Hose nozzles
Significant water is lost as we amble back
to the tap, or move between different
areas of the garden. Using an adjustable
hose nozzle allows you to turn the water
off instantly and start again instantly. A
nozzle with multiple spray settings means
you can choose the appropriate setting
for the job, from targeted high pressure
to a water-saving mist. It may be tempting
to keep old, non-adjustable nozzles (or
no nozzle at all), but the investment and
water savings from adjustable nozzles
are significant and well worth it for your
bill and the environment.
Run-off, evaporation and wind all waste
water. Wand-style hose heads extend the
hose’s reach and allow you to deliver water
directly to the root zone of plants instead
of onto the leaves, or the surrounding
mulch or into the prevailing wind. They
are also helpful for reaching hanging
baskets. Also, directing watering to the
roots of plants and keeping water off
leaves reduces the risk of fungal diseases.Hose reels
If you habitually kink your hose or leave
it laying about, consider investing in
one of the more expensive non-kinking
hoses and/or a retractable hose reel
to make watering easier (and keep your
frustration levels low). With the cheaper
semi-manual models you guide the hose in
yourself, turning a wheel. Fully retractable
reels are spring loaded, so you can drawthe hose to any length, then give it a
tug and it rolls itself up again, without
tangling or kinking. Once you’ve tried
these, you won’t go back. Models may
be wall-mounted or portable. Good
brands include Holman (holmanindustries.
com.au), Hozelock (hozelock.com.au)
and Neta (netagarden.com.au).Soaker hoses
Soaker hoses offer a low-tech and
easy-to-install irrigation solution. They
release water gradually through tiny
holes along the length of the hose, so
there’s less water lost as run-off, and
more seeping into plant roots. They are
simple to lay and can be hidden with
mulch. Most soaker hoses work optimally
at a specific water pressure, so you may
have to keep the tap turned on only part
way, or purchase and install a pressure
modulator. Soaker hoses aren’t suitable
for use with bore or dam water as
particles of dirt will block holes over time.Wobble sprinklers
Sprinklers have come a long way since
the simple brass model kids used to jump
through. Today’s designs are more water
efficient and provide a deep soaking to
plant roots. Both wobble style and
low-flow sprinklers modify the water
droplet form and trajectory to minimise
evaporation losses and wind drift, and
offer a slow application rate to ensure the
water is not lost to puddling and run-off.Waterproof your garden
I enjoy watering my garden at dusk. Unfortunately, I am absentminded and
prone to kinking the hose or parking it on a plant and wandering off. Luckily
for me, the latest garden watering products prioritise water efficiency,
making watering a breeze and combating forgetfulness!Make the right choice
When choosing new products for the garden, always read the product
reviews online first as some designs function much better than others.
In addition, aim to use water saving products, such as those labelled with
the Smart Approved Watermark (smartwatermark.org/products/?page=1).
Last, consider your eco footprint and choose products with recycled
content or that can be recycled themselves at end of life. Happy watering!organicgardener.com.au^43
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