Plant drought-resistant native trees and shrubs. These species are both attractive and effective in helping to cut your water costs.

Put a good mulch over the top of your garden beds. Mulches can prevent up to 73% moisture loss through evaporation! A 50mm mulch layer can save hundreds of litres of water per year. The best mulch is a well-rotted compost (another reason why every house should have a compost pile!). Other mulching materials are lawn clippings (not lawns treated with weedkiller, though), leaves and old newspapers. Therefore, mulches are a cheap and easy but effective method of making the most out of water in your garden. Mulches also prevent excessive runoff, restrict weed growth and help put valuable nutrients back into your soil. You should never mulch all the way up to a tree trunk, instead a ring gap should be left to prevent the possibility of collar rot.

Install water efficient drip irrigation for your trees, shrubs and flowers. This type of watering gets the moisture to the roots of the plant where it is needed and used, instead of the leaves, where water can be evaporated. By watering in this manner, you save yourself time and money and the plastic pipes are economical and easy to install.

Wait until the soil dries out before watering to toughen up your plants and make them hardier in dry conditions.
On a sloping block, water the highest parts of your garden first. This will save water wastage from runoff and save you time, by using the lay of your land to give you a hand in watering.

Move your pot plants outside when it rains for a good, free soak.

When you clean a fish tank, use the water you drain on your plants. The water is rich in Nitrogen and Phosphorus, providing you with a free and effective fertiliser.