are naturally drought-
     resistant and require little watering once established.
     Keep in mind your water-use zones and plants’ individual water, sun and
     soil needs when selecting plants.

     Here is a few examples of plants that will thrive within the
     different soil types:
     Sandy Soils:
     •   Sticky Hop Bush Dodonea viscosa
     •   Water Bush Myoporum montanum
     •   Coastal Rosemary Westringia Wynyabbie Gem
     •   Matt Rush Lomandra longifolia
     •   Coastal Banksia Banksia integrifolia
     Loam Soils:
     •   Bush Cherry Syzygium paniculatum
     •   Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides
     •   Midgenberry Austromyrtus dulcis
     •   Tulipwood Harpullia pendula
     •   Twiggy Heath Myrtle Baeckea virgata
     Clay Soils:
     •   Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis
     •   She Oak Casuarina cunninghamiana
     •   Brisbane Wattle Acacia fimbriata
     •   Swamp Banksia Banksia robur
     •   Lemon Scented Tea Tree Leptospermum citratum



15                       LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
Succulent leaves
     Recognising water efficient plants                                             Water is stored in thick fleshy leaves to be available when necessary.
                                                                                    Waxy leaves
     Some plants have certain characteristics that make them extremely water
                                                                                    A waxy coating helps to prevent moisture loss. An example is brush
     efficient. By knowing these characteristics, you will be able to make well-
                                                                                    cherry Syzygium australe, blue lilly pilly Syzygium oleosum and broad
     informed choices as to whether a particular plant is suitable for the low
                                                                                    leaf myoporum Myoporum ellipticum.
     water zone in your garden. Watch out for the following characteristics:
                                                                                    Plants with lighter colours on the undersides of their leaves.
     Small or needle-like leaves                                                    When stressed, they turn the lighter side upward to reflect the sun away.
     This minimises the surface area from which water is lost by evaporation,       They include red ash, soap tree Alphitonia excelsa, native frangipani
     as there is less area to heat up in the sun. They include forest sheoak        Hymenosporum flavum and brush box Lephostemon confertus.
     Allocasuarina torulosa, river oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, Brisbane
     wattle Acacia fimbriata, twiggy heath myrtle Baeckea virgata and
     Leptospermum sp.'s.                                                            Planting tips
     Grey foliage
     The light colour reflects the sun’s rays away from the plant, thereby          • When planting, make the hole twice the width of the nursery pot/bag.
     keeping the plant cooler, which in turn reduces water loss. They include         Carefully remove the plant from the bag/pot and plant to the same
     Qld silver wattle Acacia podalyriifolia, curry plant Helichrysun                 depth as it was buried in the bag.
     angustifolium and emu bush Eremophila glabra.                                  • Water plants frequently after the initial planting until the plants are
     Hairy leaves
                                                                                      well established. The frequency depends on the weather, but usually
     Hairs slow down air movement past the stomata, thereby reducing water            twice weekly and later once a week.
     loss. They also shade the leaf. They include honey myrtle Melaleuca            • Keep plants well mulched to retain moisture.
     incana, silver leaf gazania Gazania rigens, blue eyes Evolvolus pilosus        Fertiliser in the bottom of the planting hole is undesirable. It is best
     and coastal rosemary Westringea fruiticosa.                                    applied at the surface, where it can be dissolved by water and taken up
     Closing leaves                                                                 easily by the roots as desired.
     The leaves of some plants close when they are water-stressed. This reduces     It is also good practice to wait until roots become established before
     the amount of leaf exposed to sunlight, and reduces water loss. They include   fertilizing (not at planting time.)
     long matrush Lomandra longifolia and tall matrush Lomandra hystrix.




17                       LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT            LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                             18
Current Water Restrictions

     3                Water Wisely                                            Current water restrictions are in place in Ipswich City. For further
                                                                              information on current water restrictions please contact Ipswich City
                                                                              Council on (07) 3810 6666 or visit our website at
                                                                              www.ipswich.qld.gov.au.


     It pays to know when, how much and how often to water your plants.
     A flexible watering schedule can save water and money by adjusting to
     changing weather conditions. Your watering schedule can also help
     prevent runoff, encourage deep root growth, and better meet plants’
     changing needs.


     Water at the right time
     • Avoid watering on windy days, as evaporation rates are high.
     • Water at a cool time of the day to reduce evaporation – evening or
       early morning. Watering in the morning decreases the chance of
       mildew.                                                                Water deeply but less often
     • Automatic systems can be set to water before dawn, when                Deep soakings encourage roots to utilize moisture deep in the ground
       evaporation is at its lowest.                                          and enable plants to thrive between waterings.
     • Water less often in cool weather and more frequently in hot weather.
                                                                              Allow water to reach the expected root depth – about 20cm deep for
     • When good rains fall, stop watering for a few days – except where      lawn and about 60cm – 90cm for trees and shrubs. A soil probe or
       roof overhang has prevented plants from benefiting from the rain.      moisture meter may be used to determine water penetration and soil
                                                                              moisture content. Record the total time required for water to reach this
                                                                              depth.

                                                                              Before watering again, let the top few centimeters of soil dry out. Then
                                                                              water again for the same amount of time.

                                                                              When watering your lawn make sure your lawn can absorb all the
                                                                              water it needs, divide your total watering time into 2 to 3 cycles. For
                                                                              example, if your lawn requires 15 minutes of watering, don’t water once
                                                                              for 15 minutes, instead, water three times for five minutes each.




19                     LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT        LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                            20
HOW MUCH WATER IS NEEDED WILL DEPEND ON YOUR SOIL TYPE:

     SOIL TYPE   WATERING CONSIDERATIONS

     Sand        Apply water faster and more often

     Loam        Apply water at a moderate rate but less often than for sandy soil.

     Clay        Apply water slowly and infrequently. If you have heavy clay soil,
                 consider adding compost to improve drainage and aeration.



     Watering on a slope
     It is vital to create basins around the plants for water catchment. If
     possible, terrace the slope to maximise water holding and reduce runoff.

     • Use shorter watering times to avoid runoff, add another watering cycle
       if necessary.
     • Consider planting a groundcover on the slope instead of lawn.
     • Use drip or rotor spray sprinklers on slopes.




21                      LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
4                    Maintain Your WaterWise Garden
     A small amount of regular maintenance throughout the year is all your         Weeding Tips
     garden needs to look good.                                                    • Pull weeds out when the shoots first appear and well before they set seed
                                                                                   • Pull out stubborn weeds when the soil is damp – it is easier.
                                                                                   • To keep weeds down, keep the soil well mulched at all times
     Checking your irrigation system
     • Be water wise and periodically check your irrigation system, as             Replenish your soil
       clogged, leaking or misdirected sprinkler heads waste a lot of water
                                                                                   Fertilizers, especially organically based ones, can be great for your
       and money.
                                                                                   garden. But too much fertilizer can damage plants and can impact on
     • Adjust your controller schedule at least two to three times a year; early
                                                                                   stream and Bay water quality through storm drain runoff. So fertilize
       spring, summer and autumn.
                                                                                   only as needed, when new growth is less than normal or if colour
     • Replace your controller battery every six months.                           appears pale – but be sure to follow directions.
                                                                                   • One of the best, easiest and cheapest forms of fertilizer is compost. You
                                                                                      can start a backyard compost pile/bin easily with kitchen scraps (no
     Lawncare in the heat                                                             meat), garden and lawn clippings, strips of newspaper and little soil.
                                                                                   • Consider using other organic fertilizers such as aged and dried
     To look their best, lawns need constant upkeep, including regular                manure and bone meal.
     mowing and aeration.                                                          • If you do use synthetic fertilisers, preferably use slow-release ones, as
                                                                                      they will have a less dramatic effect on the soil structure.
     • Raise the cutting height of your mower by 25 to 50 percent as the
       temperature increases during summer. Longer grass encourages
       deeper roots and shades the soil better.
                                                                                   Did you know?
     • Increased mowing frequency encourages deeper roots that are
       essential to your lawn’s health when the summer gets hotter.                Earthworms are an indication of good healthy soil. They improve the
                                                                                   soil by aerating it and by distributing organic matter from the surface
     HINT: Avoid mechanical damage such as bumping tree trunks with
                                                                                   into the deeper soil layers. In addition their castings are nutrient rich.
     mowers or damaging the bark with line trimmers. This may stunt future
                                                                                   To attract them to your garden, incorporate organic matter into the soil,
     growth or cause the death of the plant.                                       keep the soil surface mulched and limit the use of chemical pesticides.


23                      LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT            LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                               24
Pest Control                                                                     Mulching
     Snails and other insects – some beneficial and other harmful – are an            Mulch is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to save
     integral part of any garden. As with other maintenance, pest control             water in your garden.
     should be part of your gardening routine. Contact your local nursery for
     advice on the best pest control methods for your particular pest problem.        Benefits
                                                                                      Mulch has many benefits for the garden as well as often providing an
                                                                                      attractive surface. Mulch can:
                                                                                      • Conserve water by reducing evaporation
     Pruning                                                                          • Suppress weed growth
                                                                                      • Reduces wind and water erosion by allowing water to penetrate the soil
     Pruning can be a regular part of your gardening routine, rather than a
                                                                                      • Encourage better root growth by insulating soil from temperature fluctuations
     demanding yearly ordeal. Prune portions of your plants that are dead,
                                                                                      • Improve the soil
     diseased or damaged. To direct growth, lightly prune during the winter
     months before spring growth begins.
                                                                                      Applying mulch
                                                                                      Depending on the type of mulch used, the depth will vary from approx.
                                                                                      50mm-100mm deep around the shrubs, trees and larger perennials. Do
     Did you know?                                                                    not mulch too deep, as this will encourage shallow rooting resulting in
     • Healthy plants are more drought tolerant than weak or damaged plants.          less drought resistance. A finer and less deep layer of mulch is best for
                                                                                      small perennials and annuals. Keep mulch 1cm away from the base of
     • The presence of dragonflies near your pond is an indication of healthy water   trees and shrubs to avoid fungal diseases. For more detail on mulch
                                                                                      depth and type contact your local nursery.




25                       LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT              LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                   26
Which mulch to use?                                                      Types of mulch and depth   Benefits                           Tips

     Organic mulches                                                          Large bark chips           It looks good. Coarse              Avoid using on slopes where
                                                                              50-100mm                   texture lets in water, but         they can be washed away.
     Come from plant and animal sources, and eventually break                                            does not hold it well as finer
     down into the soil, so they need to be replaced                                                     textured materials. Can be
                                                                                                         long lasting. Offers superior
     periodically. They improve and nourish the soil.
                                                                                                         weed control.

                                                                              Lawn clippings             Readily available. Allows          Dry clippings first before
                                                                              50-100mm                   some water in, holds some          applying to prevent nitrogen
                                                                                                         and slows down                     deficiency. Avoid using
                                                                                                         evaporation. Best used in          clippings from weed-infested
                                                                                                         small areas.                       lawn.

                                                                              Partially decomposed       Can be made from garden            Make two compost bins to
                                                                              compost                    and kitchen waste. An              allow time for materials in
                                                                              50-100mm                   excellent method of                each bin to partially break
                                                                                                         incorporating organic matter       down before use. Sift out
                                                                                                         into the soil and improving        large pieces before
                                                                                                         water-holding capacity.            spreading.
                                                                                                         Average at letting moisture
                                                                                                         through; excellent at holding it
                                                                                                         in the soil.

                                                                              Fallen leaves              Allows some water in and           Avoid packing too heavily
                                                                              50-100mm                   keeps it in. Holds the soil.       around annuals and
                                                                                                         Should be partially                perennials. Loosen regularly
                                                                                                         decomposed when applied.           to prevent leaves from
                                                                                                         Improves water-holding             forming a water impervious
                                                                                                         capacity of soil. Very good        mat. Add nitrogen-rich
                                                                                                         for trees, woody perennials        fertiliser to keep soil in
                                                                                                         and wild flowers.                  balance.

                                                                              Straw/sugar cane           Looks good. Allows water in        Use them in wind-free areas
                                                                              50-100mm                   well. Although short-lived,        – they are light. Avoid using
                                                                                                         straw is inexpensive and           on slopes where it can be
                                                                                                         virtually free of weed seeds.      washed away.

                                                                              Pine needles               Looks good. Increase water-        Excellent mulch for acid
                                                                              50-100mm                   holding capacity of the soil.      loving plants. Loosen
                                                                                                         Lets in lots of water. Adds        regularly to prevent the
                                                                                                         humus to soil in                   needles from forming a
                                                                                                         decomposition process.             water impervious mat.
                                                                                                         Increases soil acidity.            Renew regularly.




27                     LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT   LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                                    28
Ipswich City Free Tree Progam
                                                                                                      Ipswich City Council offers Ipswich ratepayers the opportunity to receive free plants
                                                                                                      each financial year. Many of the plants on offer are excellent water wise
     Inorganic Mulches
                                                                                                      alternatives while still providing an attractive plant for your home garden. Just ask
                                                                                                      our friendly staff for assistance.
     Man-made or created from inorganic natural sources. They do not
     break down, and do not improve or nourish the soil, but are long                                 Who is Eligible to have free plants?
     lasting. The most commonly used are pebbles, gravel or rocks.                                    Just present your current Rates Notice, Queensland Housing Commission Card or
                                                                                                      Defence Housing voucher, or a copy of your landlord’s current rates notice at any
     Types of mulch                  Benefits                         Tips
                                                                                                      Ipswich City Council Nursery and receive your allocation of free plants.
     Pebbles, gravel or rocks        Available in varying sizes,      Because they store heat, they
                                     shapes and colours and make      are best used in cooler or      How many plants can I have?
                                     a permeable and permanent        shaded parts of the garden.
                                                                                                      Group                                                                                       Quantity
                                     mulch. They help to conserve
                                     water.                                                           Residents (property owners)                                                                     8
                                                                                                      Schools                                                                                        25
     Landscape plastic               It does not allow oxygen to      Not recommended
                                     enter the soil and can lead to                                   Sporting Clubs                                                                                 25
                                     souring of the soil.
                                                                                                      Churches                                                                                       25
                                                                                                      Rural property owners (Properties over 4 ha)                                                   25
                                                                                                      River Blocks (Adjacent to river)                                                               25
                                                                                                      Primary Producers                                                                             100
                                                                                                      An ABN number will need to be supplied. Plants are selected by nursery staff
                                                                                                      to suit the planting conditions and supplied in tube stock for ease of planting.
                                                                                                      Wildlife Carers*                                                                               30
                                                                                                      Land for Wildlife*                                                                             50
                                                                                                      Voluntary Conservation Agreements*                                                            100
                                                                                                      * Groups and individuals can apply directly through the Ipswich City Council Conservation, Parks and
                                                                                                        Sports Department.

                                                                                                      Nursery Location
                                                                                                      Queen’s Park                                                  Goodna
                                                                                                      Goleby Avenue, Ipswich                                        Stuart Street, Goodna
                                                                                                      Open: Wednesday 7:30am to 12:00pm                             Open: Wednesday         8am to 12:00pm
                                                                                                                           12:30pm to 3:30pm
                                                                                                             Thursday      7:30am to 12:00pm
                                                                                                                           12:30pm to 3:30pm
                                                                                                              Saturday       8:00am to 12:00pm
                                                                                                      For mobile nursery times and other information on the Program contact Ipswich City Council.
                                                                                                      Ipswich City Council Nurseries are proud to be a participant in the Ipswich City
                                                                                                      Council Bushland Friendly Nursery Program.

29                              LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                       LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT                                                        30

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Create Your Own Waterwise Garden - Ipswich, Australia

  • 1. M A N A G E M E N T Create Your Own WaterWise WAT E R S U S TA I N A B L E I N WAY Your contribution to This brochure was developed by IPSWICH WATER a Commercial Business Unit of Ipswich City Council. using water efficiently T H E PHONE (07) 3810 6666 FACSIMILE (07) 3810 6731 VISIT OUR WEBSITE L E A D I N G www.ipswich.qld.gov.au EMAIL US AT council@gil.com.au IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL PO Box 191, Ipswich Qld 4305 November 2005
  • 2. Message from the Mayor Water is a precious resource which too many Australians take for Steps in Creating a granted. With an average rainfall of only 472mm per year nationally and 630mm in Queensland (compared to the world average of over 800mm per year) and a highly unpredictable climate, few of us WaterWise understand how scarce water is in this country. Unfortunately most of our drinking water goes to waste. About 33% of Design your WaterWise garden 1 all domestic water is either flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain. A further 50 to 60% is used outdoors in the garden and pool. Know your site It is time to get wise about water conservation. The function of your garden At Ipswich City Council, we believe gardens can be beautiful and Zoning makes sense “WaterWise” at the same time. By creating your own WaterWise Planning for lawn areas garden or changing your existing garden into a WaterWise garden, you Plan for a water efficient water feature will be making a responsible choice to help conserve our precious water Plan an efficient watering system supplies. I invite you to look through the WaterWise Gardening guide before you Do the groundwork 2 begin your next gardening project. You'll find lots of helpful tips and resources which we trust will be an inspiration to you to become Know your soil conscious of the value of water and how to use it wisely. Improve your soil Composting and worm farming Happy gardening! Choose your plants Cr Paul Pisasale Recognising water efficient plants Mayor of the City of Ipswich 3 Water Wisely Water at the right time Water deeply but less often Maintain your WaterWise garden Checking your irrigation system 4 Replenish your soil Pest control Pruning Mulching Free Tree Program 1 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 2
  • 3. 1 Design Your WaterWise Know your site The function of your garden If you are planning a new garden, the more water wise you make it from the Decide which areas of the garden to select for your different needs, such as: start, the easier and less expensive it will be to keep it beautiful. An • Entertaining • Wildlife habitat established garden can also be made water wise with a little effort and • Play or sports • Erosion or climate control thought. • Vegetable gardening • In addition, where are the most • A swimming pool or water feature appropriate places for paths or Paying attention to your garden’s unique characteristics will help you to select • A space for quite contemplation walkways to the house? the right plants for the right place. So, find out the following information by looking around your garden: It has been estimated that many gardeners use about twice as much water in their landscapes as is needed. In most gardens, the amount of water used • Where are the sunniest areas? How long does the sun shine there each can be reduced without creating serious plant problems. In a dry climate day? Are some areas sunny in the morning but shaded in the afternoon? water-efficient landscaping does not mean using only desert plants. It means making an existing landscape or garden more water efficient or developing a Make notes of areas that receive sun in the afternoon, as these areas tend new site with low water needs. to be hot. The western side of your home will be particularly hot in the afternoon. • Where is the shadiest area? Is there dense shading all day, or is there Zoning makes sense some sunlight? A good idea is to concentrate on plants that are adaptable to the site, rather • Does your garden experience frost in winter? Your north facing side of than change existing conditions in the garden to suit the plants. Local native your home will be warmer. plants are ideal, as well as plants from similar climates throughout the world. • Do you have any slopes? How steep? Can these slopes be used to channel The main principle of a water wise garden is to group plants with similar water for water harvesting? water requirements in the same beds. Place plants that need regular • Are there any spots where drainage is a problem? Is the soil damp or watering, such as roses, in an area with other high water users and group boggy? plants that need watering less frequently – for example, once a month – in a • Is wind a problem? From which direction does it come? different area of the garden. • Are there any views you’d like to enhance or screen? Group shade-loving plants together in a shady area of the garden and sun- loving plants where they will receive maximum sunlight. 3 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 4
  • 4. HIGH MODERATE LOW NO Plan for a water efficient water feature Water-use zone Water-use zone Water-use zone Water-use zone In our hot summer climate the refreshing qualities of a tranquil pond, Lawns Plants needing a Plants that thrive Hardscapes sparkling fountain or trickling waterfall can add to the beauty of the Water loving little more water mainly on the (patios, decks, garden. If you take into account certain factors, it is possible to have a plants than provided by rainfall, and walkways) and water efficient water feature. the rainfall in our need little, if any, established area watering during plants that can the winter months survive on Position: rainfall only • Site your water feature where you will enjoy it to the full. One water feature strategically placed in a focal area will be more effective in Container plants May take Established trees advantage of and shrubs. your garden design than several scattered around the garden – and runoff from will also be more water efficient. gutters and • A water feature in a shady or partially shady spot will lose less water paved areas to evaporation. • Position your water feature in an area of low wind movement, so less Consider alternatives to lawn such as stepping stones, pebbles, sleepers and water water will be lost to evaporation. wise ground covers. Type of water feature: • If your water feature has moving water, that is, a waterfall or fountain Planning for lawn areas of one type or another, extra water will be lost to evaporation. • But if you choose a fountain that produces coarse droplets rather than Lawns are great for play and entertaining but they also need a lot of water sprayers or fountains with a fine spray, less water is lost to evaporation. and maintenance. When planning your garden, think about how much lawn • In addition, avoid extravagant high-pressure movement in fountains you actually need, and place it only where you really need it. Use instead, and waterfalls as these have high evaporation rates. lawn alternatives such as decks, patios, containers, paving, attractive mulches • Switching off the pump when you don’t actually need to see the or river stones. Many open areas may successfully be planted with attractive fountain or waterfall is a water efficient approach – evaporation is and hardy groundcovers, while stepping stones can be used in the foot traffic greatest during the hot midday and afternoon hours. areas. Ground covers can also be colourful, often fragrant and even edible. • Ensure that there is no excessive splashing out of the water feature and Creeping rosemary, thyme, verbena and other herbs make highly attractive that there are no leaks. lawn alternatives. • A shallow pond will lose more water to evaporation than a deep A selection of varied groundcovers is available through Ipswich City pond. While it is not feasible to have deep micro-water features, if Council Nursery. Contact your local nursery for the best water wise you intend to install a pond with a large surface area, try to make it ground cover for your particular site, be it sunny or shady. between 50cm and 1m deep. Many water plants need a planting depth of at least 45cm under the water surface to survive and fish need deep cool areas. 5 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 6
  • 5. Did you know? The leaves of water lilies on the surface area in water features can reduce evaporation. Plan an efficient watering system Design your watering system after planning all the zones, plants and hardscapes. An efficient irrigation system applies the right amount of water to the right place at the right time. • Simple bed and lawn shapes will make installation of the system easier. • Design your watering system to match your plan’s water use zones. • Use separate irrigation valves for each water use zone so individual scheduling is possible. • Do make sure that the sprinklers do not apply water faster than the soil’s ability to absorb it. • When designing a watering system on a slope, install check valves before sprinklers at the lowest point of a row of sprinklers to reduce puddling, or buy sprinklers with built-in check valves. • Sprinklers are best used for lawns and larger, high-water-use areas. They should apply water slowly and with uniform coverage, heads should be placed so that the water from one sprinkler reaches the adjacent heads, called head-to-head coverage. • Drip systems apply water slowly and directly to the root zone and efficiently water trees, shrubs, ground covers and containers. Filters and pressure reduction valves are often required. 7 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 8
  • 6. Need help with installing a system? Consult nursery personnel, landscape designers, landscape contractors or a landscape architect. Ask for referrals from friends and neighbours. Ensure the person designing the system is an Irrigation Association of Australia (I.A.A.) member. Cover up and conserve • Outdoor living and family fun are greatly enhanced by having a swimming pool in the garden during our long, hot summers. Although it is a worthwhile investment, it does tend to be a heavy water-user. One of the most vital ways to conserve your swimming pool water is to place a cover over it to prevent water loss through evaporation. • Another way to use water wisely is to fill your pool only when necessary and when you do, consider using a timer on your tap. A forgotten hose can waste about 1000 litres of water per hour. 9 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
  • 7. 2 Do the Groundwork Know your soil Improve your soil Before you decide to buy plants, get to know your soil first. The ideal soil If your soil is not ideal, improve it with organic materials. The more type is a perfect loam, which will provide plenty of nourishment and which organic matter the soil contains, the quicker it will absorb water and will retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. Sandy soil does not longer it will retain water. Water crystals can also be used and are hold water well and provides little nourishment, while clay soil tends to particularly useful in sandy soils. become waterlogged, thus causing root rot in plants. Water runoff is also a common problem in clay soils, which are slow to absorb water. Consider the following organic amendments: COMPOST: You can also test the pH of the soil for acidity/alkalinity, which can be Recycle your garden waste to make your own compost or purchase altered by working in organic materials. compost from your local nurseries. MANURE: SOIL TYPE TEXTURE IDENTIFICATION Available from farmyards and stable owners. Make sure they are well Sand Gritty Forms a ball, crumbles matured before adding to the soil. easily MULCH: Loam Smooth with grit Forms a ball. Holds the Any organic material placed over the soil will eventually break down shape (but has cracks and be incorporated into the soil thus improving its texture. See page when rolled) 28 – for more details on mulch). Clay Smooth. Compacted when Forms a ball. Holds the dry, sticky when wet. shape very well (no cracks when rolled). 11 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 12
  • 8. Composting tips: Composting and Worm Farming • Place a compost bin on top of the soil to encourage soil organisms to enter the compost and assist in the decomposition process. A compost bin or worm farm can turn organic waste, • A compost bin will also benefit from being in a fairly sunny location. including kitchen scraps and garden waste, into excellent quality compost which acts as a natural • Make sure there is a range of organic waste (eg. garden waste and food scraps) going into the compost bin to keep it working at its fertiliser to give the garden a boost! optimum rate. A compost bin confines the organic material and • Turn the compost heap over with a garden fork every couple of weeks helps control conditions so that breakdown is to allow air to enter the compost aiding the decomposition process. accelerated and optimised. Micro-organisms, • Ensure the compost bin is kept damp to help the organic material to earthworms and other insects in the soil will also break down faster. assist in breaking down the organic waste in the compost bin. Worm farming tips: • Compost worms like diversity and will breakdown and consume the A worm farm uses compost worms to convert organic organic waste a lot quicker if it is cut up small or even preferably waste into nutrient-rich liquid and solid castings shredded or food processed. which can also be used as a natural fertiliser for the • It is good to start a worm farm with about 1000 compost worms and garden. they will double their population in 2-3 months! • Select a cool and shaded location for your worm farm and avoid Suitable for composting: placing the work farm in the direct sun. • Fruit and veggie scraps • Keep the worm farm moist. Covering the working layer with old • Grass clippings, leaves, weeds and dead flowers carpet or newspaper will keep the worm farm dark and moist. • Newspaper and cardboard (ripped up) • Dilute the liquid castings with about 50% water before adding them to • Egg shells your garden. Liquid castings are also good for potted plants. • Bread Composting and worm farming is great news for the environment and is • Teabags an easy and effective way to help minimise waste and save valuable • Wood shavings space at landfill. Composting and worm farming also produces an • Hair excellent quality, nutrient-rich, natural and free fertiliser for the garden. • Vacuum cleaner dust Compost bins and worm farms are available through Council. Compost Avoid composting: worms are available from local hardware stores and some garden nurseries. Meat or bones, seafood, oil or fat, dairy products, glossy magazines, too much citrus or onions and diseased plants. 13 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 14
  • 9. Choose your plants Water wise gardens focus on plant varieties that thrive with little water. However, no plant is ‘wrong’ in a water wise garden – it just needs to be in the right zone to use water the most efficiently. You can select exotic as well as indigenous plants, so long as you plant them in the appropriate zone. Visit your local nursery to see which plants will be appropriate for the water use zones you have planned. There are also many beautiful plants, which are naturally drought- resistant and require little watering once established. Keep in mind your water-use zones and plants’ individual water, sun and soil needs when selecting plants. Here is a few examples of plants that will thrive within the different soil types: Sandy Soils: • Sticky Hop Bush Dodonea viscosa • Water Bush Myoporum montanum • Coastal Rosemary Westringia Wynyabbie Gem • Matt Rush Lomandra longifolia • Coastal Banksia Banksia integrifolia Loam Soils: • Bush Cherry Syzygium paniculatum • Tuckeroo Cupaniopsis anacardioides • Midgenberry Austromyrtus dulcis • Tulipwood Harpullia pendula • Twiggy Heath Myrtle Baeckea virgata Clay Soils: • Weeping Bottlebrush Callistemon viminalis • She Oak Casuarina cunninghamiana • Brisbane Wattle Acacia fimbriata • Swamp Banksia Banksia robur • Lemon Scented Tea Tree Leptospermum citratum 15 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
  • 10. Succulent leaves Recognising water efficient plants Water is stored in thick fleshy leaves to be available when necessary. Waxy leaves Some plants have certain characteristics that make them extremely water A waxy coating helps to prevent moisture loss. An example is brush efficient. By knowing these characteristics, you will be able to make well- cherry Syzygium australe, blue lilly pilly Syzygium oleosum and broad informed choices as to whether a particular plant is suitable for the low leaf myoporum Myoporum ellipticum. water zone in your garden. Watch out for the following characteristics: Plants with lighter colours on the undersides of their leaves. Small or needle-like leaves When stressed, they turn the lighter side upward to reflect the sun away. This minimises the surface area from which water is lost by evaporation, They include red ash, soap tree Alphitonia excelsa, native frangipani as there is less area to heat up in the sun. They include forest sheoak Hymenosporum flavum and brush box Lephostemon confertus. Allocasuarina torulosa, river oak Casuarina cunninghamiana, Brisbane wattle Acacia fimbriata, twiggy heath myrtle Baeckea virgata and Leptospermum sp.'s. Planting tips Grey foliage The light colour reflects the sun’s rays away from the plant, thereby • When planting, make the hole twice the width of the nursery pot/bag. keeping the plant cooler, which in turn reduces water loss. They include Carefully remove the plant from the bag/pot and plant to the same Qld silver wattle Acacia podalyriifolia, curry plant Helichrysun depth as it was buried in the bag. angustifolium and emu bush Eremophila glabra. • Water plants frequently after the initial planting until the plants are Hairy leaves well established. The frequency depends on the weather, but usually Hairs slow down air movement past the stomata, thereby reducing water twice weekly and later once a week. loss. They also shade the leaf. They include honey myrtle Melaleuca • Keep plants well mulched to retain moisture. incana, silver leaf gazania Gazania rigens, blue eyes Evolvolus pilosus Fertiliser in the bottom of the planting hole is undesirable. It is best and coastal rosemary Westringea fruiticosa. applied at the surface, where it can be dissolved by water and taken up Closing leaves easily by the roots as desired. The leaves of some plants close when they are water-stressed. This reduces It is also good practice to wait until roots become established before the amount of leaf exposed to sunlight, and reduces water loss. They include fertilizing (not at planting time.) long matrush Lomandra longifolia and tall matrush Lomandra hystrix. 17 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 18
  • 11. Current Water Restrictions 3 Water Wisely Current water restrictions are in place in Ipswich City. For further information on current water restrictions please contact Ipswich City Council on (07) 3810 6666 or visit our website at www.ipswich.qld.gov.au. It pays to know when, how much and how often to water your plants. A flexible watering schedule can save water and money by adjusting to changing weather conditions. Your watering schedule can also help prevent runoff, encourage deep root growth, and better meet plants’ changing needs. Water at the right time • Avoid watering on windy days, as evaporation rates are high. • Water at a cool time of the day to reduce evaporation – evening or early morning. Watering in the morning decreases the chance of mildew. Water deeply but less often • Automatic systems can be set to water before dawn, when Deep soakings encourage roots to utilize moisture deep in the ground evaporation is at its lowest. and enable plants to thrive between waterings. • Water less often in cool weather and more frequently in hot weather. Allow water to reach the expected root depth – about 20cm deep for • When good rains fall, stop watering for a few days – except where lawn and about 60cm – 90cm for trees and shrubs. A soil probe or roof overhang has prevented plants from benefiting from the rain. moisture meter may be used to determine water penetration and soil moisture content. Record the total time required for water to reach this depth. Before watering again, let the top few centimeters of soil dry out. Then water again for the same amount of time. When watering your lawn make sure your lawn can absorb all the water it needs, divide your total watering time into 2 to 3 cycles. For example, if your lawn requires 15 minutes of watering, don’t water once for 15 minutes, instead, water three times for five minutes each. 19 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 20
  • 12. HOW MUCH WATER IS NEEDED WILL DEPEND ON YOUR SOIL TYPE: SOIL TYPE WATERING CONSIDERATIONS Sand Apply water faster and more often Loam Apply water at a moderate rate but less often than for sandy soil. Clay Apply water slowly and infrequently. If you have heavy clay soil, consider adding compost to improve drainage and aeration. Watering on a slope It is vital to create basins around the plants for water catchment. If possible, terrace the slope to maximise water holding and reduce runoff. • Use shorter watering times to avoid runoff, add another watering cycle if necessary. • Consider planting a groundcover on the slope instead of lawn. • Use drip or rotor spray sprinklers on slopes. 21 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT
  • 13. 4 Maintain Your WaterWise Garden A small amount of regular maintenance throughout the year is all your Weeding Tips garden needs to look good. • Pull weeds out when the shoots first appear and well before they set seed • Pull out stubborn weeds when the soil is damp – it is easier. • To keep weeds down, keep the soil well mulched at all times Checking your irrigation system • Be water wise and periodically check your irrigation system, as Replenish your soil clogged, leaking or misdirected sprinkler heads waste a lot of water Fertilizers, especially organically based ones, can be great for your and money. garden. But too much fertilizer can damage plants and can impact on • Adjust your controller schedule at least two to three times a year; early stream and Bay water quality through storm drain runoff. So fertilize spring, summer and autumn. only as needed, when new growth is less than normal or if colour • Replace your controller battery every six months. appears pale – but be sure to follow directions. • One of the best, easiest and cheapest forms of fertilizer is compost. You can start a backyard compost pile/bin easily with kitchen scraps (no Lawncare in the heat meat), garden and lawn clippings, strips of newspaper and little soil. • Consider using other organic fertilizers such as aged and dried To look their best, lawns need constant upkeep, including regular manure and bone meal. mowing and aeration. • If you do use synthetic fertilisers, preferably use slow-release ones, as they will have a less dramatic effect on the soil structure. • Raise the cutting height of your mower by 25 to 50 percent as the temperature increases during summer. Longer grass encourages deeper roots and shades the soil better. Did you know? • Increased mowing frequency encourages deeper roots that are essential to your lawn’s health when the summer gets hotter. Earthworms are an indication of good healthy soil. They improve the soil by aerating it and by distributing organic matter from the surface HINT: Avoid mechanical damage such as bumping tree trunks with into the deeper soil layers. In addition their castings are nutrient rich. mowers or damaging the bark with line trimmers. This may stunt future To attract them to your garden, incorporate organic matter into the soil, growth or cause the death of the plant. keep the soil surface mulched and limit the use of chemical pesticides. 23 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 24
  • 14. Pest Control Mulching Snails and other insects – some beneficial and other harmful – are an Mulch is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to save integral part of any garden. As with other maintenance, pest control water in your garden. should be part of your gardening routine. Contact your local nursery for advice on the best pest control methods for your particular pest problem. Benefits Mulch has many benefits for the garden as well as often providing an attractive surface. Mulch can: • Conserve water by reducing evaporation Pruning • Suppress weed growth • Reduces wind and water erosion by allowing water to penetrate the soil Pruning can be a regular part of your gardening routine, rather than a • Encourage better root growth by insulating soil from temperature fluctuations demanding yearly ordeal. Prune portions of your plants that are dead, • Improve the soil diseased or damaged. To direct growth, lightly prune during the winter months before spring growth begins. Applying mulch Depending on the type of mulch used, the depth will vary from approx. 50mm-100mm deep around the shrubs, trees and larger perennials. Do Did you know? not mulch too deep, as this will encourage shallow rooting resulting in • Healthy plants are more drought tolerant than weak or damaged plants. less drought resistance. A finer and less deep layer of mulch is best for small perennials and annuals. Keep mulch 1cm away from the base of • The presence of dragonflies near your pond is an indication of healthy water trees and shrubs to avoid fungal diseases. For more detail on mulch depth and type contact your local nursery. 25 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 26
  • 15. Which mulch to use? Types of mulch and depth Benefits Tips Organic mulches Large bark chips It looks good. Coarse Avoid using on slopes where 50-100mm texture lets in water, but they can be washed away. Come from plant and animal sources, and eventually break does not hold it well as finer down into the soil, so they need to be replaced textured materials. Can be long lasting. Offers superior periodically. They improve and nourish the soil. weed control. Lawn clippings Readily available. Allows Dry clippings first before 50-100mm some water in, holds some applying to prevent nitrogen and slows down deficiency. Avoid using evaporation. Best used in clippings from weed-infested small areas. lawn. Partially decomposed Can be made from garden Make two compost bins to compost and kitchen waste. An allow time for materials in 50-100mm excellent method of each bin to partially break incorporating organic matter down before use. Sift out into the soil and improving large pieces before water-holding capacity. spreading. Average at letting moisture through; excellent at holding it in the soil. Fallen leaves Allows some water in and Avoid packing too heavily 50-100mm keeps it in. Holds the soil. around annuals and Should be partially perennials. Loosen regularly decomposed when applied. to prevent leaves from Improves water-holding forming a water impervious capacity of soil. Very good mat. Add nitrogen-rich for trees, woody perennials fertiliser to keep soil in and wild flowers. balance. Straw/sugar cane Looks good. Allows water in Use them in wind-free areas 50-100mm well. Although short-lived, – they are light. Avoid using straw is inexpensive and on slopes where it can be virtually free of weed seeds. washed away. Pine needles Looks good. Increase water- Excellent mulch for acid 50-100mm holding capacity of the soil. loving plants. Loosen Lets in lots of water. Adds regularly to prevent the humus to soil in needles from forming a decomposition process. water impervious mat. Increases soil acidity. Renew regularly. 27 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 28
  • 16. Ipswich City Free Tree Progam Ipswich City Council offers Ipswich ratepayers the opportunity to receive free plants each financial year. Many of the plants on offer are excellent water wise Inorganic Mulches alternatives while still providing an attractive plant for your home garden. Just ask our friendly staff for assistance. Man-made or created from inorganic natural sources. They do not break down, and do not improve or nourish the soil, but are long Who is Eligible to have free plants? lasting. The most commonly used are pebbles, gravel or rocks. Just present your current Rates Notice, Queensland Housing Commission Card or Defence Housing voucher, or a copy of your landlord’s current rates notice at any Types of mulch Benefits Tips Ipswich City Council Nursery and receive your allocation of free plants. Pebbles, gravel or rocks Available in varying sizes, Because they store heat, they shapes and colours and make are best used in cooler or How many plants can I have? a permeable and permanent shaded parts of the garden. Group Quantity mulch. They help to conserve water. Residents (property owners) 8 Schools 25 Landscape plastic It does not allow oxygen to Not recommended enter the soil and can lead to Sporting Clubs 25 souring of the soil. Churches 25 Rural property owners (Properties over 4 ha) 25 River Blocks (Adjacent to river) 25 Primary Producers 100 An ABN number will need to be supplied. Plants are selected by nursery staff to suit the planting conditions and supplied in tube stock for ease of planting. Wildlife Carers* 30 Land for Wildlife* 50 Voluntary Conservation Agreements* 100 * Groups and individuals can apply directly through the Ipswich City Council Conservation, Parks and Sports Department. Nursery Location Queen’s Park Goodna Goleby Avenue, Ipswich Stuart Street, Goodna Open: Wednesday 7:30am to 12:00pm Open: Wednesday 8am to 12:00pm 12:30pm to 3:30pm Thursday 7:30am to 12:00pm 12:30pm to 3:30pm Saturday 8:00am to 12:00pm For mobile nursery times and other information on the Program contact Ipswich City Council. Ipswich City Council Nurseries are proud to be a participant in the Ipswich City Council Bushland Friendly Nursery Program. 29 LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT LEADING THE WAY IN SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT 30