Don’t compromise, be water wise

A resident of Lanseria and gardener, Sue Frye, advises gardeners not to compromise keeping their plants hydrated over this dry season even though there are water restrictions.

Frye said many plants would not survive intense dry heat and need to have a ‘deep soaking’ every second day. However, water restrictions still need to be adhered to and Frye provides simple ways to water your garden sufficiently without wastage or use of large volumes of water.

Frye suggested the use of mulch, a layer of material placed on the surface of the soil, which locks in moisture. “Mulch, mulch and more mulch. Make sure you mulch with a material that is not too heavy. Straw is the best as it can still ‘breathe’,” Frye said.

Apart from mulch, Frye would also use some vermiculite, an alternative product of mica and minerals, or coir (coconut fibres) which can be placed around ‘extra special’ plants to retain more water. All watering should be done by hand and not by a sprinkler.

Additionally, Frye recommends using empty plastic bottles with holes in their base that are buried in the sand to water deep down, right to the roots. This prevents the water from being evaporated by the sun.

Frye advises gardeners to also plant new plants in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures. “When planting, think of using the companion planting technique and plant your plants closer together to minimise exposed soil surface area,” Frye said.

Details: Sue Frye 082 228 0993.