Wise water conservation tips for your garden

In this age of global warming, temperatures are rising, and seasons are changing and merging with warmer winters, drier springs, and summers.

We need to look after our water and there are many things garden or allotment growers can do. Initially, we can put into place water harvesting by using water butts attached to downpipes. They come in all sizes so it’s not too difficult to get one to suit your space and they are now quite aesthetically pleasing and won’t stand out like a sore thumb. If you have a greenhouse or shed, they can be attached to collect the rainwater.

When designing your growing areas, think about the use of drought tolerant plants, especially if your areas have full sun. Try hebes, lavenders, cordylines, most grasses, echinacea and sedums.

Many drought tolerant plants have silver or greygreen leaves, their light leaf colour reflecting the harsh rays of the sun. Some have a coating of fine hairs on their leaves or stems, helping to trap moisture around the plant tissues. The use of ground cover planting will reduce evaporation from the soil, this includes plants like aubretia, ajuga and the saxifrage family. If left to their own devices will soon cover the ground beneath your not so tolerant plants.

If you are not one for the haphazardness of the cottage garden look and prefer an organised looking patch use mulches in the form of bark chippings, decorative slates and gravel. The ground can firstly be prepared with weed suppressant fabric or cardboard and covered with your choice of mulch. This is a really good way of keeping the ground moist.

Water plants in the evening and use a watering can to target the base of the plant. There really is no need to water the whole area where your plant lives. Each year I dig a fertility trench for my beans and spend the winter filling it with uncooked kitchen waste, this can be used for any planting and not just vegetables.

Sink reservoirs next to individual plants –historically these were made from terracotta, nowadays you could reuse discarded plastic drinking bottles. Pierce the bottle about five or six times, fill with water and screw the top back on and bury next to your plant. This will act as a drip feed.

Some jobs to keep you busy throughout May

Harden off tender plants raised indoors, but bring them back in at night to protect from late frosts

Pinch out the shooting tips of bedding plants and young annuals to encourage bushier growth

Plant up hanging baskets, but keep in a greenhouse or porch for a few weeks to establish, before putting outside

Plant out dahlia tubers and cannas after all risk of frost has passed

Sow sweetcorn in deep pots, so the young plants are ready to transplant into the garden in June Pick rhubarb stems as they develop, and water plants with liquid feed Apply liquid feed to tulips, daffodils and other spring bulbs to encourage a good display next year Earth up potatoes, covering the shoots with soil as they appear Remove faded spring bedding

May is a busy month for us all.There’s so much to do, so roll up your sleeves as the work you put in now will reward you with bucket loads of beautiful flowers and produce.

By Suzi M, plotter