When it comes to watering your garden, there’s no one-size-fits-all rule.  Every garden is different — and so are the weather, soil type, temperature, and even how much sun or shade your plants get. The key is learning to read your garden and water wisely.

🌦️ How Often Should You Water Your Garden?

A good rule of thumb is to adapt your watering schedule to your region and the time of year:

• Winter rainfall areas: Water about twice a week in summer and once a week in winter during dry spells.
• Summer rainfall areas: Water twice a week during hot, dry summers and once or twice a week in winter.

The best trick? Check the soil. Dig about 10 cm below the surface — if it still feels damp, your plants are fine.  If it’s dry, it’s time to water.

💡 Pro tip: A deep soak less often is far better than frequent light watering.  Deep watering encourages roots to grow downward in search of moisture — making your plants stronger and more drought-resistant.

🌱 Watering a New vs. Established Garden

New gardens need a little extra love.
For the first two to three weeks, water every second day.  Once your plants settle in, you can gradually reduce watering until they thrive on a normal schedule — just once or twice a week.

🚿 Choosing the Best Watering Method

1. Hose or Bucket

Perfect for small gardens!
Watering by hand might take time, but it’s relaxing and gives you a chance to check in on your plants. Just be mindful not to overwater.

2. For a very tiny garden a small battery operated electronic timer, one that can be programmed to come on at specific days and times of the week can be installed.  Attach this to a hose with an inexpensive pyramid sprinkler (the orange round one) and bob’s your uncle.  Just move the sprinkler around to the next section of the garden and leave it there for the next time the timer goes off to water the garden.

3. Irrigation Systems

For larger gardens, a well-positioned sprinkler or irrigation system saves time and water.  You can install an automatic timer — even a simple battery-powered one — to water specific areas on certain days.

👉 For example, shady spots stay damp longer, so you can set those zones to water less often. The lawn in the hot sun, however, will need more frequent watering.

Modern computerized irrigation systems can even sense rain and adjust accordingly.  Some models switch between summer and winter modes, giving your garden just the right amount of water.

💦 Grey Water Systems – Smart and Sustainable

Why waste perfectly good water?
Grey water systems reuse water from your bath, shower, and basins (excluding the kitchen).  The water can be stored in a tank and pumped through a sprinkler system — ideal for keeping your garden green even during drought restrictions.

If you don’t have a system installed, simply collect bath or shower water in containers and use it for your plants.  Every drop helps!

🏖️ Watering While You’re on Holiday

Going away?  No problem.  Here are some easy tricks to keep your plants happy while you’re gone:

• Move potted plants into shaded areas to reduce evaporation.
• Try Pot Pals — small terracotta tubes that slowly release water into the soil.

• Use Dry Water tubes, which can keep plants hydrated for up to 30 days!

• For shorter trips, place houseplants in the bathtub on wet newspaper with the plug in. They’ll absorb moisture through the pots as needed.

🌻 Waterwise Gardening Tips for a Greener, Smarter Garden

Waterwise gardening isn’t just about saving water — it’s about building a stronger, more resilient garden.  Here’s how:

• 🌿 Choose drought-resistant plants that thrive with minimal watering.
• 💧 Water deeply, less often to encourage strong root growth.
• ☀️ Avoid watering in the heat of the day or in windy conditions to prevent evaporation.
• 🚫 Skip the sprinkler nozzle on hoses — and don’t leave hoses running unattended.
• 🌱 Add organic matter to improve your soil’s ability to hold water.
• 🍂 Mulch your flowerbeds to keep the soil cool and moist.

• 🌼 Use ground covers as a natural moisture blanket for your soil.

• 🌧️ Plant at the start of your rainy season to take advantage of natural water.
• 🍃 Reduce lawn areas or choose low-water grasses like Buffalo (for coastal regions) or Kweek (for inland).
• 🌦️ Install rainwater tanks — rainwater is rich in nitrogen and perfect for plant growth.

🌿 Final Thoughts

Watering your garden doesn’t have to be complicated.  With a bit of observation and the right setup, you can create a lush, thriving garden that uses water wisely.  Whether you go the simple route with a hose and timer, or invest in a smart irrigation or grey water system, the goal is the same — healthy plants, less waste, and a greener planet.