Water Wise Gardening
Outdoor watering on the Sunshine Coast causes local water demand to double during the dry summer months. By reducing your landscape’s water demands through the planting of “Xeriscape” (using water wise plants), we as a community can reduce stress to our local environments.
To assist residents and businesses alike on the Sunshine Coast, the SCRD created a Water Wise Plant Guide that gives information and ideas on modifying your landscapes so they too can become water efficient. To access this customized guide for the Sunshine Coast you can be downloaded here (please click save as; may be slow to open for some connections - 8MB).
If you still have questions about drought-tolerant plants, try using the Okanagan Xeriscape Association’s (OXA) Plant Database. This database lets you choose plants through a wide variety of options, such as light/water preferences, deer resistance and bloom colours to name just a few. Who says “Xeriscaping” has to be difficult? Click here to begin!
Healthy Lawn Tips
Managing a healthy lawn can be one of the most frustrating aspects to maintaining a yard. Green grass does not always mean flooding your lawn every day. Actually, too much water kills the grass! To help simplify the process of lawn maintenance, here is a link that will give you ways to improve the health and appearance of your lawn.
Irrigation Systems
Irrigation systems can be excellent tools for properly managing landscaping needs, but only if they are programmed correctly and maintained regularly. To better assist irrigation system owners and operators in optimizing efficiency, please take a look at the operator’s manuals below, familiarizing yourself with the equipment. Remember, you are responsible for the operations of your irrigation system so a general knowledge of manual shutoffs and timer programming is highly recommended.
Operator's Manuals:
Rain Sensors:
The future is about efficiency; using only what we need, when we need it. When it comes to irrigation systems this includes installing a rain sensor.
What is a rain sensor?
A rain sensor is a device that temporarily disables an irrigation system when it ‘senses’ rain. When the rain ends and the surrounding environment has had an opportunity to absorb the moisture, the sensor automatically enables the irrigation system back on to its previously set schedule.
What is its purpose?
Rain sensors prevent an irrigation system from operating in the rain. This prevents over-watering, an action that leads to a reduction in your landscape’s drought tolerance and an increase in its susceptibility to pest infestations. These devices also save thousands of litres of water by responsibly watering your landscape when it actually needs it.
Where can you get one?
Many hardware stores and landscaping businesses on the Sunshine Coast stock this item or can order it in upon request.
Rain Barrels
Have you ever wanted to build your own rain barrel but have never known where to start?
Here are some guidelines to assist you in your rain barrel construction. Click here
The SCRD would like to sincerely thank the OXA for providing the “Xeriscape” resource referenced above.
