The goal for gardeners should be to be as sustainable in their practices as possible, which means reducing reliance on mains water for irrigation. One very effective way you can do this is by installing one or more rainwater tanks. There are above-ground tanks of myriad shapes, sizes and colours and below-ground tanks, which are ideal when planning a new garden as they can be buried under the lawn, a paved area or the pool without the expensive excavation involved in a retro-fit.
Various factors come into play when selecting a tank. There’s budget, of course, but with the number of rebate programs around this can take the financial sting out of buying and installing a tank. Space is another consideration, which can be more of an issue in established gardens. Then there’s roof size and condition, the average annual rainfall in your area and what you want to use the tank water for (irrigation, other outdoor chores such as car and dog washing, or flushing toilets and providing water for the laundry).
IT’S NOT JUST THE TANK YOU NEED
As the water that accumulates in the tank is collected from the roof of your house, available roof area is of critical importance when working out what size tank it can support. The type of roof is also important as it can affect water quality; same for gutters. Roofs and gutters in older homes that have been coated with leadbased paint can be a source of contamination. Similarly, a newly painted roof is not ideal for water collection. The first few run-offs should always be discarded.
Denne historien er fra Issue #17.5-utgaven av Backyard & Garden Design Ideas.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Issue #17.5-utgaven av Backyard & Garden Design Ideas.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SEEING GREEN
This garden design took the challenge of a sloping site and transformed it into a tropical, green oasis
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT
Edible plants tend to be thirsty, but it is possible to grow healthy, flavoursome veggies without over-taxing your water supply
Roots of orange
One of the most popular and health-giving of veggies, carrots are a must for the garden and the plate
Heart of stone
What’s more beautiful than a material formed over thousands of years by nature?
BLOOMING FABULOUS
A combination of formal, fun, and cottage, this delightful garden in Brisbane mixes it up with magnificent results
GET A ROOM!
Since living, working and entertaining at home is becoming the norm, exploring the creation of outdoor “rooms” in our backyards provides plenty of scope for imagination
Alligator pear
That’s just one of the many names for the large, luxurious berry we know and love as avocado
Eat, Play, Love
This urban oasis is filled with a diverse blend of productive plants and natives, a unique haven that continues to evolve
The Plant Sage Behind - The Plant Society
Jason Chongue is a veritable celebrity in the plant world — and taking a walk through his foliage-filled home, you can see why!
Funky Wooden Features Bring This Space To Life
This Coogee property was given a new life with creative wooden solutions and an injection of tropical-inspired greenery, creating that holiday experience right in the backyard