The concept of sustainability means that we do not do anything today which would harm the world our children will inherit. Demand for water has been growing around the world at a faster rate than fossil fuels. Sensory gardens need to conserve water, as do all forms of gardening.
In order to make the most of water in the garden, collect rainwater. Store it in covered tanks to avoid problems with mosquitoes. Use wind powered generators in suitable areas to power pumps to move water around the garden. Use gravity and pressure to move water where possible.
If you desire a water feature in your sensory garden, design a narrow canal, or rill, to channel the water. With a smaller surface area there is less chance of evaporation. Open surface ponds, balls and features with drips or sprays all lose excessive amounts of water. By designing small drops in the level of the rill you will get the sound of moving water. Get visual stimualtion through the reflective properties of the level stretches of the canal.
When irrigating the garden install a dripper system. It is most effective at getting water to where it is needed, the plants' roots,
The life span of dripper lines is usually up to 10-15 years, as mineral deposits in the water eventually make the line inoperable. However, neglecting to wash out the system periodically will significantly reduce their operable life span.
Flush the line for about 5-10 minutes annually, while using the water coming out of the hose for some useful purpose such as watering new plants.
See http://www.greenstonedesign.co.uk for more information on sensory garden design.
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