When should I water my plants?

Separate your production area from your visual amenity areas as their water requirements should differ.

Your vegetable patch will require regular water to maintain production and quality as, for example, under moisture stress lettuces turn bitter and pumpkins develop ‘rocks’ in their flesh. 

Harvesting usable produce is most important, maximizing fruit size and quantity less so.

Your visual amenity garden can be designed to thrive on natural rainfall (xeriscaping).  Harvesting and applying additional water in sync with your seasonal conditions extends your range of plants.  To maximize water use efficiency in winter dominant rainfall areas avoid plants that require additional summer water. 

Many water-wise perennial plants suffering from moisture stress resent (often die) being watered during hot dry weather.  Stressed plants are most receptive to water when rain is ’in the air’.  Supplementary wateringing during light rain will help replenish your soil moisture.

Choosing annuals that respond to your natural seasonal cycles will often require no extra water!

Is the cost of installing a rainwater tank justifiable?

To minimize cost per litre install the largest tank you can.

Even small tanks can be very cost effective if they are used in a manner that provides capture of each subsequent shower of rain.  Capture your water and use it!  Water capture will be many times the capacity of your tank over a year. 

What value per litre do you place on your rainwater, mains, bottled or somewhere in between?

Explore the tips, references and web-links and decide what is best for your situation.