AFTER the warmest ever June and driest spring for 132 years, temperatures are creeping up yet again.
The first hosepipe ban from Yorkshire Water comes into place tomorrow – and it’s highly likely more will follow.
We have six top tips to beat hosepipe ban without breaking the rules[/caption]
Breaking the rules could land you a £1,000 fine.
But when your garden hits 32C, plants start wilting, can get scorched or stop growing.
Sun Gardening Editor Veronica Lorraine has some top tips to beat the ban.
EXCEPTIONS: First of all, there are a few gaps in the rules, so check the small print when a ban comes in.
For example, the Yorkshire Water ban does not include Blue Badge holders or those people on the company’s Priority Services Register or WaterSure tariff, for medical reasons.
It also confirmed a hosepipe can be used for watering food crops but not general flowers and plants, and you can water newly laid turf or grass seed for 28 days with a hose.
Grass roofs are also not covered, as well as trees that are single stem with no side branches for at least 1.8m above the ground – if planted in the past three planting seasons.
If you have got a fixed drip or trickle irrigation system in place, as long as it is not misting into the air and is connected to a metered water supply, you can carry on using it.
These are specifically designed to release water slowly along their length and create much more efficient watering.
If you have just bought a hot tub, you can use a hose to fill it for the first time, but after that, only by bucket.
GREY WATER: This is waste water from daily routines such as showers, baths and laundry.
You can re-use it in your outside space. If you have a condenser tumble dryer, it could be a secret weapon against water shortages.
You could even shower with a bucket alongside you to collect water.
And if you don’t fancy trekking up and down stairs with buckets after a bath, there are pumps you can buy that go from the bath, out of the window and down to a container.
Do not do your watering in the daytime[/caption]
CLEVER WATERING: Do not water in the daytime.
It is a waste as the water will evaporate.
Aim for early morning before it gets too hot or when the sun has gone down.
But first thing is best as slugs move around at night and love the damp soil.
Aim directly for the roots and give them a really good soaking once or twice a week rather than a light water daily.
Count to between 15 and 20 seconds as you water each plant, to make sure it soaks down to the roots.
A water butt connected to your downward gutter pipe is a great asset[/caption]
RAIN STORAGE: It may be too late this time, but if you have the space, a water butt connected to your downward gutter pipe is a great asset.
A stand-alone butt also does a great job.
There are all sorts on the market, including those that attach to walls.
They are great for smaller gardens but if you do not have room, leave a few buckets around to catch any rain.
You could also invest in self-watering plant spikes that you fill with water and stick in your planters.
They release water slowly, reducing the need for a daily soak.
Fill your garden with plants that need less watering[/caption]
TACTICAL PLANTING: There are a lot of plants that do better in drought than others, so it may be worth buying some for the future.
Agapanthus, pittosporum, lavender, wisteria, jasmine, fig trees and Fatsia Japonicas do well.
Plus, there are geums, sedums, achillea, hardy geraniums, rosemary, salvias and ornamental grasses.
Succulents such as sempervivum and echeveria store water in their leaves so are good for dry conditions.
And remember to mulch your plants, which means covering the soil around them with a thin layer of protective material that will keep in moisture.
This could be wood chippings, well-rotted manure, gravel, shredded leaves or special garden mulch.
Also, group your pots together to give them a bit of shade.
LAWNS: There is no shame in letting your lawn go brown rather than wasting huge amounts of time and water trying to keep it fresh and green.
If it is healthy, it will cope and go back to green once the rain comes.
Also, let it grow longer for a while as this helps retain water and keep the soil moist. If you must mow, raise the cutting level.
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