Make the most of water
Ruth considers your options after the hot, dry spring
AFTER a winter that seemed to be constructed entirely of endless grey, rain-soaked days we then found ourselves with the sunniest spring, and the driest May in England on record.
While most of us welcomed the blue skies during lockdown, the continued rain-free zone over most of the
UK has left gardens and allotments arid and parched. Watering has become a daily task, which can be a concern if you are on a water meter and have been furloughed or jobless during the C19 crisis.
When making the most of your available water becomes essential, you need to use it wisely, collecting as much as possible and prioritising what gets the most or is first on the list.
Rainwater is the best liquid for your plants as it is natural and contains fewer chemicals than tap water (see panel, right). However, you can disperse the chlorine in tap water by filling your cans and letting them stand for 24 hours before use.
Installing at least one water butt to collect rainwater is a good start to a well-watered garden. It is easy to do, and if your water is on a meter it will save you a substantial sum. Butts come in a variety of sizes, from slimline 100-litre ones to rotund 2,000-litre containers and even reservoir tanks that can be buried in the ground.
If you have the room, attach them to drainpipes on the house, garage, shed and greenhouse near where your plants are growing. In this way you will maximise your collecting potential and won’t have to haul the full cans too far around the garden when doing the watering.
We have been using a lot of ‘grey’ water left over from washing the dishes and hand-washing. As long as it isn’t too contaminated with food scraps and grease, and doesn’t contain bleach, it is safe to use on plants. The same applies for water used for cooking pasta, vegetables and eggs.
Another top tip is saving the water that runs as the hot tap heats up.