Hosepipe band have been brought into force across large parts of the UK, with the South West and South East bearing the brunt so far. Despite recent heavy rain, the UK's water reserves remain low and there are fears more bans will be brought into force as the weather remains hot and dry throughout July and August.
Nat White, Head of Brand Communications from Rated People said: “This summer has been a particularly hot one in the UK, and we’ve seen extended periods of hot weather and little rainfall. It’s no surprise that we’re being asked to decrease our water usage and steer clear of using hosepipes in gardens.
"Although this may be daunting to those who take pride in their gardens, we’ve put together our top tips to make sure your garden and plants are still well cared for from the very beginning of the ban.”
Hosepipe Ban: Tips for looking after your garden and plants
- Use a watering can to water plants. You can control the flow of water more easily than you can with a hosepipe and it’s still legal during a hosepipe ban.
- Water when the outside temperature is at its coolest . Water early morning or in the evening when the outdoor temperature is at its lowest. Less water will evaporate, meaning less water will be wasted.
- Use greywater. Greywater is household wastewater like water from your shower, sink or leftover boiling water. Collect this to use in your garden. Water that you’ve used to boil vegetables can contain minerals so it can be great for your plants - just remember to let it cool down first to avoid damaging them.
- Consider getting a drip or trickle irrigation system. These systems are exempt from hosepipe bans because they are efficient in distributing water. They need to be fitted with a pressure-reducing valve and a timer and they can’t be handheld. The timer controls how long your system is on and shuts it off automatically and the pressure-reducing value prevents spikes in water pressure which can lead to a flood. Ensure your system releases water drip by drip onto or beneath your soil, so you don’t see any water running off the surface or travelling through the air by jet or mist.
- Conserve moisture that’s already in the ground. Lay mulch-like bark chippings over the soil to help reduce water evaporation. Doing this can also make your drip irrigation system more efficient.
