Keeping the grass green in the Dry
Updated July 2021. Even though we're in the Dry, don't forget to keep your garden and lawn watered, whilst still being water smart, and playing your part in looking after Darwin's water supply.
Updated 13 July 2021
During the Dry Season your lawns, garden beds and native plants have to deal with six to seven months of no rain at all, so it is important to know how to keep them healthy without over watering.
In Darwin, we all love our beautiful green gardens and lawns. However we use more water than can be captured and supplied in the long term, so it's important to keep them healthy, but not overwater them - AND play your part in being water smart.
When setting the watering schedules for your irrigation system zones, consider what plant types you are watering and follow the 3, 2, 1 Guide:
Follow the 3, 2, 1 guide
- 3: Water LAWN three times a week.
- 2: Water your GARDEN twice a week.
- 1: Water NATIVE PLANTS just once a week or less
Water before 6am and after 8pm
It’s best to try to water after 8pm and before 6am to avoid evaporation during the heat of the day.
Great gardens need great irrigation schedules. Irrigation scheduling is mainly about two things:
- Wetting the right depth of soil
- Watering at the right frequency
More water doesn’t mean a better garden. If you water too frequently your plants will be shallow rooted and nutrients will be washed away. Even if you put lots of water on every day, roots will not grow deep and will only be able to access a small amount of groundwater and nutrients.
Different plant types need different amounts of water at different intervals. If you're planning your garden, or putting in new plants, think about grouping your plants according to how much water they need. You can then set up you irrigation into zones so that you can water each group of plants just the right amount according to their needs.
Get a free Garden Tune Up with Living Water Smart
Did you know on average 57% of household water use in Darwin is on lawns and gardens? If you want to save money and be water efficient, your irrigation is the best place to start! Organise a FREE Garden Tune Up from Living Water Smart here.
For further tips on looking after your garden in the Dry, visit Living Water Smart.
