The Bureau of Meteorology has now declared an El-Niño weather pattern for the summer of 2023-2024. This means we're looking at a warmer, drier period than our gardens have experienced recently. Certainly, it looks as though those La Niña downpours are a thing of the past - at least, for now. If you're in Sydney and looking for tips on creating a drought-proof garden, here are a few things you can do right now.

How to drought-proof your Sydney garden

Drought-proofing tip #1: Hydrate your soil.

It's important to ensure your soils and potting mixes are nicely wettable and not hydrophobic. Hydrophobic soil actively repels water, which can happen if it dries out for too long. The result is wasted water that runs off the garden bed or down the side of the pots, never actually reaching your plant's roots. Our top product recommendation to combat hydrophobic soil is Debco Saturaid. It comes in a convenient hose-on package which is ideal for rehydrating garden beds. If you're dealing with pots that have dried out, try soaking in a big bucket of water and Saturaid. Soak until bubbles stop rising to the surface. If that doesn't work, it's time to replace your potting mix with a fresh lot and keep it well-hydrated. Got a huge pot that's too big to put in a bucket? Instead, poke several deep holes in the potting mix and pop in some water crystals (see tip 2 below!) before watering thoroughly.

 

Drought-proofing tip #2: Create a water reservoir.

When you're potting up or planting out new additions to the garden, adding water crystals to the base of the planting hole can really help. Searles Water Crystals swell up to many times their size when they come into contact with water, forming a gel that helps to keep moisture in the root zone and prevent your plants from going thirsty. You might also consider using a potting mix which comes with water crystals already incorporated, such as Flower Power’s Supersoil Professional Water Smart Potting Mix.

 

A person holds their gloved hand over an indoor pot. The pot has some potting mix inside it, and their hand is full of water crystals.</em>

Water crystals are a great addition to pots and new plantings.

 

Drought-proofing tip#3: Build healthy soil.

To help your soil hold on to water more effectively, you need to feed and nourish it. The best way to do this is by adding plenty of organic matter. Humus-rich products will add essential nutrients and trace elements into the soil, making it both healthier for your plants and better at retaining moisture. Supersoil Professional Enriched Soil Improver and Supersoil Professional Enriched Cow Manure are two great options here. You can also use products like Neutrog Popul8 Advanced Soil Biologicals, which adds good bacteria into your soil. Click here for some more advice on keeping your soil healthy all year long.

 

Drought-proofing tip #4: Cover up.

Keep garden beds well-mulched with a good layer of organic material, which will help to trap moisture in the soil and prevent evaporation to the extent possible. As a bonus it'll help to smother weeds, preventing root competition in the soil which also hinders water access. We always recommend Martins Organic Sugar Cane Mulch for this purpose as it breaks down nicely to feed the soil, too. Because organic mulch decomposes over time, you'll need to add to it regularly so it can keep doing its job.

 

A gardener wearing black gloves spreads handfuls of straw mulch around lettuce seedlings.

An organic mulch will help to retain soil moisture - vital in dry periods.

 

Drought-proofing tip #5: Plant wisely.

What's the best way to ensure your garden survives a dry spell? Choose a range of plants that don't need a lot of moisture. Succulents store water in their fleshy foliage, making them incredibly drought-hardy, while Mediterranean plants like lavender and olives alongside a range of Australian natives are well-adapted to dry conditions. Click here for some suggestions on beautiful, drought-tolerant plants you can add to your Sydney garden - you'd be surprised at how many there are!

 

Drought-proofing tip #6: Protect your plants.

Spray your plants’ foliage with Yates WaterWise DroughtShield – this spray forms a flexible polymer film that grows and moves with the plant. It lasts for up to 90 days and helps to limit transpiration of water through the foliage by up to 50%. The benefit for your plants? They can hold onto moisture for longer, while being protected from hot, dry weather.

 

A person is spraying Yates Waterwise Drought Shield onto some potted viburnums.

Yates Waterwise DroughtShield is a fantastic product for a range of outdoor plants.

 

Drought-proofing tip #7: Water the right way.

Did you know there's a right and a wrong way to water? It's all about maximising the amount of water that gets to your plants' roots, and if you get it right, it could save you money, too. Here are a few tips:

  • Water either early in the morning or later in the evening. By avoiding watering in the hottest part of the day, you're allowing the water time to seep down to the roots of your plants before the sun starts the evaporation process. This means your plants get the most benefit from the water you provide.
  • Water directly around the root zone of your plants. Doing so will mean you actually use less water for the same impact. When water lands on foliage or flowers, it's often wasted as it doesn't reach the plant's roots.
  • Water your plants deeply and less frequently, to encourage deeper root growth and less reliance on frequent surface-level watering. You'll end up with stronger and more resilient plants that are better equipped to deal with dry periods.

For more info on Sydney Water's Water Wise Guidelines (which are best practice for watering all the time!), click here.

 

Drought-proofing tip #8: Irrigation works!

Watering gardens manually can take a lot of time and effort. It can also be a particular problem if you're busy at work or going away on holidays. A drip irrigation system with timers is a great set-and-forget solution to ensure your plants are always getting enough water to keep them happy. And they're not just for garden beds - drip irrigation is great for pots, too! You can get all the equipment you need to build a DIY drip irrigation system here.  DIY not your thing? Call in our Flower Power Garden Care experts, who can get it all set up for you. Get in touch here!