Level 4 water restrictions a sign of hope for Tamworth gardeners after horror drought

But even as gardens return to life, the long-term effects of the region's worst drought ever will live on.

That's according to Tamworth and District Gardening Club President Larraine Abra.

Many of the region's gardeners have been forced to abandon years or even decades of hard work, she said.

"It is tragic, especially when some people have put a lot work over the years and have beautiful gardens and just to sit back and watch them die before your eyes, it's very sad."

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Others gardeners have laboriously collected and carried greywater to their favourite plants to keep them going. Many of them are older and for them gardening during a drought can be a big physical burden, she said.

Last week's announcement that water restrictions will be relaxed to Level 4 by the end of August will not mean an immediate change for gardeners. Both Level 4 and 5 ban all outdoor use of treated water by residents.

Tamworth Cottage Gardeners' President Sandra Holmes said it's a sign of a hope that things could get even better.

"I've got my fingers and my toes crossed, absolutely. I just hope it keeps on raining the way it has and that soon we can have 50 per cent, 100 per cent in the dam. But is it going to last that long?

"I look forward to the day where I can hook up a hose and sprinkler and turn it on."

In the long run, she said the record-breaking drought will be a wake-up call to Tamworth's gardening community.

Many will now be looking to succulents, pot plants and other drought-resistant options rather than traditional thirsty English-style gardens.

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"I think people have sort of been trying to keep the things they really like alive by watering from showers and washing machines and all that sort of thing.

"A lot of people are going for the succulents, trying to go for dry area gardens really.

"People seem to be going more for the water saving gardens and plants and things. You can get some beautiful succulents, people think of succulents as just being boring, but you can get a lot of really nice ones."

But Mrs Abra said seasons are also changing in Tamworth.

"It's not like it used to be a long time ago when we were certain that we'd get rain in certain times of the year and always had pretty good seasons.

"I think people are more aware of it these days that you've got to change their outlook and change things in the garden."

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