How to save water in your garden
Although there’s been a lot of the rain in many parts over the last few weeks, the country is still in drought, with many areas suffering with hosepipe bans too.
The rain doesn’t look like it’s going to let off any time soon – but that’s good news because it makes it easy to save water should the drought continue through summer.
Here are our top tips on how to make the best of this natural resource:
Understand the drought and how it affects you
The level of drought and the restrictions in place because of it varies around the country. Take a look at the Environment Agency‘s website to get an idea of how badly the area you live in is affected.
Let your grass grow
Doing this helps to give the soil shade and retain water. Don’t worry if the grass goes brown – it doesn’t mean it has died. It will recover when it rains again.
Don’t waste running water
If you are running water waiting for it to get hot, don’t waste the cold down the drain. Instead, fill a watering can or a few jugs. The water you would have normally wasted can then be used to water plants or perhaps even fill the windscreen washers in your car.
Mulches
Mulches are a natural way of retaining water and they can be anything from grass cuttings to gravel. They help to retain water in the soil and deter weeds. Depending on the sort of plants and shrubs you are growing in your garden; a good mulch might also give your flowers nutrients too. And you can create your own compost to use as a mulch by saving organic kitchen waste, such as vegetable peelings and tea bags. Many councils now offer free mini compost bins.
Use a water butt
We may be in a drought, but we are certainly having a lot of rain. Make the most of this with a water butt which can collect water from a down pipe from your roof. You can buy a water butt from garden centres or websites such as Water Butts Direct. Check with your water supplier first, though, to see if they are offering any deals.
Use water-retaining crystals
You can get crystals and gel that help to retain the moisture that’s already in your soil. These are ideal for containers and raised flowerbeds as they stop the water draining away too quickly. A number of organic varieties are available. Buy them at garden centres, online or through your water supplier.
Use grey water
Grey water is old bath and sink water. It’s perfectly safe to use to water your plants as long as you allow it to cool. You can either use a siphoning system to transfer it to your garden or you can simply use a watering can. It’s better if you don’t use any harsh soaps or shampoos, though, and it’s not recommended to be used on vegetables.
Encourage your plants to develop deep root systems
If you water your plants very regularly they develop shallow roots because they don’t have to go deep into the soil to look for water. If you water less regularly then the roots will grow strong and deep. Watering once every 10 days is usually sufficient for most plants.
Buy drought-tolerant plants
If you have a new garden and are looking for something to brighten it up despite the drought, then there are a number of plants you can buy that will thrive despite the dry weather. Try geraniums, poppies, buddleia and catmint. Cambridge Water has a comprehensive list of drought-tolerant plants.
Wash your car with a bucket and watering can
Using a hosepipe for 30 minutes will use more water than the average family does in a day. If you need to wash your car then use a bucket and sponge then rinse it with a watering can.
If you are concerned about any aspect of the drought then you should speak to your water supplier. They’ll be able to give you advice and might even be able to help you save water and money.
