For more information on being Water Wise please visit www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo or contact

us on 0860 10 10 60.

Growing your own food is not only simple and relatively inexpensive, it is great for your mind and body, and the environment too. A vegetable garden is a great tool to work towards creating a sustainable lifestyle - you can save water, reduce pollution, and contribute towards your family’s healthy by producing your own fruit and veggies. Being close to the earth and watching plants grow reminds us that water is essential to life. Caring for a garden reminds us that nothing can grow without water and that every drop is precious and must not be wasted. Using Water Wise techniques can help you get the most out of your garden while using the least amount of water.

Recent studies on South African malnutrition show that only 20% of South African households appear food secure. Food gardening can increase food security, self-reliance, health, and conservation of water and the environment. Besides the benefits gained from producing your own food, working in the garden can help you improve your health by helping you get the physical exercise you need. Gardening is also relaxing, which helps to reduce stress.

Grow healthy foodA garden lets you grow your own healthy food and even herbs that act like medicine to help you look after your health. Fresh fruit and vegetables are packed with health-giving vitamins and minerals, which keeps your immune system strong to help your body fight against diseases. Herbs can prevent illness and can even help treat a wide range of ailments from fighting infection and lowering fever to easing muscle pain. For example, the widely available and popular garden plant, snake flower (Bulbine frutescens), is used for treating wounds, insect bites, mouth ulcers and acne. African wormwood (Artemesia affra), which grows extensively in natural areas on the Highveld, is used for multiple treatments such as colic, coughs, colds, fevers and earache. As a precaution, always consult your doctor before using herbal medication.

Create a Water Wise food gardenAdopt these valuable habits to ensure your food garden is strong, healthy and Water Wise.

– Create pathways through your veggie patch that makes all areas of the patch accessible and prevents you from walking in the beds and compacting the soil.

– Add compost to the soil in your veggie garden to provide nutrients to plants and increase the water holding capacity of the soil.

– Always add water retention granules to the soil to increase its water holding capacity.

– Mulch your veggie garden to conserve soil moisture. – Plant high water use vegetables, such as cucumbers

and tomatoes in containers so that they can be watered separately.

– Stop watering when the water starts to pool on the surface of the soil and run off; rather water in short bursts and allow the water to soak in. Deep soakings encourage roots to grow deeper and utilise moisture deep in the ground, which enables plants to thrive between waterings and in times of drought.

– Avoid watering your garden on windy and hot days, as the evaporation rate is higher.

Although most veggies are high water users, by using these Water Wise practises you can reduce the amount of water you use in your food garden.

Veggies also add colour to your garden

References:Department of Education Technical Report October 2011.

Create a Water Wise garden for health

Did you know that Water Wise gardens can be beneficial for people

too? Growing your own veggies is fun, satisfying and healthy!