Watering wiseley

The latest UK climate predictions warn us that our total annual rainfall is likely to increase in the future.

However, in the summer, when demand is at its highest, rainfall is likely to reduce by 10 – 20%.

This has serious implications not just for us, but also for our wildlife. There is a real risk that in drier periods, demand might exceed the amount of water that can be extracted from our rivers and underground supplies.

Water extracted beyond these levels is likely to damage and degrade our environment.

If we are to protect our beautiful wetlands both for the sake of wildlife and for people to enjoy, then we have to save water. But it is not all doom and gloom, as happily there are lots of things we can do in the garden to save water.

When we talk about saving water, we tend to think about using a watering can rather than a hosepipe, but there is a whole range of things we can do to reduce the rate at which water evaporates from our gardens, before we even think about watering.

Creating a new garden

If you are creating a new garden, you can incorporate water saving ideas into your plan:

For example, if you are on an exposed site, think about putting up windbreaks or planting shrubs to create shelter and shade.
Another good idea is to use large plants and garden structures to create areas of light shade in exposed, sunny spots.
It’s always a good idea to work with nature in the garden, so when you are choosing new plants, match the plants’ requirements to the conditions. After all, moisture-loving plants placed in a dry, sunny border are unlikely to thrive.
Remember also that features like large trees and house walls can shelter the soil from rain.
Healthy soil is the foundation of any good garden and it will help save water if your soil is rich in organic matter.
Adding organic material such as compost or manure will improve the structure of the soil and improve its ability to retain moisture; this is particularly important for new houses that often have shallow soils.
Water evaporates from any soil surface and so covering the soil with a mulch will help retain moisture, especially in the summer.
A whole range of materials is suitable including decorative mulches such as ornamental bark, pebbles, gravel and slate or recycled glass chippings.
If you are not so concerned about appearance, then newspaper, cardboard, old hessian-backed carpet, rotted straw or a thin layer of grass clippings can also be used – and as they break down, they add to the organic matter in the soil.
It can waste a lot of water trying to keep a lawn green, especially as even a brown lawn will generally recover once it rains. However, you can reduce the likelihood of your lawn turning brown by leaving it a little longer than normal.
If you keep an ordinary ryegrass lawn cut to around 5cm, it will trap dew and reduce evaporation from the soil.
Using a water butt to collect rainwater from roofs or other surfaces is an easy way of reducing water use and if you have a large roof area, a number of water butts can be linked together.
These will save water, and if you are metered, it will save you money as well. Some local councils or water companies offer water butts at subsidised prices, so it is worth finding out what is happening in your local area.
You can also recycle used water, known as ‘grey water’, from your bath and shower, bathroom and kitchens sinks. Just stick to a few simple rules: never store grey water; don’t re-use water that contains strong cleaning agents or chemicals; spread grey water around the garden and not repeatedly in the same spot.
A good way of making the best use of water is to install an irrigation system. These include both soaker hoses and drip systems.
They direct the water slowly and directly to the plants roots and although initial costs can be high, they can save time as well as water. Try to avoid sprinkler systems, as they are very wasteful.
If you have a lot of pots or containers, group them together and place them in a sheltered spot to reduce evaporation.
Although attractive, terracotta pots tend to lose water quickly so if you are planting up a new pot, line it with a plastic carrier bag (don’t forget to make some drainage holes).
You can also mulch the tops of pots – wine corks look effective!

Finally, these few water-wise tips will help you keep your water use to a minimum:

Water in the early morning or evening and when the wind is still.
Give plants a good soaking once or twice a week rather than a daily sprinkling.
Water the plant roots, not the leaves.
Make a slight depression around plants to hold water close to the roots.
In severe drought, remove half the leaves of large-leaved plants.
Fit your hosepipe with a ‘trigger’ attachment.
Grow plants that are drought resistant.