It's dry. The ground is dry, the dams are dry, the air is dry, and the plants are dry. At this time of year, we look at our gardens and wonder why we bother in this harsh and unforgiving climate. However, it is possible to have a lush and green garden, even when water is scarce. Over the next month, I am going to give you a few ideas about how to make the most of our most precious resource - water, and how to keep your garden looking good all summer.

Don't let weeds take over. Weeds are greedy little plants, and they will take as much moisture away from your prized plants as they can. Make sure your garden beds are well weeded, and weed around any trees or shrubs growing in lawn. They don't like grass growing right up to their trunk.

Mulch. Everyone has their own theories on mulch. Mine is this: mulch all gardens heavily (at least 15 cms deep) with sugarcane or uncut lucerne hay. Lucerne is better for feeding the soil, but sugarcane is cheaper. You can use anything you like as long as it is organic (that is, it was once alive). Inorganic mulches(such as gravel) just compact the soil. Make sure that the soil is damp before mulching.

Drip Irrigation is most efficient. If your garden already has microsprayers fitted, take them out and replace them with drippers. I prefer the brown dripper hose, but you can alter an existing system by adding individual drippers. Drippers can be placed under mulch, so that there is absolutely NO wastage. Run them for long enough to give the soil a good soaking once a week - this could mean 12 hours, but you will get familiar with your own system.

Happy gardening.
Kathy