There are loads of ways you can use less water in your garden. Find out more ...

Despite the high summer rainfall figures in 2009/2010 for provinces such as Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, authorities maintain that Gauteng’s growth will exceed available water capacity by 2015. Like electricity, a scarcity of water is likely to result in the rise of municipal water prices.

National Water Week takes place from March 15-19, 2010, with World Water Day being celebrated on March 22. ‘Working Together We Can Do More’ is the theme of the 2010 National Water Week (March 15-19) which leads up to World Water Day (March 22).

What can the home gardener do to conserve water? Consider these tried and tested practices that conserve water:

Mulch the soil - Mulching the soil around plants to a depth of 5cm helps to conserve water in the soil and you will not need to water so frequently. Organic mulch is also highly beneficial for plants as organic materials eventually decompose and adds nutrient to the soil. In addition mulch keeps the roots of plants cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. If a heavy frost strikes, you are less likely to lose frost-sensitive plants that are mulched. Even if the branches die, the roots produce new shoots in spring.

Make compost - Put all your grass and garden clippings, as well as weeds that have not set seed onto a compost heap. Even when it is only partially decomposed compost is invaluable as mulch for the garden.

Keep fallen leaves - Allow the leaves that fall from deciduous plants into your borders to remain there as an extra mulch.

Plant trees -  A garden shaded with trees needs less water during the summer months. Autumn is a good time to plant trees as the roots can become established during the winter. Make sure you select a tree with low water requirements. Why not choose one that is also eco-friendly, such as an indigenous acacia? Raise the soil around the outer edge of the planting hole to form a basin that will hold water around the tree roots.

Adjust your watering schedule - As the days and nights become cooler your plants will need less watering. So reset your irrigation system to a less frequent schedule. A good tip is to water your garden early in the morning or in the late afternoon to minimise water loss from evaporation. If plants in your garden are prone to fungal attacks, rather water in the morning only.

Water deeply but less frequently - Water trees, shrubs and large perennials less often, but more deeply, to encourage them to send out deep roots. Plants with a strong, deep root system will be happy for weeks or months. Consider installing drip irrigation which is the most water smart irrigation system on the market.

Use gels - Mix water-retaining polymer gels into the soil when planting up borders and containers. Also used in products such as disposable diapers, the polymers soak up water and release it slowly to the roots of plants..

Choose water smart plants - These need less frequent watering than identified ‘waterholic’ plants. For a sunny area, try agapanthus, aloes, bush violets (Barleria spp.), dymondia, Euphorbia species, gazania and succulents such as crassula and echeveria. For shade, choose the ribbon bush, Asparagus species and wild iris (Dietes species).