Monty Don has warned those with green thumbs not to chuck out their washing up water in the summer months. The Gardeners' World star has given some useful tips on how amateur gardeners can keep their beloved plants hydrated, healthy and happy in the warmer months.
With hosepipe bans coming into effect across large parts of the UK and July on the horizon, Monty, 67, previously shared one way homeowners can water their plants during the ban. Last summer, the BBC presenter told viewers not to get rid of their sink water as Britain sizzled in a record-breaking heatwave, during which parts of the UK reached 40C for the first time in recorded history.
Speaking last year, Monty said: "I'm clutching a bowl of washing up water - grey water - because in the very dry conditions we've had you need to use whatever water you can. Grey water, whether it's a washing dishes or yourself, is perfectly good on floral plants."
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Whilst grey water is great for some plants, it is not suitable for others. "Don't use it on edible food," Monty warned.
"Let it cool down of course, and I've got it here for this clematis. But because it's a young plant, it means that its root system is fairly small. So, therefore, it's not able to access the moisture that might be deeper down in the soil, so I'm having to make sure it is really well-watered. And clematis is one of those plants that really needs water. So grey water is perfect for them."
More than two million homes are currently under a hosepipe ban across Kent and Sussex, with South East Water's chief executive David Hinton claiming yesterday, as the ban came into force, that people working from home was a "key factor" behind the ban, as it has "increased drinking water demand".
Low rainfall since April and the recent hot weather spell are also believed to have contributed to the ban, according to The Mirror.
Further down in the West Country, South West Water implemented a hosepipe ban in Cornwall and parts of Devon earlier this year. At the moment, there is no hosepipe ban for Bristol.
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