How to be water wise in the garden

Due to the natural timing of plant growth, often we need the most water for the garden at a time when it is most scarce, so it is important we take care of every drop. Luckily there are many very simple steps we can take to reduce our water usage in the garden, and here are my top tips for how we can be a little bit more water wise:

Try using smaller watering cans, as they are far easier to use around the garden. Not only do they spill less water, but they are easier to aim, accurately delivering the water where you need it most.

Where possible, it is important to try to use a watering can rather than a hose pipe. Firstly, often the water coming out of your hose is clean-treated mains water. This water is of a quality that is simply wasted on your plants, and can even hamper their growth. Secondly, when you use a hose pipe it is very easy to spray water all over the garden. This water will then evaporate and never offer any real benefit to your plants.

When watering your crops, make sure you aim the water down to where the roots are. If you pour water all over the plant, a large amount of it will remain on the leaves, where it will evaporate.

Give priority to your newly planted plants, as these will always require more water than plants that are already established. When established, plants can often go without water for quite a few days.

Containers are undoubtedly great, but try your best to use the largest containers possible, as these will require less frequent watering.

Plant out your seedlings and small potted plants into the ground or larger pots as soon as possible. Due to the size of the small starter pots, they will often need watering two or three times a day!

Use that fantastic garden gold of homemade compost to mulch (add a layer) the soil around your plants and lock in moisture.

Weeds will appear in your garden no matter how hard you try to stop them. While you cannot prevent this from happening, you can control these weeds once they do appear. Try your best to remove as many weeds as possible, as they will create competition for moisture. It is worth noting this only applies to areas of the garden where you are growing crops or flowers that need to be watered.

Let your lawns turn brown when it is dry! I understand this might not look the best, but I promise you, as soon as you get your next rainfall, they will bounce back and return to that lovely luscious green colour.

Some plants are more drought tolerant than others, so consider this when planning your garden. Leafy greens such as lettuce can be quite water demanding, whereas crops such as carrots are more drought tolerant. Consider swapping out some more water-intensive plants for drought-resistant ones, to save substantial amounts of water over the course of the growing season.

If you are using pots to grow your plants, it is important they have drainage holes in the bottom, to prevent your plants from becoming waterlogged. To avoid this excess drained water going to waste, place a saucer underneath the pot to capture it. You can then pour this excess water onto your other plants.

Some people need a way to automatically water their gardens, and for years the sprinkler system has filled this need. Sprinklers can be extremely wasteful. Instead, try to use a drip irrigation system, as they are better at delivering water to the plants roots, where it is usually needed most.

Try to avoid watering during the heat of the middle of the day (unless you are saving a wilted plant). Instead, water in the mornings or the evenings, as this will help reduce evaporation, and allow your plants to absorb more moisture.

When it comes to watering, giving your plants a big drink once every few days will always be more beneficial than a light daily sprinkle. Plus, a light daily sprinkle will often use more water as you will lose more to evaporation.

Staying safe using stored water

Storing water has so many benefits, both for your garden and the environment as well as your wallet. But there are a few things to be careful of. Stored water is often not of the highest quality, and you need to handle and use it with a degree of caution. It should go without saying, please never drink it! Instead, focus on using it in the garden, for washing the car, using for building, washing the greenhouse, filling up ponds and watering your plants, but never for human or pet consumption. Here are a few tips to minimise risk and stay safe when using it:

• Keep your stored water in shade to reduce the growth of bacteria. The warmer the temperatures the easier it will be for bacteria to take over.
• Add a filter to your rain gutters to help avoid debris going into the storage system, which can often help to cause more bacterial growth. This filter does not have to be complicated; it can be as simple as a metal wire mesh attached to the downpipe.
• Always wash your hands after handling stored water. Good hand hygiene after being in the garden in general is always a good idea. I keep a tub of hand sanitiser in my garden shed, as a reminder to use it, then I always wash my hands upon returning indoors.
• Clean your water butts at least once a year, to avoid a build up of slime and bacteria. During a time in the year when your water butt is empty, remove it from the guttering system, and clear out any debris that has accumulated in the bottom.
• It is a good idea to disconnect your hosepipes when you are not using them, to avoid water sitting in the pipes for long periods of time. Water sat in hose pipes can harbour quite a few nasty bacteria, as well as get hot enough to burn you (or your plants) in the summer sun.

Get more advice from Joe Clark

Get more great gardening tips from Joe Clark in his book Garden to Save the World, published by Pan MacMillan or by following him on social media @joesgarden.official