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Beat The Drought
By admin | June 8, 2006
Here is a post for our unfortunate friends in England, who this year again despite being surounded by water and living in one of the most rained on lands in the world is again facing a summer of hose pipe bans, water shortages and gardening frustrations.
The following information is brought courtsesy of Mid-Kent Water. Tips and advice on Water-Wise Gardening and best ways to use your hose reel :
Economical watering: The aim of garden watering should be to apply water only at the stem bases beneath the foliage canopy, leaving the surrounding soil dry. This limits weed problems and ensures that water goes where it does most good. Light watering over a wide area is ineffective. Frequent light watering may encourage surface rooting, leaving plants more susceptible to drought.
Household Water : A useful additional source to water your garden is domestic wastewater. Water containing household soaps and detergents are harmless to established plants but water containing bleach, disinfectants and stronger cleaning products must not be used. It is unhygienic to use bath and shower water on edible plants. Sewage should never be used in the garden.
Lawns : In dry periods mowing should be less close and less frequent. This will keep the lawn greener for longer. Lawns usually recover when the autumn rains return.
Ornamental plants : Most ornamental trees and shrubs have such extensive root systems that they are drought-proof and need no irrigation. Herbaceous perennials often need irrigation for their best performance in summer dry spells, but drought-proof borders can be attained by selection of suitable plants and management techniques.
Water Butts: Don’t treat your water butt as an emergency water supply, aim to use it as much as possible so that whenever it rains it collects fresh rain water. There are often rainshowers throughout the year and it is surprising how quickly your water butt will be refilled.
If the water in your water butt is left to stand for any length of time, a small dose of milton disinfectant should keep it fresh. Make use of a Garden Sink to ensure you keep water useage to an effective minumum.
For full information, guides and tips visit the Mid Kent Water website
And finally, during this wonderfully warm summer, keep your garden need and tidy with a ReelSmart Hose Reel (hideaway)
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