Secrets to thriving garden amid dry conditions
IF we want to see gardens become more verdant going forward, we need to take more drastic measures in response to the El Niño phenomenon that is upon us.
The Premier Guest Lodge — located on Byron Way in Hillside, Harare — amply demonstrates that beauty can still be achieved when water is scarce.
In the background of this facility is a water-wise landscape, which is carefully arranged to give an aesthetically pleasing outlook.
In the face of dry weather conditions, there is need to choose drought-tolerant plants such as succulents and cacti. You can go for the agave, the aloe, the kalanchoe and the mesmebryanthemum.
Adopt water conservation techniques such as mulching. Mulching means covering the soil around plants with various materials such as grass, pine bark, moss and pebbles to minimise the evaporation of water.
Instead of having a lot of small plants per square metre, incorporate other features in the landscape. These include sculpture, furniture, paving and trees.
A lot of water goes to waste during watering. You, therefore, need to use advanced watering methods such as drip irrigation or micro-jet systems as they deliver water directly to each plant, as opposed to overhead sprinklers or hosepipes.
When the water situation is dire, totally abandon planting in the ground. Use pots, instead. Potted plants use less water. These can be watered even once a week. You, therefore, end up conserving water.
Try watering the garden early in the morning so that plants take advantage of the low temperature to absorb more water.
Always water the garden frequently and deeply. Stick to the planned watering schedule as this maintains moisture, as opposed to allowing the garden to dry out completely.
Move with the times by incorporating timers on your drip irrigation. Timers allow you to conserve water, as opposed to leaving the watering to go on for hours.
Keep the garden free of weeds, as these compete with your plants for nutrients and moisture.
Finally, maintain a healthy soil. This can be achieved by applying lots of organic matter into the soil, which allows for good water retention.
A lot of water goes to waste during watering. You, therefore, need to use advanced watering methods such as drip irrigation or microjet systems as they deliver water directly to each plant, as opposed to overhead sprinklers or hosepipes.