Well the skies have opened, and we’ve received 173mm of rain in the past 24 hours, with more set to come. And there’s much we can do to make the most of it!

Water tanks are one obvious way, and other ways just as important for maximising water retention, and minimising run off are:

- Maximising surfaces that absorb water, like vegetated soil, and paths mulched with woodchips or made with stepping stones, and minimising hard surfaces like concrete that the water just runs off. We’re breaking our huge solid concrete driveway into pieces and using them to create beautiful mosaic paths that meander through the garden.

- Creating swales (shown left), which are trenches with mounds on the low side of a slope that hold water, slowing the flow, and maximising water absorption. We plant our water loving fruit trees in the mound, where they get lots of water and good drainage. Water loving plants like taro are happy in the trench of the swale.

- Planting fruit trees and sowing seeds just before, during or after good rain to give them the best start, which means less time spent watering

- Looking after our most important water storage device of all the soil! Good soil holds water incredibly well – see soil improving techniques.

Enjoy the rain and see water management for some more tips on making the most of it!

2008 is off to a flying start, with our two 9,000 litre water tanks plumbed up and ready for rain! Our wonderful rainwater is used for:

• Efficiently watering and irrigating the food forest and veggie growing area
  
  
• Washing clothes in the washing machine
  
  
• Drinking water (after additional filtering through a water filter)

The benefits of harvesting water in our backyard spread far beyond our back fence, being an important part of creating a healthier environment and community locally and even nationally - find out more in Making Every Drop Count.