These handy gadgets mean your plants will no longer go thirsty
As you’ll well know (and as our editor Kim shares with her resiliency journey), the seasons continue to be ever changeable, and with that comes the need to be ever conscious of the role that water plays in our gardens.
I’m forever looking for ways to be more mindful with water, from saving rainwater to using tools that help us be careful about what we use. This week I’m sharing four of my top suggestions to help you water your green space more effectively.
Rainwater harvesting
When it rains, boy does it rain, so let’s use that water when the supply is ample. A long-established method for this is to attach a water butt to a downpipe on your house, shed or garage that takes any hassle out of saving every drop. If you’re on an allotment or are able to hide them away, then a very basic model will suit you just fine, but if your downpipe is in a more exposed and visible position then you may want to opt for something more attractive, such as the Stone 2in1 Water Butt 210 litres Lava from Garantia. Not only does it look rather pleasing on the eye, but you’ve also got a handy removable reservoir on the top to plant into which can create a real feature out of something functional. See garantiauk.co.uk for a whole range of water butts, starting at an RRP of £225.99.
Watering can with a difference
Once your water butt is full then you’ll want something to ferry the contents around in and a watering can is your best friend here. Of course, you can get these from any old DIY store but why not treat yourself to something special that’ll last you years and years? This is The Bearwood Brook from Haws, a one-gallon model in green. Made right here in the UK, actually very near to where I live, Haws watering cans have become somewhat of a classic in recent years thanks in part to their appearances at RHS Chelsea Flower Show among others. Manufactured from galvanised steel, which is then powder coated to ensure water won’t corrode the can over time. This is one watering can that you’re as likely to want to keep for yourself as you are to give it to a friend. See haws.co.uk, this one-gallon model has an RRP of £70 with larger sizes also available.
Resilient watering idea
If you’ve got a vast collection of large pots and containers, as I have, then you’ll know the time it can take going from one to the other with water. It can take even longer if you’ve got pots that dry out quickly or plants that need a decent steady water supply. When they need it most you’ll want to try a terracotta Pot Watering Olla from Crocus. These pots are buried within your pot, with the top still visible – then you simply add water to them, and it seeps out into the compost as the plants need.
I’ve even found that some of the more thirsty plants have grown around the olla to get first dibs on the water, genius! These have worked exceptionally well in our garden, particularly for tomatoes, strawberries and other fruit. See crocus.co.uk, available in either a small for with an RRP of £29.99 or large at £39.99
No more tangled hoses!
And if you enjoy the mindful moments of walking around your garden with a hose, but you’re forever winding and winding it back up at the end of a watering session then the Auto Reel Mobile from Hozelock is your solution. Available in a number of sizes, this simple design allows you to extend your hose into the depths of your garden and with one swift tug, the hose retracts easily back into the casing. When you’re finished with the hose then the easy mobility of the unit allows you to wheel it to where you like. No more endless coiling and manually winding up your hoses now thanks to this nifty bit of kit. See hozelock.com for all designs across the auto reel range and where you can find a stockist near you.
For more gardening advice, tips, and DIY projects, you can follow Adam on Instagram @viewfromthepottingbench
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