Water Efficient Gardens
Unlimited water out of the tap is a thing of the past for most of us. If we're going to have successful gardens in the harsh environment we live in, water tanks combined with efficient use of water must play an important role in garden designs of the future.
News
Towards better timing
The defined hours for watering laid down by our local councils aren't always the best for water conservation. Research conducted in Toowoomba, investigating how weather conditions affect evaporation, may one day lead to smarter watering practices. More from University of Southern Queensland here: Research reveals best time to water your garden
More Links
NB: more about drought tolerant plant species here: Drought tolerant plants and about watering and irrigation in general here: Garden Watering Issues. There are also some links about lawn management here: Lawn and Turf supplies
Below are some selected sites from around Australia and the world discussing garden design, maintenance practices and other aspects of garden water conservation. Not all the information may be directly applicable where you live, but should at least provide ideas for further research.
Check also with your relevant government authorities, which may be able to help you with advice and information about current watering regulations, water storage and re-use in your area. Irrigation with greywater, for example, may be illegal or strictly regulated where you live.
Queensland
Queensland Water Commission is a good starting point for water supply and water saving information including the South East Queensland Regional Drought Strategy.
Australia
International
XeriscapeTM note that the trademark for this term is owned by Denver Water (Coloradao, USA). More information here
The Myth of Xeriscaping Do drought-tolerant plants really reduce residential water consumption? Washington State University (PDF)
Trees in the Desert How landscapers establish trees and shrubs in some desert communities. Saudi Aramco World magazine
Mahmood's Garden Blog about the challenges of gardening in the Arabian Desert, Bahrain
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