Water is probably the most important resource for gardeners, especially during the summer months. I felt it might be of some help to share what I do know and what I have learned about water conservation in the past few years. As we see more and more effects of climate change, there are regular hose pipe bans and depleted reservoirs in Ireland during summer months. It can be a good idea to plan ahead so your garden doesn’t suffer too much when the hose pipe bans come into effect.
Water butts
Water butts are perhaps the most common way to collect water in your garden. A water butt is a large container or barrel for collecting rainwater, often connected to a run-off pipe or guttering on your roof or shed. If you have a water butt collecting water from your roof, you can collect up to 24,000 litres a year (if you are in Ireland).
Water butts can be homemade if you have the resources, a large plastic barrel or tank will suffice and some piping to collect run-off rain. Water butt kits can be bought in most garden centres or hardware shops and usually cost between €50 and €100, depending on the size.
You can also get water butts from many local city and county councils for cheaper than in stores, so contact your local council to see what is available to you.
Grey water
Many gardeners and householders save what is know as grey water. This is the water left over from household cleaning such as dish-washing and washing machines, hand basins, baths and showers. You can do this by collecting the water with a bucket or you can install specific outlet pipes for your grey water to redirect it for use in your garden.
Keep in mind, if you do plan to use grey water in your garden, make sure to use environmentally friendly biodegradable soaps and detergents. If you think there may be chemicals in the water, best not to use on plants but you can use it for other garden jobs such as cleaning decking. When water meters were first introduced in the UK, residents collecting and recycling their grey water cut their water bills by 5pc.
Mulch
Mulch is a thick layer of material placed on soil and around plants. It can be used to suppress weeds and lock moisture into the soil.
Mulch keeps your soil from drying out, therefore, you will need less water. Make sure to use mulches in your garden, it helps to prevent water evaporating from your soil and also adds valuable nutrients to your soil.
Garden watering techniques
Many of us are guilty of over-watering our plants, not only is this a waste of water but it drowns the roots, inhibiting proper growth. When you do water your garden, do it early in the morning or in the evening, when the heat from the sun won’t dry out and evaporate your soil.
Simple tricks like placing your potted plants in a bowl or saucer to catch the run-off water can save a lot of water. You can also take a plastic bottle, cut off the end and place it in your pots then fill it with water. It will slowly drain into the pot at the roots, just where the plant needs it.
If any of my readers have some other water saving tips, please feel free to share them with me.
Whatever the political reasons for installing water meters, there is the positive spin-off, as you say, that the measure will hopefully make people consider how the are using water. For my daughter and I, I pay about £12 a month, which is about half what we would be paying in water rates if we were unmetered, even if we still attempted to conserve water. In other words, water meters might be a better deal.
As someone in the U.S. who has been paying for water all her adult life, this comes as a shock, that Ireland is just now being billed for the service. I can only add that I learned, though have yet to implement, that the Metropolitan Water District of Los Angeles water charges are basically for the water that comes back to the street and goes into the sewer, and that if you have a garden that you are watering, (so presumably the water is staying in the ground) you can install a landscape meter on your irrigation (I agree, don’t use sprinklers anywhere, wastes water!) to reduce your bill. In fact, I’m glad to be reminded to look into this, one of the many things I plan to do now that the nest is empty. 🙂 – Kaye
P.S. – It doesn’t rain here all summer and only about five times in winter, so to grow a garden you have to depend on city water.
I also was surprised that Ireland is now paying for water .. we’ve always had to do so. Yes, mulching is marvellous in so very many ways. (Victoria, B.C. .. where it is raining off and on right now!) 🙂