Hello, fellow eco-warriors! 🌿 Here in Western Australia, where the sun blazes a trail across the sky and the earth is as thirsty as a tradie at 3pm😎, it makes sense that we need to think about how drought impacts our backyards too. It feels like a land of endless summer (we've had the driest six months on record) and the chilly rains of July are still far, far away. Climate change isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the real deal, turning the heat up on our already sizzling Mediterranean vibes (it's still over 30 degrees in April for goodness sake🥵!).
Rainfall in Perth has dropped by up to 19% since the '70s, our gardens and compost heaps are gasping for a drop. Fear not! As we dive into the gritty details, let’s keep our spirits high and our water usage low with some practical backyard tips.
But first, a quick reminder: Adding our voices, our time and our resources to advocate, educate or act for change (collective action👯) can be one of the most immensely impactful ways to fight the climate crisis. For me, collective AND individual actions still matter, especially in high-income nations like Australia, where the combined impact of our individual choices are baked into our National climate plans. Our individual actions also help us flex our "trade-off" muscles, where we weigh decisions, actions, and consequences— and can extend that muscle to our work and activism too. Every step on this journey counts!
If you don't hit up the news, you might've missed the crazy hot northern hemisphere summer last year. Countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal faced devastating wildfires that destroyed large areas of forest, homes, and led to the evacuation of thousands of people. In Canada, massive wildfires also caused widespread damage and poor air quality affecting millions. Droughts impacted water supplies, agricultural production, and led to food shortages and increased prices, stressing economies and livelihoods.
Add to that melting glaciers and the regularly posted graph of ocean temps rising beyond all possible records. Without freaking out, I'm going to focus on something within our control - staying waterwise in the garden for those living in drought conditions👩🌾.
You can check out the BoM's monthly drought report to know if your area is affected.
"The long-range forecast, released on 4 April 2024, indicates that for April to June, below median rainfall is likely (60% to 80% chance) across South Australia, Victoria except the east coast, northern Tasmania, western and southern inland New South Wales, south-western Queensland, most of the Northern Territory and much of Western Australia." Drought Statement: Rainfall deficiencies and water availability, Issued 5 April 2024 by Bureau of Meteorology Australia.
The impact of climate change varies, but for parts of the south-west and south-east of Australia, we can expect drier conditions into the future according to 2022's State of the Climate Report. Declining rain and inclining temps is significant for water use, gardening, and composting practices, as drier and warmer conditions lead to higher evaporation rates, affecting soil moisture and water availability for plants and composting processes.
Getting mulchy
I'm using hot tips from @compostable.kate and Hannah Moloney of @goodlife_permaculture to get lazy yet effective and keep my mulching and composting approach easy. Hold the rake, dear green warriors! This autumn, let’s champion laziness and let those leaves pile up. Why? Because they’re not just slacking off; they’re working hard to become leaf mould, nature’s very own gold for the garden.
Leaf mould is a fantastic soil conditioner, improving structure and water retention without you lifting a finger. This natural mulch is a superstar in the Mediterranean climate (like ours), locking in precious moisture for our plants and keeping that soil as cool as a Fremantle Doctor breeze, reducing the need for constant watering. So, go ahead, let those leaves pile up this autumn. Your garden (and your lazy Sundays) will thank you for it.
My urban backyard doesn't have any grass - just paving, decking and all the pots and planter boxes I've set up. So I scoop up all my leaves (from the neighbour's trees that fall into my yard - free mulch!) and add them on top of my soil and mulch for an extra preventative measure to stop water evaporation.
Mulching is a must: Apart from leaf mould, other organic mulches like straw or bark can keep soil temperatures consistent and reduce evaporation. It's like giving your soil a cozy blanket that also feeds it over time.
Efficient watering: Water in the early morning or late evening to minimize evaporation. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses target the water directly to the roots, where it's needed most, reducing waste and ensuring your plants get the deep drink they crave. I've got my vege boxes irrigated with soaker hoses that sit underneath the mulch layer.
Other hot and dry tips
Choose native plants or plants to suit your climate: I'm not going to get particular on only natives, although that is the popular mantra and the best way to support local ecosystems. Our climate is facing change and so opening up to other plants that grow in your specific climate (like mediterranean for us here) also works. Why do you think the olive harvest is so bountiful!!! It's certainly not native but grows super well in the Mediterranean temperatures. Plants already tuned to the climate usually need less water once they're established. They’re like the local wildlife—naturally savvy about surviving the Aussie heat.
Soil improvement: Incorporating organic matter into your soil improves its water retention and health. Compost, well-rotted manure, or worm castings can make your soil a water-saving superstar, ready to support robust plant growth. Our worm buffet (you can check out more here) is going strong as we keep them well fed on food scraps, torn up paper and garden waste. Thanks to local cafe @folkandmerchant we've also got a big bag of coffee grounds keeping our little garden happy.
Rainwater harvesting: Catching and storing rainwater during wetter months can provide an excellent water source for the drier times. A rain barrel or a more elaborate system can save significant amounts of this precious resource. We can't afford these fancy things, so we're incorporating Mum's preferred method - a bucket in the shower while the water warms up, to give us our plant water.
Group plants wisely: Place plants with similar water needs together to ensure efficient watering. This way, you won’t overwater drought-tolerant plants or underwater those that need more moisture.
Keeping up with good habits is crucial to maintaining that sustainable lifestyle. Here's the handy summary of tips for managing your garden in drought conditions:
Mulch, mulch, mulch. Many councils provide free or subsidized mulch. City of Stirling does a free plants, trees and verge makeover program each year (remember to register). City of Vincent's Woodville Reserve mulch pile is free to residents. We top up with leaves and garden debris.
Water wisely. Swap out sprinklers and try drip or soak watering hoses (still on timers!!!), and even hand watering plants from water you've collected - try the bucket in the shower method.
Stick to climate-friendly plants. We've all heard grow native, but when it comes to growing your own food also think about sticking to the climate of your area in addition to natives. For us that's Mediterranean growing to best suit the environment and minimize water use.
Stay hydrated for those experiencing these drought-conditions and share your stories, tips, and challenges with us! 🌱🌏 #EcoLife #SustainabilityGoals #sustainablegardening
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