water saving

The water butts have long run dry, and feeling a bit guilty about watering the garden, not to mention thinking maybe we shouldn't have had a water meter fitted, we've started showering in the bath with the plug in and siphoning the water off afterwards for the garden. Surprising how much there is, certainly enough to make a difference. It's a bit of a faff, but it feels good not to be wasting all that perfectly re-usable water.

I also noticed that one of the veg beds which I had covered with cut open compost bags months ago (mainly to keep the cats off until I planted it) has actually stayed quite moist underneath, as well as weed free. I'm wondering about planting through a plastic mulch for larger plants like courgettes and tomatoes, since it seems to be so effective in preventing the soil from drying up. Obviously need to make sure that rainfall (if we ever get any??)gets channelled to the plants rather than running off, but on a flat bed that should be possible.

Anyone else got any crafty water-saving tips?

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Comments

Eric Walker May 7, 2011 at 10:58am

What ever prompted you to have a meter fitted? When I was in the army I was told never to volunteer for anything. If I had a meter my pension wouldn't cover the cost of the water for the 40ft greenhouse & the outdoor veg garden. It has just rained for 3 mins & now the sun has come out.
Rose Lennard May 7, 2011 at 9:08pm

Good point Eric! We are 2 people in a 4 bed house so pay a lot for water rates and in normal circumstances save a lot of money with the water meter. But I don't have a 40ft greenhouse! Anyway - the first really decent rain has fallen here over the last 24 hours and the garden and I are breathing a deep sigh of relief :o)