Water-Wise Gardening: Designing with Irrigation Zones
This project showcases a thoughtfully designed water-wise residential garden located near Fremantle, Western Australia, where efficient irrigation design and climate-appropriate planting were used to maximise water use efficiency.
The garden was divided into distinct irrigation zones, each individually reticulated to match the specific water requirements of different plant groups. This approach ensures water is applied only where and when it is needed, significantly reducing waste while supporting healthy plant growth.
By grouping plants with similar water needs and selecting species suited to local conditions, the garden achieves strong performance under reduced irrigation. This zoned design supports long-term garden resilience in a drying climate and aligns with local and state water-saving objectives increasingly prioritised by councils and water authorities.
Before and after images below demonstrate the transformation, highlighting how strategic irrigation zoning and plant selection can deliver both aesthetic and environmental outcomes.
Key Principles Applied
Irrigation zoning: Separating planting areas based on water demand to improve efficiency
Climate-appropriate plant selection: Using species suited to local conditions to reduce reliance on irrigation
Soil improvement: Enhancing soil structure and organic content to improve water retention
Water efficiency: Minimising water use while maintaining plant health and landscape function
Climate resilience: Designing landscapes capable of performing under reduced water availability
Before - nothing but lawn, a jade bush, and a few strappy roses. Although the western side had mature lavender and a bougainvillea
Progressive - hard scaping, red-recycled brick (to match the chimney on the Eastern side of the house).
After - dry zone - exposed north-facing garden - planted out with WA natives in the form of an English cottage garden. Many species were chosen based on flowering times, to provide colour, but also for the bees. The plants selected were matched to the soil association relevant to this particular area on the Swan Coast Plains. Sub-mulch drip irrigation was used twice per week in the first year - once per week in the second year - and now it is only watered if extremely hot weather persists for numerous days in a row. All ornamental watering ceases in winter, as per council requirements (but also not necessary as this region is quite wet in the winter).
Before, an un-used area. This is the western side of the house.
After - veg patch watered with drip irrigation twice a day (with potting table at the end). The watering schedule can be customised easily based on the the type veggies chosen. This area although being between the house and the fence, still received enough daylight to grow many plant species, given the strength of the Western sun.
Wet zone - cool southern side of the house with dappled shade. Lots of ferns and vines - it now has a real 'Bali' vibe - deep watered twice per week. All ornamental watering ceases in winter, as per council requirements (but also not necessary as this region is quite wet in the winter).