What Spring and Stage 2 Water Restrictions means to you

Australia is a dry continent and the recent drought that lasted over 13 years was an insight of what many believe is more to come. We have been very fortunate to have received all this winter rain and hopefully it continues into spring and summer (preferably at night so we can really enjoy those sunny warm days outside). You may be aware by now that water restrictions have been down-graded to Stage 2 across Melbourne. As a horticulturist and environmentalists I encourage people within Melbourne to continue the smart water conservation practices that have become part of life for years now. It’s not difficult and you can achieve a beautiful full lush garden. Here are some tips and a quick run down of what Stage 2 means for you if you live in Melbourne. Our country cousins will remain on the various water restrictions and your local water authority is best place to advise you of changes (if any) that may happen.

GARDENING TIPS

• Use plants that tolerate low water conditions and group plants with like requirements in your garden.
• Redesign your garden to include a low water tolerant plants and a manual/automatic dripper system.  
• Understand your gardens possibilities and limitations in an inherently dry continent and climate.
• Water deeply to encourage deep root growth and therefore less often than shallow rooted plants.
• Mulch your garden with a composted mulch. I like to use a blend of mushroom and eucy mulch. Mulch at 50 – 75mm deep only, any more and you will have problems actually getting water deep into the soil and root profile. Best to mulch a couple of times a year with the right mulch to enhance and grow your garden.
• Seek professional advice 

BE WISE WITH YOUR MULCH
You may be wondering why your garden isn’t growing and yet you have had it planted out and mulched. I am finding with clients and other gardens that often people have mulched with uncomposted mulch very thickly which has caused the soil profile to become hydrophobic as the water just isn’t getting to the soil. That and the mulch is trying to breakdown and compost while on the garden beds. If you have this problem, you can either remove the mulch and start again with the good stuff, or find other areas in your garden to spread it out and introduce a slim layer of composted mulch, until it breaks down.

Note - Lawns still cannot be watered at any time

WHEN CAN YOU WATER
Even and no-numbered properties can water on even dates
Odd numbered properties can water on odd dates
Everyone can water on the 31st of the month.

HOW 

1. Manual dripper systems and trigger-nozzle fitted hoses can be used on specified watering days between 6 – 8 am and 8 – 10 pm.
2. 
   
   If someone in your household is 70 years or over you can use a manual watering system between 8 – 10 am instead of 6 – 8 am, and between 8 – 10 pm.  
3. Automatic watering systems can be used between midnight – 4 am.  
4. Hand watering any time using a watering can, bucket or hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle.

Car washing
At any time by bucket filled directly from a tap or a high pressure water cleaning device only. A hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle can not be used.

Pools and spas
An existing pool or spa can be topped up using a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or a watering can or bucket, filled either by a hand held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, or directly from a tap. A new pool or spa of up to 2,000 litres can be filled with drinking water. A new pool or spa greater than 2,000 litres must have a Water Conservation Plan.