USE WATER-EFFICIENT IRRIGATION METHODS

• Choose native plants with lowest irrigation requirements.
  • Pick plants that are native to the UAE or other semi-arid region. These may need up to 50% less water, less maintenance and will do better through the hot summers than species from moderate and tropical climates.
• Water your garden early in the morning or late in the evening.
  • Water your garden in the early mornings (between 5am and 9am) or late evenings only, when temperatures are at their coolest and winds are low. Much more of your water evaporates into the air in the high heat of day and when it’s windy, lost into the air instead of reaching your plants’ roots.
• Check pipelines for leaks and fix immediately
  • Once a month, inspect the area outside your home for leaks, looking for signs like:
    • Dripping taps
    • Damp spots on paving or walls
    • Leaks in hoses
    • Leaks or damage to your sprinkler heads or irrigation systems
    • Damp spots on soil where water tends to pool or never dries
    • Sunken ground or eroded areas
    • Mould or rot
    • Make note of any leaks you find and call a qualified plumber or gardener right away to fix them.
• Use irrigation controllers to automatically adjust watering times and periods
  • Add an automatic timer to your irrigation system to make it easier to water your garden during the right times. Change your settings for Summer and Winter periods.
  • Automated irrigation systems let you water the different parts of your garden as efficiently as possible, especially larger sized gardens.
• Use a nozzle to control water flow of outdoor hose
  • Always use a nozzle that turns on and off easily—don’t let your hose run freely while you turn it on and off at the source. An open, free-flowing hose can use up to 20 litres of water per minute!
• Apply soil additives to help the soil retain its moisture
  • Different types of soil absorb and drain water differently. If your soil is sandy and drains too quickly, you might consider adding soil wetting agents (crystals or gels) to help it retain its moisture for longer.

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