Saving water unburdens your pocket and the planet
We have just come through the wettest winter and spring I can remember, but the way our climate is shifting at the moment doesn’t mean the prolonged deluge will see our gardens through the summer.
When we talk about water-resilient gardens (a major theme at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show) it doesn’t just mean finding ways of saving our gardens from excessive rainfall and flooding, it also means finding ways of saving water to see us through periods of drought.
Plants prefer rainwater to tap water, and reducing water waste also means reducing the amount we source through our taps, thereby keeping pennies in our pockets.
We have water butts attached to downpipes on the house, garage, shed and greenhouse yet we still run dry during prolonged spells without rain. So we supplement our reserves with grey water and by collecting run-off from the hot tap while we’re waiting for it to heat up.
Last summer we also kept old fertiliser tubs in the bathroom and filled them up when we showered!
Grey water is the dirty water that’s left after washing up, hand washing or showering has been done. It is safe to use in the garden as long as it doesn’t contain bleach or too many food scraps which will attract flies and vermin.You can also use water that’s been used for cooking vegetables and pasta and for boiling eggs, as long as it doesn’t contain too much salt and is left to cool down first!
So be water-wise this summeryour garden, purses and the environment will thank you.
