Saving Water in the Garden
Submitted by Dolphin on Wed, 29/08/2007 - 10:09.
On a hot summer day, when supplies are at their most stretched, over 50% of the
-
water your garden in the early morning or evening – less is lost through evaporation.
-
Water the roots of the plants rather than the leaves, and water well, don’t just sprinkle a bit everywhere as none will get to the plant roots
-
fit a water butt to a downpipe from your roof or greehouse, to collect rainwater
-
If you are perennially short of water, or have very dry soil, choose plants that don’t require a lot of water. In general these types of plants have certain characteristics: succulent, water storing stems; silver or grey in colour; small, waxy leaves; and often covered in hairs to trap water. Examples are tulips, buddleia, red-hot poker, catmint, thyme, evening primrose, lobelia, rosemary For a top 100 list try this one .
-
Improve your soil by using compost, leaf mulch and manure, all of which help retain water, and break up dense soils to help them drain more easily in the winter. Peat does not help with water retention, or good drainage, and lowland peat bogs are very important wildlife habitats which are being destroyed
-
Use grey water or rainwater for your garden where possible
