A bit of thought and care when watering your garden will save water and reduce water bills. Here’s how to grow water-wise vegetables…
The edges of the vegetable bed should be built up in order to prevent water run-off.
1. Shape of the vegetable bed
The shape of the vegetable bed must not allow water run-off.
A square or rectangular shaped vegetable bed is far better than a long, narrow vegetable bed.
The edges of the vegetable bed should be built up in order to prevent water run-off.
The flat vegetable bed allows vegetables to be planted more closely.
Keep the pathways as narrow as possible, to reduce loss of space and water.
2. Irrigation
If you water by hand, have the spray nozzle set at the appropriate width.
If you water by hand, have the spray nozzle set at the appropriate width.
An irrigation system needs to have the correct shaped sprayer for the vegetable bed. Drip irrigation may be used, should the vegetable beds be large.
3. Water wise practices
Combine water retaining granules like Stockosorb and Terrasorb with the soil.
For Stockosorb, mix 3g of dry mix into one square metre of soil to a depth of 10cm.
For Terrasorb, mix 50g with 10 litres of water, then mix this gel into five square metres of soil to a depth of 10cm.
Prepare a drill no more than five times the depth of the seed and then water. Once this is complete, sow the seeds and cover them with a layer of grass clippings or other suitable mulch.
In closely spaced parallel rows, sow some carrots, beets, radish, turnips etc. to reduce the area required. When the plants are young and ready to harvest, remove the alternate plants to make space for the remaining plants to mature.
Containers can be used to grow vegetables requiring large amounts of water like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Containers can also be used to create various combinations of vegetables and plants, allowing for an interesting and well-presented display or focal point.
Vegetables germinate at different rates and it is therefore important to consider sowing slow germinating plants such as egg plants, leeks, celery and tomatoes together, and fast germinating plants such as radish, lettuce, cabbage and broccoli together.
4. Mulching
Various mulching materials can be used, ranging from grass through to plastic sheeting.
Always ensure that your garden beds are well-mulched.
Mulching under plants such as strawberries, marrows and pumpkins will keep the produce off the ground, preventing rotting and reduce soil splash.
Use your sunny, high water use zones to grow both vegetables and flowers. Many vegetables are attractive, and blend well in the garden to achieve a pleasant aesthetic. Examples of such plants include lettuce (many decorative varieties), chives, kale, parsley, radish, cauliflower and spinach.
5. The edible garden
This is a new and ideal concept especially for small and townhouse gardens.
Use your sunny, high water use zones to grow both vegetables and flowers. Many vegetables are attractive, and blend well in the garden to achieve a pleasant aesthetic. Examples of such plants include lettuce (many decorative varieties), chives, kale, parsley, radish, cauliflower and spinach.
Use these vegetables as a border or in a mixed grouping in your high water use zone.
Mixing the vegetables and annuals in the garden will allow for harvesting of young lettuce and radish at an early stage to allow the annuals to grow to full maturity.
6. Herbs
Most herbs can tolerate much drier conditions than vegetables.
Herbs such as yarrow, wormwood, lavender, rosemary, sage and thyme will use less water and should therefore be placed in a medium to low water use zone.
Basil and parsley require more water and need to be planted in accordance.
Companion planting with herbs such as nasturtium, marigold, garlic and chives will repel insects and assist healthier vegetables.
Article courtesy of www.waterwise.co.za.
Source: www.property24.com
