The 7 Secrets of Waterwise Gardening have been developed in consultation with some of Australia's leading garden experts and they are guaranteed to help cut water consumption and household water bills.

In this section

1. Planning and preparation
Careful planning is the key to saving water in the garden. Try to:

• Group plants with similar water needs in specific areas for more efficient watering.
• Set windbreaks to protect delicate species and to reduce water needs.

2. Improve the soil
Soil moisture content is vital to the health of any plant. Most sandy soils have a low organic matter level, which means that water and nutrients pass rapidly through the soil.

You can improve the organic matter of your soil by adding manure, compost and/or peat, etc. A high level of organic matter in your soil will improve plant growth, use less water and fertilisers, and promote healthier plants.

3. Grow the right plants
When choosing plants, it's important to not only consider size, shape, function and appearance, but also the amount of water that they will require. When you choose water efficient plants you are saving money on your water rates as well as helping to create a low maintenance garden. Many plants, particularly some of our Australian native species, grow and flourish on very little water. You can find many popular varieties in our list of drought tolerant plants.

4. Reduce grassed areas
Lawns require more water than other areas of your garden, and therefore offer the best opportunity to help you conserve water and save money. Lawn areas should be designed to be practical and useful and not just used as a fill-in area in your garden. You can reduce your lawn area using paving or by planting ground covers.

The type of grass you choose is also important. Some drought resistant grasses include Windsor-green, Santa Anna Bluegrass, Greenlees Park and Wintergreen. Your local nursery or Water Saver Garden Centre can offer valuable advice on water efficient grasses.

5. Water wisely
The ideal watering system is one which will deliver water directly to plant roots in the correct quantities. A lot of water can be saved with an efficient, well-designed watering system. Drippers, tap timers, trigger hoses, and micro-irrigation systems should be used to deliver water in the most efficient manner. Your local Water Saver Garden Centre or irrigation professional can offer valuable advice.

6. Use more mulch
A layer of good mulch, at least 75mm thick, reduces evaporation from the soil surface by as much as 70 per cent. Mulch also discourages weed growth, prevents erosion and evens out soil temperature variations. Every part of the garden can be mulched. Ensure that the mulch is kept clear of tree trunks and plant stems to avoid possible fungal problems. Mulches may be of plant origin like peat or woodchips, or inorganic like gravel, crushed brick or blue metal. All can be used to great effect as a landscape feature. Read more about Mulch.

7. Garden maintenance
The above six secrets will not only lead to a significant reduction in water use but also in the amount of time and effort you spend in your garden. However, a water efficient garden requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains healthy. Your irrigation system should be regularly checked, mulches topped up, and any new planting should be in line with the planned objective of saving water.