El Niño is coming!
With a hot, dry summer forecast and possible water restrictions ensuing, now is the time to look at ways to create a sustainable, drought-resilient garden.
Here are methods of making every drop of water work for you.
- Improve soil health – mix organic compost into your soil to boost its water-holding capacity.
- Apply heavy mulch – spread a 75mm to 100mm layer of organic woodchip mulch across any bare soil to protect and cool root systems and reduce evaporation.
- Install drip irrigation – switch from sprinklers or hand-held hoses to low-flow drip tubes or soaker hoses.
- Less lawn, more landscaping – lawns need water, so think of replacing grass with permeable hardscaping and drought-resistant plants. Build walkways using gravel or pavers with gaps for ground covers so rainwater sinks in rather than runs off.
- Grow drought-tolerant native plants – these look after themselves once established.
Why these methods work?
Groundcovers help retain moisture and reduce weeds. Creeping boobialla (Myoporum parvifolium) is fast-spreading with tiny white flowers. Casuarina ‘Cousin It’ is a unique mounding plant that creates a dense mat.
Drought-tolerant shrubs include bottlebrush (Callistemon species) with flowers that support birds and bees, and the very hardy silver-leafed coastal rosemary (Westringia).
A little planning now will save a lot of water later.
Read more stories from the Chermside Guide’s print magazine here:
- The Calm Before the Storms: What Jobs to Tackle Now
- Get Hands-On at Gaming and Hobby Expo
- Spangled Perch Leiopotherapon Unicolor
- Thank Your Teacher With a Thoughtful Gift
- The Fox
- Podcast Review: The Pub Quiz Pod
- Chermside Connect: Updates from the Community
- What’s Hot Around Town
- Local Kids Leave Colourful Mark on Beams Road Project
- A Springtime Scheme for Growl Theatre
- Brisbane Apollo Male Choir Still Singing After 140 Years
- New Conductor Leads End-of-Year Concert
- Carols, Community and Christmas Cheer at All Saints
- Kedron Football Club
- New Community Event for Board Game Lovers
- Rick Price Brings Nostalgic Show to Nundah
- Stafford Men’s Shed to Hold Garage Sale
- Tricia Stringer Shares New Novel with Readers
- Zonta Campaign Calls to End Violence Against Women
