Water is one of our most precious natural resources, therefore investing in a good management scheme is a smart decision for businesses. Having control over water usage will not only positively impact the environment but is also an extremely effective cost-saving strategy and will result in the long-term health of grounds and garden spaces.
Professional grounds maintenance teams are experts in water conservation and management strategies. They can do everything from conducting audits on your current irrigation scheme to providing advice on plant selection, turf, soil and all other factors that contribute to water usage.
Efficient water management is a multi-faceted and complex area of grounds maintenance, but being in control of your water consumption can bring about great benefits to the appearance and health of landscapes, positively impacting the reputation of a property. Read on to discover more and learn how landscaped areas and properties can benefit from the assistance of professional maintenance.
The basics of water management
Property managers throughout Australia understand that water conservation is necessary in order to keep facilities and grounds looking healthy all year round. Adopting a water management scheme ensures that this is possible through carefully planned landscaping and maintenance.
Water conservation can refer to the method through which grounds are watered, usually through the choice of an appropriate irrigation scheme. Doing so ensures that irrigation runoff is reduced and wherever possible, water is reused. Not only is this fantastic for the environment — particularly in drought-prone Australia — but also encourages a positive cost-saving approach.
Water management also extends to the select choice of flora. It is important that trees, shrubs, plants and grass are appropriately chosen in line with the surrounding natural environment. Certainly in Australia, drought-tolerant plants are an excellent choice as they tend to thrive in dry conditions. Another relevant practice is hydro-zoning — clustering plants together that have similar watering requirements to assist in the planning of watering and reduce the likelihood of water wastage.
A professional grounds maintenance team can take all of this into consideration when putting together an appropriate, economical and sustainable water conservation strategy.
Dangers of over and under-watering
Ensuring plants, shrubs and grassy areas have just the right amount of water will go a long way to creating well-manicured and healthy green spaces. Just as drought poses a threat to flora, so too does over-watering through mismanagement or lack of knowledge.
To enjoy landscaped areas all year round, it’s important to invest in appropriate water irrigation systems. This will ensure the right amount of water is delivered to the right plants, at the right time.
Every landscaped area is different, which is why it is important to tailor irrigation. Changes in temperature, humidity and sunlight all play a part in the amount of water a landscaped area requires. An automatic watering schedule will not take into account the types of plants in the area, the size of green spaces or the surrounding environmental conditions. Adjusting schedules or implementing a smart controller to monitor environmental conditions can help reduce water usage and ensure plants are not at risk of being over-watered.
A professional grounds maintenance team can create a water management plan that is centered around the health and wellbeing of the natural environment, creating welcoming spaces and increasing the reputation of a property.
Water conservation in Australia
Australia provides a unique setting for grounds maintenance because of the incredible variety of ecological settings found across the continent. Take coastal areas as an example, high atmospheric salinity coupled with wind and storms can affect irrigation practices and soil health in large turfed spaces.
A practice common to Australian landscaping maintenance is xeriscaping. Xeriscaping is a form of gardening that uses plants and turf that can be maintained with minimal amounts of water. This is particularly useful for drought-affected areas of the country as it has extensive environmental and financial benefits.
Uniqueness of the environment is another reason why hiring an experienced grounds maintenance team is an excellent idea — they can bring with them unparalleled knowledge and expertise to provide a personalized water management plan.
Benefits of going with a professional
As with all types of grounds maintenance, the choice to go with a professional team offers many advantages. Professional grounds maintenance is a great way to achieve highly efficient irrigation systems, supported by the choice of native flora that will stand up well against all manner of environmental conditions.
The Australian landscape is remarkably unique, and a professional team will be able to take all relevant factors into account when putting together a water management plan that is environmentally friendly, cost-efficient and encourages the growth and health of garden and turf areas.
