Saving the plants and flowers by re-distributing water and rainwater scores well from an environmental perspective. A number of small actions, plus a little creativity, care and planning, can add up to a low-cost or even a no-cost solution to the gardener's concerns for the fruits of his or her labor during prolonged hot weather.
Water Conservation
If dry spells are going to present problems, then when water is available the first concern should be to try to reduce the amount of water draining away or evaporating. This will also enable watering to take place a little less frequently and save time for the gardener. Any water routing measures should direct water to the roots of a plant. For example, directing and retaining water can be improved considerably, in some cases at the planting stage:
- by placing gravel around the roots when planting shrubs, much more water will be available to the plant instead of soaking away in soil
- when potting plants, putting damp paper in the bottom of the plant pots starts, and thereafter will retain, moisture during watering. Newspaper should be avoided when doing this.
- with care, placing polythene in the area surrounding moisture-loving plants will help retain it for the plant's use
- reducing weeds around plants will prevent the weeds taking water away from the plant
- mulching around plants with tree bark, even discarded small pieces of wood and compost will significantly increase water retention and can be topped up regularly
- pots or containers placed under hanging baskets also reduce water loss
Recycling Water For The Garden
Re-using water is another substantial opportunity. If free of soap and detergent, water from washbasins and baths can be stored. Taking small container plants into the shower is another creative if seemingly eccentric method, but nonetheless effective. It should be borne in mind that water from washing machines is bad for plants and water from some types of water filter can carry chemicals from the filter so this should also be avoided.
Water Routing
One can go much further than simply using traditional water butts without detracting from the garden's appearance. In planning this or when preparing for a dry spell, identification of which plants will need the most water is worthwhile. Then water can be fed from gutters, water traps and with care from drains using pipeworks and tubes. These can be either below ground in which case marking their position is advisable or decoratively above ground where they can make attractive features in their own right. Ponds can also be fed in this way by either route. Capillary matting can be useable under some open-bottomed containers but does allow some wastage. Gravel beds with polythene liners similar to ponds, with lines of container plants, can also be used with care in some environments.
Garden Watering Equipment
Water butts, which might even be old dustbins, should be positioned so that their taps are high enough to transfer water and possibly higher to avoid the gardener having to bend. Again these can be made into decorative features. As well as hosepipes, watering cans and sprinklers, some additional ideas are quite simple yet very effective:
- By making holes near the top of plastic bottles and using them to water the plants, water can be more easily directed while being less wasteful and easier to carry
- To reach difficult spots with a hosepipe, an arm can be made using a pole and strong string to which to attach the hose
- An old hosepipe with small holes along its length, covered with mulch if on top of a flowerbed or slightly below the surface is both labor-saving and can be used to direct water most effectively.
 |
