EACH year at this time I begin to consider the heat and water usage - this year Hunter Water has set the guidelines for gardeners.
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The new Waterwise rules simply mean all hand-held hoses must be fitted with a trigger nozzle and sprinklers and watering systems can only be used before 10am and after 4pm.
Gardeners will cope just fine, we have always been careful water users, but I'm never sure why the garden is targeted in water saving.
I don't have a swimming pool and, trust me, I never wash my car (it is a work horse), so like many gardeners I wonder why there is no restriction on filling pools or washing cars.
There is a consolation I can offer you. After carefully searching Hunter Water's website I discovered new gardens and lawns can be watered whenever you like for 14 days to establish plants and grass, even between 10am and 4pm.
This should allow new plants to be bedded without loss.
When to water has always been a common question. Early in the morning and at night does avoid evaporation, but when conditions are extreme, shallow-rooted plants such as azaleas may need rescuing in the middle of the day with a watering can.
Consider also container-grown plants and those in hanging baskets, both of which can dry out quickly on windy days - again be prepared to use the watering can in the middle of the day.
Don't forget to use a good potting mix when planting - one that contains water saving agents - even add a layer of peat moss to the surface, especially ferns, camellias and azaleas.
Mulching is the best way to keep the moisture level of the soil above wilting point - keeping the soil cool not only helps the plants but encourages worms to keep burrowing which aerates the soil.
Cow manure and mushroom compost are ideal to mulch up sandy soils - then top up gardens with sugar cane, which holds in the moisture and suppresses weeds while adding nitrogen.
Consider using wetting agents such as Searles Water Crystals, Wettasoil and Saturaid.