Stodels has selected a variety of waterwise plants for the month of February. Visit any of our branches to see our special offers on these plants. In addition to our specials see our waterwise plant list below that has been specifically identified for the cape region. Look out for these stickers on our plants to save water today. As water is a precious resource, it is vitally important to have a flexible watering schedule that adjusts to changing weather conditions therefore saving you water and money. Installing a fully automated watering system is therefore the answer to saving water as well as money. The advantage is that it is fully controllable and flexible, so can be changed at any stage to suit the weather conditions. Why water any other way?

Some helpful hints …

Water at the Right Time - Choosing to water at the cooler time of the day will ensure that you reduce evaporation. Suitable time to water will either be early in the morning or evening. The advantage of watering early in the morning is that you minimize the chance of mildew infections related to a drop in temperature and damp conditions. Your automated irrigation system can then be set to go off before dawn when evaporation rates are at their lowest. Water less often in cooler weather and more frequently; for a longer period; in the hot weather.

Avoid watering on the windy days as this is when the evaporation rates are at the highest. When we have had some good rain, stop watering for a few days, however do not forget about the plants that may be under the shelter of the overhang of the roof.

Water Deeply but Infrequently - When the soil has been watered for a longer period of time, the roots grow in a downward motion towards the moisture deeper in the soil. This enables the plants to grow better and survive longer periods without water. Allow water to reach the depth of 20cm for finer root system plants such as lawns, vegetables and herbs; and about 60 – 90cm for plants with a more robust root system such as trees and shrubs.

Water Wise Tips :

• Run-off water is considered wasted water, so avoid applying water faster that the plant can absorb it.
• Better absorption can be created by:
• Making basins around trees and shrubs;
• On sloping ground you can make terraces or pockets to hold water;
• Water clay soils lightly as the soil is more compact and absorbs at a slower rate;
• Clay soils retain more water, so less frequent watering is essential;
• Sandy soil absorbs water quickly, so water at a faster rate;
• Sweep paved pathways rather than using water to spray the dirt away;
• When you wash your car, use a bucket of water instead of using the hosepipe

To view a list of available WaterWise plants for the Cape click here