
How To Save Water In The Garden; 10 Top Tips
Help the environment and reduce your work by saving water in the garden
- Save rainwater. Install as many water butts as possible.
- Use a seep hose. Placing the hose just under the soil ensures that the water reaches the plant roots directly, with no evaporation. A lot of water is wasted by spraying; by evaporation and being re-directed by foliage and not reaching the roots.
- Plant drought tolerant species.
- Incorporate organic matter. If gardening on free draining soils dig in organic matter, such as; leaf mould, compost or well-rotted farmyard manure. This will hold onto the moisture and improve soil structure.
- Plant ground-cover plants. Covering the soil in vegetation will reduce evaporation. For example, in the vegetable garden inter-plant taller crops with a salad crop.
- Mulch. Give the ground a good soak then put down a mulch of chipped bark, straw or leaf mould. This not only reduces evaporation but also cuts down on the weeds which will compete for moisture and nutrients.
- Re-cycle water. Water tough plants, such as shrubs, with re-cycled washing-up or bath water.
- Soak plants. Give plants a good soak as this encourages the roots to go deeper. Watering a little and often encourages a shallow root system, which will not withstand a dry spell as well as the plants which have rooted down into deeper, damper soil.
- Use water retaining crystals. Incorporate water retaining gel crystals into the compost when planting up tubs and hanging baskets.
- Line containers with plastic. Place a plastic lining around the inside of containers; remember not to cover the drainage holes. This reduces evaporation, especially with clay pots.