Turning your garden into a beautiful water-wise marvel can be a daunting task, but help is at hand. Here’s what you need know and think about beforehand to get the most out of a consultation with a horticulturist.

What should you prepare before a garden consultation?

• Stroll through your garden and take note of any areas you think you would like to improve or make more water-wise. If you have a garden journal, keep this on hand and add notes where necessary. Include any concerns you may have.
• Think about your plan for a drought-tolerant space: would you like to improve the condition of your current garden, revamp existing sections and create a more functional space or are you simply thinking about planting new flowers, shrubs and trees that would be a good choice during the drought?
• Make sure you have a clear idea of what your budget is for your garden improvements, no matter how big or small.
• Consider how much time you have to spend caring for your new garden. Communicate this to your consultant so that they make realistic suggestions.
• Manage your expectations – a one-hour consultation won’t result in a complete overhaul of your landscape.

Questions to ask during your consultation

• Is your garden functional in terms of water-saving practices?
• Are there certain areas in your garden that need more attention than others?
• What plants can you add to your space? Are these drought-tolerant and water-wise?
• Are any plants you currently have water “guzzlers”?
• How can you implement rainwater collection methods?
• How care-intensive is the proposed new garden plan?

If you’ve prepared in advance, putting your consultant’s advice into practice shouldn’t be difficult to achieve. They’ll also be able to advise you on whether you have a sufficient amount of time to establish new plants before the winter rain. A positive, productive conversation between you and your horticultural consultant is key to a successful project.