1 Improve soil by incorporating plenty of compost and well-rotted manure.
2 Buy plants with a healthy leaf colour that don’t show any signs of disease.
3 Water thoroughly once or twice a week, rather than a daily sprinkling; this encourages root systems to grow downwards in search of water.
4 Conserve moisture by spreading a thick layer of mulch around plants, keeping away from the stem.
5 Use organic sprays (only when really necessary), and always follow the instructions.
6 Remove weeds before they can set seed.
7 Whenever you walk around the garden, carry clippers and cut off old flowers.
8 Check the garden after heavy rain to see where areas with drainage problems can be improved by filling in, levelling or raising the soil level.
9 Keep a garden journal. It eliminates the guesswork of when to sow seed and plant shrubs, what flowers when and for how long.
10 Conserve water by growing water-wise plants.

Source: Home magazine