Litha 1997 Newsletter Water, Water, where for art thou?

As our friends in the bush are too well aware, at this time of the year, water is one of our most precious gifts from Mother Nature. It is at this time of the year that rural tanks become dry, and the people who live in the bush start to look to the sky for lots and lots of rain. Our bush neighbours are all too familiar with water saving techniques, so perhaps as a gesture of support for them, and as a gesture of respect and love to the earth, we city folk could practise a few water saving techniques of our own.

• Dripping or leaking taps in and around the house waste a lot of water each year. Even the smallest drip from a worn washer can waste 200 or more litres of water a day.
• Be water wise when you water your plants, don't water them in the hottest part of the day. Not only will you burn the plants, you will also feel the urge to re water later on. The best time to water plants is to do it early morning or late evening. Better still, mulch around your plants and you won't have to water that often. Even better still, plant Australian Natives that need very little water, and are suited to our harsh summer climate.
• Don't use a sprinkler! All too often I see people watering the cement, the fence, the footpath. A little water in the right direction from a watering can is much more efficient. A sprinkler is easy to forget.
• While giving the garden a quick drink every night may be good therapy for you, it does nothing for the plants. It makes them shallow rooted and dependent on the meagre amount of water you provide. Most of this water is wasted through evaporation. Water your plants every fourth day in summer, but water for longer periods. This makes the plants hardier and encourages the roots to go deeper in the soil to seek out moisture.
• Use your left over grey water to water your plants. This is washing up water, or bath water, or laundry water that can be used on your garden. A great way to save water.
• Make sure your dishwasher or washing machine is fully loaded before using. If you only have a few items to do, try doing them by hand. One or two items of clothing can be easily washed in the shower with you, and you will save a lot of water.
• Share a shower with someone if you are able.
• Limit your showers to only a couple of minutes, do you really need to practise your singing for ten or more minutes?
• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator, so you don't waste water running the tap to cool it down.
• Don't leave water running while you clean veges, put the plug in.
• Turn the tap off when shaving or brushing your teeth.
• Keep your garden free from weeds as they are competing for moisture and nutrient in the garden. A weed free garden will need less watering in the hottest months.
• Don't wash your car on the street using detergent. It is illegal, and the water that you waste, mixed with the detergent go straight into the waterways, which most of you will want to swim in this summer, and other will want to catch fish from. Spare a thought for our waterways.
• As the old saying goes "Water is life, don't waste a drop".

USE A GOOD MULCH

Mulches can prevent up to 73% evaporation loss and they are one of the cheapest and easiest ways to make the most of water in the garden. The best mulch is a well-rotted compost which will also improve the soil structure. Place the mulch away from the trunk to prevent collar rot occurring.