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Should I water garden?
Should I water garden? This is a very good question. And, often not looked at pragmatically.
Let’s look at some issues facing gardeners and of course the world.
- Water is a valuable resource.
- Many people around the world lack clean water.
- Supplies in the UK are under pressure because of climate change. No pun intended!
- Many houses have water meters, this equals expensive water bills.
- According to (Tiseo, 2021) the average person in the UK uses 142 litres of water per day. Excluding watering the garden.
First, can I afford to water the garden?
Think about it. Because watering an average garden for an hour 3 times a week, according to Rutt (2017) can cost an extra £20 per month. Note she wrote the article in 2017, prices have increased a lot since then.
Second, do I really want to use chlorinated water on my plants?
Do I really want to use chlorinated water on my plants? Hmm, not sure if I would suggest using tap water to water plants in the garden. Because, apart from the obvious, it contains low levels of chlorine to kill off harmful bacteria and make it safe for drinking. Chlorine is something that some plants may not like. Because it is possible, beneficial bacteria is killed by the chlorine and the plants may suffer because the plant may rely on the symbiotic relationship is has with bacteria.
If you must use tap water, think about using bath water or dish water. This is usually okay on lawns and the borders, providing it does not contain bleach or similar. It is best to leave this used water standing in a bucket or tub for a day before using it.
Third, should I water my yellowing lawn?
Will my yellowing lawn survive drying out? In short, yes it will. As soon as the first rain comes, you will notice the grass going back to its green colour. Also, do not forget, grass is usually covered in dew most mornings and this helps add moisture to the soil.
So you can put the sprinkler away and stop worrying about the lawn. Not only does this reduce the stress in your life, but it also saves you money. A lot of money! During 2021 my neighbour spent over £1000 watering her lawn because she was worried it was going to die during the hot summer.
But what about watering the plants and trees?
Established trees rarely need water because their large root systems go deep into the ground and suck up any water they may need. Only during an extremely severe drought. And if stressed, may need a little water.
Mulching around trees and plants helps keep the water in the soil. Make sure you do not pile the much up against the plant because this can damage the plant or tree. A suitable mulch is chipped bark or similar.
Do not confuse mulch with fertiliser for example, manure. While well-rotted manure will help, however manure is generally dug into the soil in the autumn, and it also stinks on a very hot day! There is also the danger of fertilising the plants too much and creating other issues. Therefore, it is best to stick with bark chippings or similar to use as a mulch and spread this around the trees and plants during late spring. We have heard coir (coconut fibre) mulch mats are perfect.
Should I water newly planted plants?
Unfortunately, you will have to. However, you can save a lot of money by investing in a water butt which is easily attached to the house roof gutters via a small junction in the downpipe. Not only does this allow you to use rainwater but also reduces the risk of using expensive chlorinated tap water. Some local water authorities sell water butts at reduced prices to help people save water.
Also, use a watering-can because it is far more efficient than a hose or sprinkler because it allows you to water only the plant that needs the water.
Remember to read the weather forecast to avoid planting or sowing seeds during a dry period or drought.
It is best to water early morning. Watering in the morning allows the plant to absorb the water as they become more active during the sunlit day. Because plants transpire when the sun comes out and will therefore need to take in more water.
If it is not possible to water in the morning, watering late evening is perfectly fine.
Either way, do not water during the day because the water evaporates in the heat of the day and the cold water can also “shock” damage the plants.
And Finally
There is no real magic bullet to avoid droughts or prolonged dry periods. However, there are some steps you can take to help your gardening to take the worry out of watering.
- If possible, buy drought-resistant plants.
- Plant out new plants between autumn and spring, if possible.
- Dig a small well next to the plant for water to collect in.
- Mulching newly planted plants is always advisable.
- Planning planting periods and the garden design will always help.
- And, don’t forget to buy a water butt.
- Don’t panic!
References
Rutt, R., 2017. How much does it cost to water my garden with a hose?. [online] This is Money. Available at: <https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-4717204/How-does-cost-water-garden-hose.html> [Accessed 8 July 2022].
Tiseo, I., 2021. Topic: Water industry in the UK. [online] Statista. Available at: <https://www.statista.com/topics/4916/water-use-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/#topicHeader__wrapper> [Accessed 8 July 2022].