Waterwise Gardening
Alice Springs residents are among the highest water users anywhere in Australia. This high water use is mainly because our hot dry summers make it hard to keep European style gardens (especially lawns) green.
On average almost two thirds of our household water use goes on to the garden so outdoors is generally the best place to start looking for some good water savings. Many houses use much more than the average presenting excellent opportunities for water and money savings.
Water saving ideas for the garden:
- Reduce your lawn area - replace unused lawn with water efficient plants, mulch, paving, sand or gravel
- In summer water your lawn only once a week for 30 minutes in the coolest time of day or night
- Try lower water use native lawn varieties
- Use native or drought tolerant Waterwise plants where possible - local nurseries can provide advice on these
- Replace sprinklers with sub surface dripper systems that water plant roots directly
- Use a tap timer to ensure sprinklers or drippers are not accidentally left running
- Mulch your plants
- Group plants with similar water requirements
- Harvest rainwater and stormwater for garden use
Resources
Arid Zone Watering Guide
In Alice Springs an estimated 80% of gardens are over watered. Watering techniques for Central Australia can be quite different to those from wetter climates so check the Arid Zone watering guide (pdf 3.71Mb)
Sustainable Gardening Australia
Although they're based in Victoria, their website still has some relevant information including on native lawns.
SA Water
South Australia's SA Water has some good publications on being waterwise in the garden.
Western Australia’s Water Corporation
WA's Water Corporation has some excellent waterwise gardening information on their website.
Sydney Water Corporation
Sydney Water Corporation website has some good waterwise gardening fact sheets.
Alice Springs Town Council - Local or native plants
Alice Springs Town Council has a list of recommended waterwise local or native plants for gardens.
Alice Springs Town Council - Green waste recycling
Alice Springs Town Council is now recycling green waste at the Alice Springs Landfill, transforming it into mulch, compost and soil mixes for sale to the Alice Springs community.