How you can be wise with water...
With increasing demand for water it is important to find ways of conserving this valuable resource. Saving water in the garden can help lessen the risk of drought orders and water restrictions, help protect wildlife and reduce climate change impacts.
Use these guidelines and save water as you grow...
Retain moisture
Add SwellGel water storing granules to pots, tubs, hanging baskets, growbags and more to help keep compost moist.
Strong roots and healthy plants
Add SwellGel water storing granules when planting bedding, trees, shrubs, vegetables and hedging to ensure deeper root penetration into the soil to help maintain a healthy plant.
Line pots and baskets
Line the sides of terracotta pots and hanging baskets with polythene to prevent evaporation.
Water in the cool of evening
In summer water your garden in the cool of the evening, this will reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation and allow plant roots to be cool and moist right through the night.
Use a water butt
Collect rainwater in water butts from your roof rather than wasting treated drinking water on your garden.
Use a watering can
Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe when watering your plants and only water around the base of plants.
Fit a trigger nozzle
If you prefer to use a hosepipe, fit a trigger nozzle to control the flow.
Don’t sprinkle regularly, soak infrequently
Infrequent soaks will be more effective than frequent sprinkling as they will encourage roots to search for water deeper in the ground and discourage shallow roots.
NO sprinklers
Avoid using garden sprinklers, they can use as much water in an hour as a family of four uses in a day.
Use mulches
Mulches such as wood chips, bark and gravel help to prevent water evaporation and also suppress weed growth, saving you both water and time spent weeding.
Remove the weeds
Regularly weed and hoe your garden to ensure that the watering is helping plants and not weeds.
Use plants that love hot & dry
Plant flowers and shrubs that thrive in hot and dry conditions such as thyme, evening primrose, rock rose, Californian poppy, pinks, lavender, buddleia and hebes.
Not too short & save the clippings
Don’t cut lawns too short and save clippings to use as a mulch.
Yes, you can use bath water (cooled)
Greywater from baths and showers can be used to water non-edible plants. Make sure you cool it before you use it and avoid pouring it straight on the foliage.
Minimise water loss
Put a saucer under pots and containers if possible to minimise water loss.