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GARDEN ADVICE

Water Conscious Gardening

Being water conservation conscious does not have to mean abandoning gardening. There are a number of things we can do as gardeners to conserve water and still enjoy a beautiful display of flowers and foliage.

Applying a mulch to the soil such as bark chips helps keep the soil beneath moist. Watering in the evening when there is less evaporation makes sense. It is even possible to use washing-up water or bath water for this provided you have not been using too much detergent. 

Concentrate on watering newly planted subjects, hanging baskets and containers. Most well established trees and shrubs will manage without watering unless we have prolonged drought and high temperatures. Think about planting schemes and choose less thirsty plants, especially in hard to water parts of the garden.

Using rainwater collected in a water butt is a great idea and at least one water butt connected to the guttering is a must for every water conscious gardener.

Adding organic material to the soil such Organic Stable Manure helps to hold in moisture. Adding water retentive gel to the compost in pots or hanging baskets can significantly reduce the amount of watering required. 

Even the lawn can be helped to retain its good looks by a little aeration using a fork or aerator. As the name suggests this allows air down into the soil and it also permits easier water penetration. Also avoid the temptation to cut the grass too short. Slightly longer grass copes better in drought conditions.

So don't be put off. It would be a shame to miss out on the sight of Fuchsias, Geraniums, Petunias and so on. It is certainly not too hard to water a few pots with a can of recycled water and the sight of a pot of colourful plants on the doorstep or in a luxuriant hanging basket is a great daily tonic.