Harvest your rainwater

Drought is an ever-present threat in Australia, and gardeners are particularly aware of its effects. Rainwater harvesting, which means collecting and storing rainwater, is a growing industry with more than five million tanks now spread around all states. Most state governments are legislating or offering incentives for the inclusion of water storage tanks in new and some existing homes and buildings.

The old iconic corrugated iron tank propped up on tree trunks has been superseded by a sophisticated range of water storage options. These range from massive steel storage containers to slim-line polyethylene tanks that come in a galaxy of colours and fit snugly under the overhanging eaves, to soft bladders that can hold up to about 20,000L and are designed to go under the house or deck. They are all used to gather rainwater from the roof and direct it into the tank. Modern gutter protection systems keep gutters clean of debris and enable easy water collection. There are a number of websites that outline the pluses and minuses of the various options.

Don’t forget, too, there are some simple things you can do in the garden to make the most of any rainwater.

Dig drains to carry water to parts of the garden where it’s most needed. Create swales (water-gathering depressions) on sloping ground, or cut and fill to create terraces so you can capture and store moisture in the soil that would otherwise run off.