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Australian Native Plants

Watering native plants

10 years ago

Hi All

Firstly please excuse the silly question!

We have a small garden at the back of our Sydney terrace. The garden is within built in raised planter boxes, as a guide one of six planters is approximately 150cm x 50cm x 40cm deep. Planted within are grevilleas, banksias, paper daisies, dianella grass, geraldton wax flower, lilly pillies and other native shrubs.

We have an irrigation system in with low lying spray heads. The question is how often and for how long should I be watering? At the moment I have it set for 20 minutes once a week - is this too much for native plants?

Thank you

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Comments (6)

funnelweb
10 years ago
20 minutes once a week, probably ok but might depend on the type of soil you have in the planter boxes. My guide would be to test each morning how quickly the site dries out - by pushing finger into soil should give a good indication - if it's bone dry after 4 days or 5 days then you might consider adjusting. Some of those natives you've mention, however, do require more space than you've indicated: banksias, grevilleas, lilly-pillies, depending on the variety, for example.
born_free
Original Author
10 years ago
Thank you for your response.

The planters all contain native soil and the plants have been in for a year.

I will check the soil daily.

Attached a photo taken a few weeks ago when I replaced plants. There is mulch on the ground now.
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born_free
Original Author
10 years ago
Just adjusted to every 4 days as the soil was drying out quickly. The planters are raised and cop a lot of sun and wind.

Thanks again Funnelweb.
funnelweb
10 years ago
No worries, born_free but you know, it's all going to get a bit crowded in those trays and natives do resent root disturbance. However, good luck with them all.
emmaharris
10 years ago
Interesting topic here. I have been toying with the idea of planting some natives in planter boxes along our front deck. What has been mentioned above confirms my concern with allowing enough room between plants. I am new here and I am learning alot already. Sure beats asking the staff at Bunnings ! I love this forum
funnelweb
10 years ago
With all due respects to Bunnings gardening section staff, all they are there for is to sell plants; in the main they are not trained horticulturists: the plants are cheaper (cheaper than nurseries) but professional advice, well, it's overall better than Big W's.

b.
PS. If you are thinking of natives to plant in planter boxes, restrict your selection to the hardiest species, and buy from reliable nurseries. Ask the advice of trained staff.

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