Water-Wise Garden Ideas for Hot Limpopo Summers
Hot Limpopo summers are hard on a garden, so plan for water first. Group thirsty plants together, mulch beds with bark or wood chips and water early in the morning. A digital tap timer stops waste and keeps lawns and veg beds on a steady schedule.
Add a rain tank off the gutter and a simple drip line to your beds. Hardy local plants like aloes, spekboom and lavender cope well with dry spells. Our garden aisle at Selfbou has hoses, fittings and timers to get you started.
HARDWARE
Start with a plan. Measure the space, mark where pipes and cables run and decide how much water you want to move. A small pump and a length of pipe are enough for most backyard features. Use sealed fittings and test for leaks before you fill it. Keep the pump away from loose soil and leaves so it runs well all season.
A pressure washer is the quickest way to bring tired paving, walls and decking back to life. Work from the top down and keep the nozzle a hand's width from the surface. Use a flat fan tip for most jobs and save the narrow jet for stubborn stains. Wear closed shoes and eye protection, and never point the lance at anyone. Rinse the hose and store the kit dry after each use.
Garden Care: See Our Range
A pressure washer is the quickest way to bring tired paving, walls and decking back to life. Work from the top down and keep the nozzle a hand's width from the surface. Use a flat fan tip for most jobs and save the narrow jet for stubborn stains. Wear closed shoes and eye protection, and never point the lance at anyone. Rinse the hose and store the kit dry after each use.
Garden Care: See Our Range
A pressure washer is the quickest way to bring tired paving, walls and decking back to life. Work from the top down and keep the nozzle a hand's width from the surface. Use a flat fan tip for most jobs and save the narrow jet for stubborn stains. Wear closed shoes and eye protection, and never point the lance at anyone. Rinse the hose and store the kit dry after each use.
Garden Care: See Our Range
A pressure washer is the quickest way to bring tired paving, walls and decking back to life. Work from the top down and keep the nozzle a hand's width from the surface. Use a flat fan tip for most jobs and save the narrow jet for stubborn stains. Wear closed shoes and eye protection, and never point the lance at anyone. Rinse the hose and store the kit dry after each use.
Garden Care: See Our Range
ELECTRICAL
Start with a plan. Measure the space, mark where pipes and cables run and decide how much water you want to move. A small pump and a length of pipe are enough for most backyard features. Use sealed fittings and test for leaks before you fill it. Keep the pump away from loose soil and leaves so it runs well all season.
Pump basics
Water features need a level base. Dig the hole, check it with a spirit level and line it with a thick liner or a rigid tub. Fill the edges with stone to hide the liner. Add a pump rated for the size of your feature and plug it into a safe, weatherproof outlet. Top up the water in hot weather, since it evaporates quickly in the Limpopo sun.
Liner choice
Water features need a level base. Dig the hole, check it with a spirit level and line it with a thick liner or a rigid tub. Fill the edges with stone to hide the liner. Add a pump rated for the size of your feature and plug it into a safe, weatherproof outlet. Top up the water in hot weather, since it evaporates quickly in the Limpopo sun.
Safe outlets
Water features need a level base. Dig the hole, check it with a spirit level and line it with a thick liner or a rigid tub. Fill the edges with stone to hide the liner. Add a pump rated for the size of your feature and plug it into a safe, weatherproof outlet. Top up the water in hot weather, since it evaporates quickly in the Limpopo sun.
Stone edging
Water features need a level base. Dig the hole, check it with a spirit level and line it with a thick liner or a rigid tub. Fill the edges with stone to hide the liner. Add a pump rated for the size of your feature and plug it into a safe, weatherproof outlet. Top up the water in hot weather, since it evaporates quickly in the Limpopo sun.
Start with a plan. Measure the space, mark where pipes and cables run and decide how much water you want to move. A small pump and a length of pipe are enough for most backyard features. Use sealed fittings and test for leaks before you fill it. Keep the pump away from loose soil and leaves so it runs well all season.
PLUMBING
Keep the area around your water feature tidy. Remove fallen leaves each week so the pump filter does not clog. Check hoses and clamps for cracks, especially after a cold snap or a long dry spell. Wipe the pump housing and rinse the filter in clean water. A little regular care means the feature runs quietly and the water stays clear through the whole summer.
Plan your outdoor lighting before you dig. Low voltage garden lights are safer and cheaper to run, and a small transformer can feed a whole row of lights. Bury cable in conduit and keep it clear of the water. Solar spotlights are good for corners where there is no power. Place lights low and angled to show off plants and stone, not to blind your neighbours.
Keep the area around your water feature tidy. Remove fallen leaves each week so the pump filter does not clog. Check hoses and clamps for cracks, especially after a cold snap or a long dry spell. Wipe the pump housing and rinse the filter in clean water. A little regular care means the feature runs quietly and the water stays clear through the whole summer.
Plan your outdoor lighting before you dig. Low voltage garden lights are safer and cheaper to run, and a small transformer can feed a whole row of lights. Bury cable in conduit and keep it clear of the water. Solar spotlights are good for corners where there is no power. Place lights low and angled to show off plants and stone, not to blind your neighbours.
Keep the area around your water feature tidy. Remove fallen leaves each week so the pump filter does not clog. Check hoses and clamps for cracks, especially after a cold snap or a long dry spell. Wipe the pump housing and rinse the filter in clean water. A little regular care means the feature runs quietly and the water stays clear through the whole summer.
Plan your outdoor lighting before you dig. Low voltage garden lights are safer and cheaper to run, and a small transformer can feed a whole row of lights. Bury cable in conduit and keep it clear of the water. Solar spotlights are good for corners where there is no power. Place lights low and angled to show off plants and stone, not to blind your neighbours.
