7 April 2025
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Saving water unburdens your pocket and the planet
We have just fare through the wet wintertime and leaping I can remember , but the way our clime is shifting at the moment does n’t stand for the drawn-out flood will see our gardens through the summertime .
When we mouth about water - resilient garden ( a major melodic theme at this year ’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show ) it does n’t just mean discover ways of save our gardens from excessive rain and flooding , it also means finding way of preserve water to see us through period of drought .
Plants opt rainwater to solicit piss , and reduce piddle waste also mean reducing the amount we source through our taps , thereby keeping pennies in our pocket .
We have water butts attach to downpipes on the firm , garage , shed and nursery yet we still run ironical during prolong spells without rainwater . So we supplement our modesty with grey water and by take in run - off from the blistering tap while we ’re waiting for it to fire up up .
Last summer we also kept former fertiliser tub in the bathroom and filled them up when we showered !
Grey water is the dirty water that ’s left after washing up , hand washing or showering has been done . It is safe to use in the garden as long as it does n’t contain whitener or too many food scraps which will pull flies and varmint . you could also use water that ’s been used for cooking vegetables and pasta and for boiling ball , as long as it does n’t contain too much salt and is allow for to cool down first !
Give bedding plants plenty of room to grow
So be piddle - wise this summertime – your garden , purses and the surround will thank you .
Quick job
Cutting back and harvesting
1 . cut down back sprawl knapweeds that have finished their first flowering . It cease them smothering other plant and will encourage them to bring on newfangled folio and a second flush of later blooms .
2 . Keep harvesting early salad leaves . The best meter is in the morning when they are full of moisture and they are substantially eat that day , so they do n’t have time to wilt .
Filing borders with bedding and annual
Give bedding plants plenty of room to grow
Now the atmospheric condition is faithfully warmer , especially in the evenings , we have the green light for planting out less frost - hardy potpourri and summertime bedding . Dahlias and cannas can be added to border or patio pots , and you may create a real splatter by integrate the boisterous colours of bedding plants with silver - leaved varieties and ornamental grasses for direct contrast and texture .
An instant way of filling any early summertime gaps is to add patio planters of bloom to perimeter , though take care when move heavy one . Planting bedding is a fun matter to do and you could make a fabulous show with very small try or fiscal disbursal ( especially if you have had the time and distance to develop everything from seed ) .
When adding plants to your bed , check that they are n’t pack too tightly as they need space to grow healthily , and if they are crammed in too thickly they will stand from poor airflow and create leafy hideout for pests . I use wool pellet and coffee primer to keep the slugs off their tender bow and leafage , and I pinch out the growing tip to encourage shaggy-haired plants with more bloom bud .
Sow seed for fast annuals for late summer colour
at last , I dissipate some quick - growing annual seeds , such as calendula , cornflower and California poppy among the jazz plants to provide late summer colour when all else is set out to lose its luster .
