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​Tip Store: Gardening: Watering

​Don't Waste Out of Date Milk

If you have a little out of date milk mix it 50/50 with water and give it to your plants, the soil benefits from the calcium in the milk. Don't use straight milk as it may encourage ants around the plants.
Contributed by Jackie Pallister

Editor's note: Tomatoes especially like a  little drink of milk. The calcium helps to prevent blossom end rot. I usually rinse out the milk bottles over the tomatoes before they are squashed to go into the recycle bin.  Cath

​Saving Water in Winter for Summer Veggies

When we built our new home on our daughter's property we had to start using tank water. This put pressure on us to save water. By the time the hot water reached our kitchen sink for washing up, it took some wasted water to do so. I saved our two litre plastic milk bottles and ran the water into one of these until it was hot enough to wash up. I started doing this in winter and stockpiled the water-filled bottles, and when I had to start using water for the vegetable garden, I began using the stockpile of water. Once I used up all of the stockpile, I started using the daily saved water on the food plants which I had on my verandah. By doing this I was conserving water, and re-cycling the plastic milk bottles. After I had used the bottles for the second time, I then re-cycled them again by sending them to the recycling centre.
​Contributed by Lorrain, Latrobe, 11th March 2010

​Balance the Watering to Avoid Back Strain

Approximate $ Savings: Hundreds of dollars from chiropractor fees

​ To avoid back strain, fill empty, clean 3 litre bottles with tank water to water plants instead of carrying a bucket. If you carry two bottles at a time this also develops muscles as you are weightlifting. Contributed by Anne, Esk, 11th October 2009

​Catch, Freeze, Water

​Like most people in Australia nowadays we collect the water that would previously have gone down the sink (i.e. the cold tap water while waiting for it to warm). I use a large ice cream container to catch the water in. I then freeze the containers of water and put the frozen blocks out in the garden (usually around the trees that get little watering) overnight when the temperature has cooled. The blocks take hours to melt giving the tree a slow but deep watering. Saves water and also helps save the garden. Contributed by Andrea, Balwyn, 1st February 2009

​Greywater for the Garden

Approximate $ Savings: Approximately $320 a year

We do three loads of washing a day and when using the washing machine, instead of letting the water go down the drain I take the hose out and let the soapy water drain into a bucket then use it to water my hanging baskets of cherry tomatoes. I have three so I only water the top with excess water and it seeps through the basket into the remaining baskets underneath it. I use this to water as much of my front and back garden as possible.
​Contributed by Alexis, Stirling, 5th January 2009

​Water Your Garden the Easy Way!

I avoid using grey water on my fruit and veggies. We use water from our rain tank but we found using a watering can time consuming and the watering was heavy. We picked up a seeper hose and buried this in between the plants. This is connected to a short garden hose which is then connected to the water tank. The first time we used the hose we ran it for half an our before we saw moisture on the surface. The next time we ran it for fifteen minutes. We now run it for ten minutes as the ground near the plants is still moist from the previous watering. Even on a day of 35 degrees the plants were still standing strong. All I have to do to water my veggies is turn a tap. Our first hose was from the Reject Shop for $10. It does snap so handle with care whilst placing it in the soil. It's fine once it's down. For our next veggie patch we bought a superior one from Home Hardware on sale for $11 (normally $25.25). Keep an eye out for the sales.
​Contributed by Susanne, Melton, 14th January 2009

​You Can Use Anything That Holds Water as a Tank

We use a council wheelie green bin as a water container. This bin was given out for the green rubbish but now it has the down pipe running water into it when it rains. We also collect containers that shops throw out such as disinfectant drums etc and wash them clean. We can then use them to store water for the garden and washing machine. We also use buckets with lids on them and old plastic barrels to collect water.
​Contributed by Katrina, Heathcote, 28th October 2008

​Swap a Talent for a Tank

If you are looking for a water tank why not see if you could buy a tank through LETS (Local Enterprise Trading Scheme), if there is one in your area? Alternatively, you could try a 'scratch and dent' sale. I saw a sign on the weekend for a scratch and dent tank sale at Formit Rainwater Tanks, Fountaindale, NSW. Contact them and see if they had any that didn't sell. www.formit.com.au.
Contributed by Patricia, North Gosford, 28th October 2008
​ Website: www.formit.com.au

​Second-hand Tank and Greywater Keep Gardens Green

Well, my garden and lawn had been suffering over the past few years due to the cost and the no watering conditions, so I purchased a 200 litre tank off eBay for $20.00 and put a hose and tap on the side (purchased form Bunnings) . I then run a hose from the washing machine (with a family of 6 there is plenty of washing.) I have the tank elevated and can now water all my plants and lawn for a total cost of just $26.00. Every one thought I was mad, but they have changed their minds now we have the greenest of lawns. I also wash down the patios and garden furniture as it has built in suds! I was looking at tanks for $650.00 but now I have 3 of these tanks and they are working fine.
​Contributed by Kim, Abbotsbury, 28th October 2008

​Barrels off eBay Do the Job

You can basically turn any water-tight container into a water tank, depending on what you are planning on using the tank for example household use, watering the garden. Bunnings have some large plastic barrels on special but I have found some good smaller containers (for collecting water for the garden) on eBay. Plastic barrels and even unused wheelie bins make great tanks and hardware stores will attach taps and hose connections for only a few dollars.
​Contributed by Amber, Catani, 28th October 2008

​Ask Around, You May Get One Free

Most Australian States have a rebate scheme for installation of water tanks. For example, until the end of June 2009, in NSW, after you have paid the installation and all fees and charges, you are eligible to apply for a rebate of between $1,150 and $1,500, depending on the size of the tank you have had installed. I know each State differs in the rebate offered, but it would be well worth doing a Google search. As well, maybe research freecycle.org.au a website where people exchange unwanted items in order to reduce landfill. You just might be surprised and I personally know people who have actually been given free water tanks. It can and does happen!! Hope some of these ideas help.
​Contributed by Lois, Medowie, 28th October 2008
​Website: www.freecycle.org.au

​Old Style Rubbish Bins Make Great Water Containers

Most hardware stores have 'fold-up' water tanks available for around $350, although I don't know how safe this water would be for drinking it would be fantastic to keep your garden/grass alive. We've bought a few rubbish bins from our local hardware store and fill these up from guttering and the washing machine and then hose this onto our garden and grass - again you can't drink the water, but our gardens are looking respectable in the middle of country Victoria in a drought!
​Contributed by Kelli, Horsham, 28th October 2008

​Use a Wheelie Bin to Make a Portable Water Tank

Contact your local council or waste disposal contractor to see if you can 'purchase' a damaged or old wheelie bin - you then drill a hole at the bottom, insert a tap which can be purchased from your local hardware store for about $8. Not as big as a tank but very easy to keep filling with your own waste water and when it rains you simply open the lid and let the bin fill up with rainwater.
​Contributed by Ruth, Wodonga, 28th October 2008

​Check Rebates Available Before Purchase

www.savewater.com.au/products/rebates-incentives. Most states offer a partial rebate on the purchase and installation of a permanent rainwater tank.
Contributed by Victoria, Craigieburn, 28th October 2008
​ Website: www.savewater.com.au/products/rebates-incentives

​Get a Wet Wheelie, They're Great

We live in a unit but have quite a lot of garden to maintain. My husband said we couldn't afford a tank but he felt sorry for me lugging all the washing machine water around in buckets so he bought me a 'wet wheelie bin'. This is a large bin like the council ones but it has a pump in it. It has a hole in the top where you connect your hose from the washing machine and a hose on the other site which you use to water the garden when the pump is turned on. I use Earth Choice products which are phosphate free and CHEAP! One washing load waters my whole garden and nothing has died in the year I have been using it. Ours cost about $400 at a show but someone told me you can get a DYI kit at Bunnings. Have a look on www.wetwheelie.com for more info. I love it!
Contributed by Barb, Maribyrnong, 28th October 2008
​ Website: www.wetwheelie.com

​DIY Conversion Creates a New Water Tank

My husband converted an unused dumper to a water tank by putting in a tap at the bottom, and a downpipe converter for this from Bunnings. We now have 2 water tanks using an old unused rubbish bin as an overflow by putting an overflow pipe higher on the dumper. Only cost the parts for the taps and overflow.
​Contributed by Lesley, Noble Park, 28th October 2008

​Country Clearing Sale Yields Two Great Water Tanks

We needed a water tank some time ago but found the cost was ridiculous. We ended up going to a clearing sale in the country (doesn't have to be far from the city, just somewhere where they don't have town water). We bought 2 tanks for $60, one was in very good condition, the other needed a few repairs. Even with the cost of transport you would still save heaps. Sydney Water has full DIY instructions on application so that you can set it up yourself.
​Contributed by Penny, Cherrybrook, 28th October 2008

​Make Your Own Water Butt

There is a really good post on a forum at www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1645. It's all about how someone made a wooden water butt out of old pieces of wood and some plastic. It makes very interesting reading and it also has photos. Sadly it's a UK web site and his water butt eventually received too much water and wet weather and rotted. But hopefully that wouldn't happen here in Oz. Selfsufficientish.com is also a very useful web site for all Cheapskaters.
Contributed by Ruth, Albany Creek, 28th October 2008
​ Website: www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1645

​Make a Water Tank Bank

You could buy some of the black garbage bins from Bunnings (about $10 each) and link them all together with some small pvc pipe siliconed in around the bottom. If you have enough room at the side of your house or garage you can get quite a few of these bins in, just direct the guttering into the first one and get the overflow into the rest. I also use one of these bins with a soaker hose attached at the bottom in my garden beds. Works a treat and I only need to fill up the bin once a week so it saves time standing there watering all the plants.
​Contributed by Tanya, Ferntree Gully, 28th October 2008

​Easy Indoor Watering

I found this tip online and just had to try it. It is a brilliant time saver as well as saving me from over watering my indoor plants. When watering indoor plants, use ice cubes that melt slowly and do not drench the plants. This is a good tip for seniors who do not want to carry a heavy watering can to the plant location. This technique also works for children who are learning to water in moderation, especially when water is so scarce and we are all on severe restrictions.
​Contributed by Anne, Melbourne, 1st June 2008

​Take Note of Waste Water

I got my husband to attach a flexible hose to the air-conditioning waste water and now can water several plants while we keep cool.
​Contributed by Vanessa, McLaren Vale, 5th January, 2007

​$7.50 Keeps Garden Green During the Drought

Like most Australian's I am becoming more careful about my families water usage. Unfortunately my 9y/o likes to spend ages showering, to shorten her time I recently bought a cheap kitchen timer. Now I set the timer to 7min on hair washing day and 4min every other shower and when it rings she gets out. Now she's testing herself to see if she can "beat the clock". I also spent $7.50 on a water diverter that connects to the shower drain and the end of my hose, using the shower water to water thirsty plants. I am not only saving on water bills, more importantly precious water is no longer just going down the drain.
​Contributed by Clare, Morwell, 4th January, 2007

​Unique Watering System

After hurting my back carting water to the lawn, my husband and I did some investigating for an easier solution. We found a 55-litre bucket at Bunnings for around $12.00 and a small fishpond pump for $20. The bucket is big enough to stand in and takes four minutes to fill. The kids stand in the bucket while showering. Once the bucket is full the taps are turned off. If they want to stay in longer they sit in the bucket and have a bath. (My children are 7 and 9) Our fishpond pump is then placed into the bucket to drain the water. A hose is fed from the pump through the window into our gardening bin. A hose outlet has been attached to the bottom of the wheelie bin to allow the water to drain through a hose onto the garden. We also have a heavier pump that can pump the water from the bin through a small sprinkler. No more carting water! Also the kids' showers are shorter as they have a visual signal of when four minutes are up.
​Contributed by Susanne, Melton, 26th January, 2007

​Hose Extensions for Greywater Watering

​With water restrictions becoming more and more stringent, a great tip for the environment that saves money too is to buy a hose extension from Bunnings or any good hardware store. These attach to your washing machine or dishwasher. When using the appliance run the hose out onto the garden to water where you want. They are long and relatively inexpensive - they pay for themselves in no time. Contributed by Sharon, Fulham, December 28th 2006

​Micro Irrigation System

We live out west and with water being a limited commodity I have set up a micro irrigation system over my veggie garden. It is connected to a timer, which waters in the middle of night. Saving me time and water. I am new to your website, but LOVE your work.
​Contributed by Maree, Pentland, April 5th 2005

​Tea Bag Water Savers for Pot Plants

Save water - keep used teabags, soak in water for approximately 10minutes, then place them about 5cm under the soil of your pot plants. This swill not only save you water but give your plants nutrition as well. This is especially helpful if you spend a few days from home.
​Contributed Gwyneth, Corlette, March 6th 2005

​More Effective Watering of Trees

​I live in an area with heavy clay soil and whenever I want to establish a new tree I get an empty plastic drink bottle. I drill some small holes in the base and bury the bottle next to the tree on the upside with just the top protruding. Water applied from on top usually just runs off, but by filling the bottle, it gradually soaks the roots and waters more effectively. By replacing the cap all the water has to go out downwards so none is lost to evaporation, and it costs nothing, as you are re-using garbage. Contributed by Frank, Wandong, November 4th 2006

​Watering Cans

​I use large plastic bottles with screw caps (fruit juice or rice containers etc) as watering cans. I drill holes in the lids, fill with tank water and leave them near my seedlings and small pots. Doing this I don't have to turn on the hose to water just a few pots and the plants are regularly watered as it's no effort, rather than dragging a hose to them every day. And it saves our precious rainwater. Contributed by Rachel, Alice Springs, August 12th 2006

​Water Saver for Plants

With water restrictions and warmer weather it is sometimes difficult to ensure pot plants retain enough moisture. You can buy special granules from Nurseries (Water-Magic 250gm for $10.95 for example) or you can use the granules in disposable nappies. I have used Huggies as well as one of the supermarket brands (the supermarket brands do have a little less granules.) Just tear open the un-used disposable nappy over newspaper to reduce the mess and collect the granules and mix with your potting mix as you would the Water-magic granules. Huggies infant nappies are 32 for $14.99 yielding close to 3 times the jar of Water Magic giving a saving of $15 minimum, whereas Black and Gold infant nappies mediums 20 for $6.45 would yield at least 1 and a half jars giving a minimum saving of nearly $10.
​– Contributed by Anne, Broadview, January 4th, 2006

​How Much Water?

​Gardens need 30ml (an inch in imperial measurements) of water a week. But how do you know low long to water to get that amount? Put a can, a pot or a glass under your sprinkler and see how long it takes for the container to collect 30ml of water. Gardens need 30ml (an inch in imperial measurements) of water a week. But how do you know low long to water to get that amount? Put a can, a pot or a glass under your sprinkler and see how long it takes for the container to collect 30ml of water.

​No Drip Watering

​For a no drip way to water your hanging plants, place a few ice cube on top of the soil. This is ok for all plants except a tropical or tender-leaf variety, such as African Violets or Orchids.

​When to Water

​If you're not sure whether an indoor plant needs watering, poke your index finger into the potting mix (about 2.5cm should do it). If the mix is moist and clings to your finger, don't water. If it's dry and your finger comes out clean, water!

​Drip Irrigation

​Use old garden hoses to drip irrigate your garden. Cut holes along the length of the hose, and lay along plants. You'll save water and your plants will be healthy and happy.