Water-Wise Gardens

Introduction | Planning and Design | Planting a New Garden
Soil Conditioning | Watering Requirements
Limiting Grassy Areas | Fertilizers
Pesticides and Herbicides | Plant Selection
Gardening with Native Plants

Watering Requirements

Proper watering is the most important element in water-wise landscaping. Knowing when to water and for how long is essential to maintaining a quality, water-efficient landscape.

Newly-planted trees and shrubs need frequent watering from planting time until they are well-rooted. During this time period, plants can be gradually weaned to smaller amounts of water. Proper weaning develops deep roots and makes plants drought tolerant. Once established, most trees and shrubs benefit from a twice-monthly thorough watering during the growing season in drought conditions.

Most water applied to lawns and gardens is never absorbed by the plants. Water can be lost to runoff when it's applied faster than the soil can absorb it. Water is often lost to evaporation from exposed, unmulched soil.

Don't overwater! Most lawns receive twice as much water as they need. Half an inch twice a week is all that's needed. Water early in the morning, and water infrequently but deeply. Use a rain gauge (available from the Region of Peel) to monitor rainfall and watering.

A properly maintained lawn needs less water. Adjust the height of the lawnmower blade, cutting the grass higher than normal. Leave the grassclippings on the lawn. Grass clippings are 80 per cent water and decompose readily, adding nitrogen back into the soil.

Irrigation

Watering the lawn with a hose is extremely inefficient. There are two types of landscaping irrigation systems: sprinkler and drip. A combination of both is best for a water-wise landscape. Water grass separately. Grass is best watered with a sprinkler. Trees, shrubs, flowers and groundcover can be watered by low volume drip, spray or soaker hoses.

Automate your watering. Using a sprinkler timer or installing a sprinkler system helps to save water. Ensure your sprinkler system has a rain or moisture sensor.

When used properly, times and irrigation systems provide plants with enough water without waste. Plants can be watered at different times and for different durations, depending on their needs.

Rain barrels: an old idea is new again. Rain water is soft, temperate and free. Place rain barrels under downspouts to catch rain and heavy dews. Keep rain barrels covered to deter mosquitos, and to keep them safe for children and animals. They range in size from 200 litres to 1000 litres, and cost from $40 - $250.