![]() ![]() You can get an estimate of how much mains water could be saved in a typical garden by following this link and pledging to make the switch from mains to rains. Water butts are not the only way you can collect the rain. If all of your rainwater goes to a soakaway rather than the foul sewer you may be entitled to a discount from your water company. If you don’t have room for a water butt, you can still increase the water holding capacity of your soil by adding organic matter either as a top dressing, mulch or digging it in. Rainwater can be collected from the roofs of homes, garages, greenhouses and other garden structures as long as they have gutters and a down pipe that enters the drain at ground level. The minerals that are sometimes found in mains water, especially in hard water areas can raise the pH of your root zone, which can affect the nutrient availability. Rainwater is especially good for ericacious plants such as azaleas. Rainwater is also better for your plants as it often has a lower pH. A significant amount of energy and treatment are used to provide safe water to our homes so using stored rainwater or grey water in your garden also lowers your carbon emissions. As gardeners, we can help to avoid hosepipe bans in the future by using our water resources wisely. Our mains tap water in the UK is of the highest quality, but plants don’t need perfectly clean water. However, most water falls in winter, and would have to be stored for use in summer. During a dry spell, at first the shortfall is met from soil reserves, and then from deeper ground water as the soil can act as a wick to draw water upwards. Gardeners should therefore use mains water as sparingly as they can.Įven in dry districts, 24,000 litres (5280 gallons or 150 water butts) could be collected from the roof each year. Water resources in the UK are under pressure from climate change and population growth. Once plants have established, keeping your soil healthy by adding organic matter should help to minimise the need for watering. Newly planted shrubs, trees, herbaceous perennials, seedlings, annuals and vegetables will all need watering to be managed carefully until their roots establish. Plants are most vulnerable to shortages of water when they are first planted when their roots have not yet established into the deeper, moister layers of soil. Plants need the most water in hot, dry and windy weather, which is usually when water companies are least able to meet demand. Malvern Autumn Show - 22–24 September 2023.RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show - 5–10 September 2023.RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show - 18–20 August 2023.RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show - 2–6 August 2023. ![]() RHS Flower Show Tatton Park - 19–23 July 2023.RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - 4–9 July 2023. ![]()
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