Understanding Perth Watering Days

When they think about water days Perth, residents can be confused about what they are and how they work. However, this is no excuse; there are requirements to stick to strict watering days whether you have a garden or not. For those caught violating these rules, there are some stiff penalties in place, so it makes sense to learn more about them. In this article we will take a closer look at water days to that you can be more informed on the subject and avoid the consequences.

What is a Watering Roster?

Back in 2001 sprinkler rosters were first established and they were eventually made permanent right across Western Australia in 2007. These rules were designed to act as measures to promote water efficiency for the state. The exact watering days are determined by the particular climatic conditions for your region. It doesn’t matter if you use bore water or this scheme, the watering day roster still applies.

There is currently a permanent sprinkler ban in place that applies to both bore water uses and scheme participants in Perth, Mandurah, and other localities. The ban runs from the 1st of June to the 31st of August every year. It’s estimated that this measure alone saves around 4.5 billion litres of water annually.

Know Your Watering Days

It’s essential to find out your exact watering days for every time of the year and for where you live. The watering roster must be followed, you can only water once, and it must occur before 9 am or after 6 pm on those days. This still applies even if you are using a garden bore for your water supplies. A garden bore will draw water from a shared shallow groundwater source that is used for our natural environment. This is a resource that we much use carefully and sticking to the set watering days is one of the best ways to achieve this.

Apartment and Villa Residents

If you live in an apartment or villa, you will have your watering day based on the street number for your block. There is no need to worry about individual numbers within the block. If the block covers many numbers, then you should always use the highest one to get the correct watering day. As an example: if the block spans number 32-34, you would use the number 34 to get your watering day.

Watering Day Breaches

It’s advisable to stick to the assigned watering days for your property to help to conserve water for the entire community. Those that float these rules and breach the sprinkler roster could be looking at a $100 fine. Anyone can report a water day breach at any time by simply filling in an online sprinkler breach form.

If you’re still unsure about how Perth watering days work contact us here at Luke’s Landscaping Perth. We are your local experts in all aspects of garden design and maintenance, and we look forward to your call.

Article By: Luke Porter

5 Mistakes When you Water Potted Plants

Gardening is one of the most soothing and relaxing hobbies that a person could undertake. This is besides the whole concept of whether you have a green thumb or not. Of course, we are advocates for world peace and reducing the green-house effect, but the artistic side of gardening is unmatched. The chance to watch a plants growth over time and being able to eat its fruits, or having plants grow and having the ability to have a look at the beautiful flowers it bore, well that is magical.

As much as we all want to jump onto this bandwagon, we need to have basic knowledge of what to do, how to do it and it is especially important that we learn what not to do. Knowing what not to do is a crucial part of being successful in almost every field. We will also give you tips on some of the best tools to help you with your journey, from pruners and shovels to water globes and irrigation systems.

What not to do:

Move your plants

Plants are similar to people. After a while they get adapted to their environment, they change in the necessary ways they need to, to conform to their surroundings.

If a farmer or gardener has plants in a flowerpot or in the ground and later realized that they aren't pleased with the location of the plant, it is common practice that these plants would be uprooted from their current location and moved to a new place. Uprooting plants tend to put a lot of stress on the plant even though the roots haven't been tampered with.

Overwatering

This is a real thing. It sounds a little crazy but even from the human perspective, it is more or less the same, give human excess amounts of food and water and sooner than later this will begin to negatively affect him and his body.

Overwatering is known to flood the plant and remove nutrients from the soil. It also creates a huge osmotic imbalance that not many plants can handle.

If you would be away from your plants and fear that they would dry up, we recommend that you use a watering globe, the come in various sizes that would ensure that your plants would be safe for the entirety of your absence.

Underwatering

As much as using too much water on your plant is a bad thing, using too little could also negatively impact the plant in more ways than one. Each plant has its own recommendation on how much water it should take and needs. We recommend watering your plants regularly to avoid this.

Not allowing drainage

Most potted plants have holes at the bottom of the flower pot and this isn't so that it may look pretty. It is meant to allow the extra water to run off and to allow the roots to breathe or rather allow them to have decent aeration. This is to avoid bacteria from growing next to the roots and it stimulated the growth of worms which live symbiotically with the plant.

Having runoff

Having a runoff is horrible. The runoff happens when your flower pot is too full and all the water poured into the flower pot simply ‘runs off'. This washes away all minerals and nitrogen from the plant that could cause it to have stunted growth. Many devices could water a plant in this situation without having run off and one such device is a water globe.

Article by. Sophia Hope

5 tips buy best Automatic pool covers

The backyard pool provides a lifestyle that can't be beaten from rambunctious playtime to elegant poolside parties. Your pool can provide years of bliss, and enjoyment for you, your family, and friends. While a pool is a lot of fun, owning a pool comes with a certain responsibility to ensure the safety of your guests, your family, and your neighbors at all times whether you're using the pool or not. With automatic safety pool covers for in-ground pools, keeping your pool safer has never been more convenient or more effective. An automatic built-in pool covers from The Custom Pool Pros are of a great deal.

1. Automatic retractable pool covers

A complete package to keep your pool safe from all sorts of dirt and damage is the best automatic pool covers. The pool cover is only a fabric used in a way that it covers either indoor or outdoor swimming pools. The pool covers are retractable that is, it automatically comes out and goes in once operated, and keeps your pool clean. So make sure you consider this while you buy.

2. Safety at its best

Let me tell you this thing, pool covers have become pretty much of a need for swimming pool owners not because it gained popularity. Perhaps, because the pool covers ensure safety at it's best. These keep your pool clean from debris regardless of the season and provides longevity to your pools. It ensures no one falls into pool accidentally, and so you must buy those in-ground pool covers which promise you the best safety.

3. Know your type

This is actually one of the first requirements that are, you need to understand the functionality of the pool. Now you already know why swimming pool covers are beneficial for you, but you don't know what color, design or type should you choose or would be suitable for your pool. Here are few of the best options:

• Solar pool covers: prevents water from evaporating
• Mesh pool covers: water can pass through it (for example rainwater) but filters dirt & debris
• Enclosure covers: most effective. Covers the entire pool. Bit costly.
• Thermal covers: retains the heat of water
• Pool nets
• Sliding deck pool covers
• Automatic retractable covers

4. Accessories

Do consider you need other accessories or not. You can have:

• Pool cover pumps
• Cover clips
• Water tube bags
• Cover Seals

5. Cost maintenance

Pool covers usually do not cost much, but automatic pool covers may cost more than $3000 to install. But then you need to look at the bright side. Honestly, I don't think this cost is much since it saves you from all the hassle of maintenance you have to grow through all around the year along with high operation cost. So these automatic ones actually save you a lot of time, effort, and money.

Article by Tom Lobrow

How to Choose the Right Planter

Planters are containers that come in a variety of sizes, shapes and designs, for growing plants, flowers, herbs and even ornamental foliage.

Planters come in a large array of materials. When choosing a planter, look for the type of material to withstand the elements that your planter and plants will be exposed to. For outside planters, you will want to choose a durable product among the types to consider are as follows:

1) Wood — wood planters made out of cedar, teak or shorea tend to be the most durable and weather resistant. They can be beautifully painted or stained to accent your decor and many have lovely designs made out of the wood itself to add depth and dimension to the planter.

2) Metal — these planters add a more modern accent to any backyard or garden. They come in many types, such as copper, bronze, cast iron as well as stainless and galvanized steel. Metal planter are often accented with beautiful scroll work or the tops may be fluted to add character and charm. They are very durable and rugged, but be careful as they may damage your plants when they overheat in the summer or warmer days or when the cold and frost hits. This is due to the thermal activity of the metal.

3) Concrete or Stone — These planters are great for an outdoor garden or around a beautiful pool area, are routinely available in the shape of a large urn and favor the heavy side. They are generally very decorative, durable and resistant to wind. They may also have raised features on the outside to add to the attractiveness of your area. these are perfect at the entry way of your home, at the front gate or entry way to your home as well as atop a column for an extra classy appearance.

4) Plastic — plastic planters are very affordable and made of a durable resin that is great for retaining water. They simulate stone and are available in a wide range of color, sizes, shapes and styles. They are lightweight and easy to transport or move if needed, due to in climate weather or to move indoor for winter.

5) Wicker — Wicker planters made of resin like plastic are a very popular trend these days. They are great outdoors and are light, but great for a variety of plants or vegetables. They can be found in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes and are the perfect accent to your outside wicker patio furniture.

6) Ceramic — Ceramic planters are fragile, but very colorful as well as decorative. These tend to be on the heavier side like the stone or concrete pots, but are an appealing addition to any outdoor space.

7) Fiberglass — fiberglass planters are made out of a lightweight material and easy to move. They are come in a variety of colors and sized to accent any outdoor garden area.

Picking the proper material for the plant and aesthetic accent to your outdoor space is essential. Also picking the right size or grouping of sizes will also add to the charm and feeling that you want to convey to your guests.

Grouping planters together will bring the feeling of creativeness. Three planters of the same style but different sizes adds a traditional and concise look to your space, whereas, grouping different materials as well as sizes and shapes adds a more modern or eclectic feel to your area.

Article by  Anna Summers