The city of Tauranga has seen a significant seven per cent drop in peak water usage days since the introduction of its Water-Watchers Plan two years ago. This year-round plan aids residents in scheduling their water usage, advising when it’s suitable to use sprinklers and water-blasters.
Peter Bahrs, Tauranga City Council’s water services manager, is pleased with the city’s efforts to conserve water. As an avid gardener, Peter offers some water-saving gardening tips. He says, “We understand people want their vegetable gardens to thrive during summer, and we have advice to help.”
One of Peter’s key tips is to use mulch to shield plant roots on hot days. He suggests, “Before the weather gets too hot, it’s the perfect time to apply mulch in the garden. Mulch keeps the soil cool, retains moisture at the plant roots, and suppresses weeds – it’s a triple win.”
Peter also advises gardeners to ‘toughen up’ their plants by watering them less frequently but for longer periods. He explains that plants can develop a dependency on water if they are lightly watered often, which promotes shallow roots. Instead, he recommends watering plants deeply at their roots once or twice a week in the evenings, allowing the moisture to soak in.
Peter also suggests reusing water for gardens. For example, collecting water in a bucket while showering for non-edible plants, or gathering rainwater in buckets outdoors. He believes that small changes can lead to significant water savings and help maintain the health of our streams. He encourages everyone to check the Water Watchers Plan on the council website before turning on the tap. For more information, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/waterwatchers.
