If you are based in certain parts of the country you might already be subject to a hose pipe ban or be expecting one soon. As changeable as the British weather seems, 2011 was the UK’s driest year in 90 years. The problem is, all gardens need a lot of watering to thrive, especially if you are growing fruit and vegetables. It’s time to retire the sprinklers and put away the hose pipe, it’s better for your garden, the planet and ultimately, your water bill.
Luckily, there are plenty of ways to garden without the use of a hosepipe or sprinkler:
Install water butts…
The larger your garden the more you will need. Place below guttering to maximise the amount of rain you can capture from the roof of your home, shed or greenhouse. If you can, make sure all water butts are covered and placed in the shade to minimise the amount of rain lost to evaporation.
Mulch and then mulch some more…
As soon as the sun starts to shine, you are going to need to lock in the moisture gathered in the colder months. Mulch works to retain water and act as a defence against weeds that would otherwise compete for water with your plants. Organic mulch is best and you can use bark chippings, manure, lawn cuttings, pine needles or gravel to name a few. Mulching is especially important if you have sandy soil in your area.
Watering technique…
Not used to watering without a hose or sprinkler? Did you know you could be doing your garden more harm than good by relying on these things anyway? Sprinkling a little water and often over your plants encourages the roots to the surface, which damages the plant, can cause heat burn to the roots and leave it more open to attack from disease. Instead, give your plants a really good soak every few days to imitate rainfall. Water straight to the roots, avoid getting flowers and leaves wet especially if you are watering in the day as the sun’s heat can scorch the leaves.
Get to the root of the problem…
If you have a sapling or any other plant that requires frequent watering, it is advisable to sink a pipe or pot in the ground near to the roots. This way, you target the roots and the maximum amount of water will reach the plant. You can use the same technique with pots and trays by filling a saucer or shallow bowl under the pot to let the roots absorb the water over time.
Water in the evening
It will be cooler for you to work in and less of your precious collected water will be evaporated by the sun.
Water accordingly
Be mindful of where your plants are. Plants next to walls, fences and roofs may benefit from shelter but they may also receive a lot less rainfall so be sure to water these plants first. Learn about your plants and how much water they require. Common garden plants such as lavender, geraniums and sage are all Mediterranean plants and so, can live quite happily with as much rain.
Like to garden? If you have work to do in the garden this summer but cant see the wood from the trees, maybe it’s time to grab yourself a MIDIBAG or a MEGABAG and claim 10% off garden waste collection!
You won’t have thought about this question until you are getting stuck into a bit of DIY or renovation. Why would you? Plasterboard can just be chucked into a skip surely? Wrong.
