Gardens and lawns are an area where huge amounts of water are wasted.
Unnecessary and poorly timed watering and wasteful sprinklers are the main culprits, but with a little foresight there is so much more scope for saving.
First and foremost, stick to the Water Watchers Plan, it provides guidance around hoses, irrigation systems, and watering cans
Watering plants and lawns
- Don’t water during the heat of the day as evaporation will waste the water.
- Frequent, light watering encourages shallow roots, so aim for longer, but less frequent watering which allows the top layer of soil to start drying out before watering again.
- Many plants are much tougher than you think and will go for quite long periods without additional watering.
- Often plants and lawns are overwatered, this not only wastes water but can wash valuable nutrients from the soil and makes plants and lawns less resilient.
- Before you decide to water, stick your finger into the soil and if it is moist below the surface you don’t need to water
- Use a bucket to collect water while waiting for the shower to get hot and keep it in there while you shower. Use that water on your garden or to wash your car.
- Use compost and mulch to ensure soil stays moist for longer.
- Never cut your lawn by more than a third of the grass length. You can leave the clippings on the lawn to form a mini-mulch and retain moisture longer.
Sprinklers and irrigation systems
- Sprinklers and irrigation systems are prohibited between December and March.
- Micro irrigation systems that deliver water at or below the ground surface are very efficient as they water roots, not leaves. The slow rate of application means that no water is wasted through run off.
- Using a timer will ensure irrigation systems aren’t accidently left on.