Save your plants in the drought

Watching your beautiful plants die in the drought is not only depressing for your heart, but also for your wallet.

For this reason, it is crucial to keep your plants hydrated, while abiding to the water restrictions.

Try these easy steps:

1. Your lawn can go without water for longer than most people think. They only need watering every five to seven days in the summer and every 10 to 14 days in the winter. Most of the year, lawns only need 3cm of water per week.

2. Plant smart, drought efficient landscaping is a great way to design, install and maintain both your plants and irrigation system. It will save time, money and water.

3. Indigenous or drought-resistant grasses, ground-covers, shrubs and trees are best, because once they are established, they do not need water as frequently and usually will survive a dry period without watering.

4. Group plants together based on similar water needs.

5. Install water efficient irrigation systems such as micro and drip irrigation.

6. Raise the lawn mower blade to its highest level, as a higher cut encourages grass roots to grow deeper, shades the root system and holds soil moisture better than a closely-clipped lawn.

7.Use mulch to retain moisture in the soil. Mulch also helps control weeds that compete with landscape plants for water.