Temperatures in the UK are set to soar again in the coming weeks and many areas across the country already have hosepipe bans in place. This means that people won't be able to use a hosepipe to do things like water the garden, water plants or fill up a pond.
This news doesn’t worry me too much as I don't use a hose anyway. I stopped doing so a few years ago when I realised that wildly spraying my plants with a hose does very little for them and a better watering technique can be achieved with a watering can. To explain that a little more; when using a hose we tend to spray the leaves, the stem and everything else around the plants when really all you need to do is just focus your attention to the base of the plant. That is why a watering can is more effective- you use less water and you can be accurate with where the water goes.
‘How do I water the garden during the summer then?’ I hear you ask. Well, the first thing is I have multiple ways of collecting rainwater all around the garden. I have a rainbutt attached to the guttering from the shed, my grandma’s old cattle trough collects rainwater overflow from the roof of a building next door (which I use as a dipping tank) and I have lots of large pots, tubs and saucers scattered around the garden to make sure I am collecting every last drop of rain.
The other way I reduce my water usage in the garden is by looking after my soil. It might sound simple, or not, but the healthier your soil is, the better it will retain moisture and nutrients. You can improve your soil by digging in some composted material or some manure. The other way is to add a layer of organic mulch around your plants. This is great as it helps lock in moisture in the soil and stops it from drying out by providing a protective layer, plus it can also give vital nutrients. Mulches could be things like straw, bark, leaf mould and seaweed.
My top tips for saving water
Don’t bother cutting or watering your lawn in a heatwave. The longer blades of grass will provide shade for the soil underneath, helping to retain moisture. The longer the grass the less brown patches and anyway, brown patches will soon grow back.
Create lots of areas for rainwater to be stored. Saucers left outside provide great places to plonk down a pot that needs a good soaking.
Collect and use greywater. Greywater is water that’s not from the toilet such as cooking water, washing up water and bath water. Greywater is great to use in a hosepipe ban or heatwave, I just wouldn't use it on your edibles!
Get to know your soil, understand how it feels when it’s had a good soaking and when it’s too dry. Many people get into the habit of watering their plants once a week for example, without feeling whether the plant actually needs it.
For a bit more information on hosepipe bans and how you can save water, have a read of the BBC article below (I feature in it)
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