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RAND WATER EDITORIAL

NAVIGATING WATER CONSERVATION

DURING THE LOOMING EL NIÑO: A

SOUTH AFRICAN CASE STUDY

s temperatures begin to increase, to-strong El Niño forming in 2023 based on needless use of water. This can be achieved
South Africa prepares to embrace regular monitoring of the El Niño-Southern by incorporating the following zones within
Aits vibrant growing season – a time Oscillation (ENSO) system. your garden design:
of renewal and transformation which holds Historical data taken from the SA Weather High water use zone: Covering 10 – 30% of
promise for abundant crops and blooming Service’s website indicated that between the garden. This area requires more water
flora. However, with water scarcity and July 2022 – September 2022, most parts of (750 – 1000mm per year).
climate change ever-present in the country, the country experienced low average rainfall Medium water use zone: Covering 20 – 40%
it becomes imperative to adopt water volumes ranging from 0mm to 50mm. This of the garden. Plants in this zone receive
conservation principles. places us in a vulnerable position, because limited water (500 – 750mm per year).
El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon the El Niño effect could further delay the first Low water use zone: Covering 30 – 60% of
that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. It involves rainfalls which are essential for our gardens. the garden. This area should receive (300 –
the periodic warming of sea surface As the growing season is upon us, the need 500mm per year) of water.
temperatures, which can have far-reaching to increase water use to preserve young Very low water use zone: This zone
effects on global weather patterns. Recently, seedlings and encourage seed germination should cover the largest part of the garden
climate scientists issued warnings to the is inevitable. Thus, gardeners need to (< 300mm of water per year).
government, businesses and communities carefully consider what is required for the Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch
on evidence pointing towards a moderate- conservation of our limited water resources. (straw, wood chips, etc.) on the surface of
To navigate the potential effect of El the soil around plants to retain moisture
Niño, these are some of the essential in the soil. For effective mulching, apply
#WaterWise principles you can incorporate organic mulch using the following thickness
in your garden: guidelines:
Watering times: Water in the early morning Wood chips: 50 - 100mm
or late afternoon as this reduces water lost Straw: 50 - 120mm
to evaporation. Avoid watering between Leaves: 20 - 100mm
10am and 2pm from October to February. Lawn clipping: 20mm at a time
Hydrozoning: Group plants with similar Shredded bark: 50 - 100mm
watering requirements to reduce the Sawdust: 20 - 75mm

Always be #WaterWise!
www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60
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Landscape SA • Issue 129 2023 13