Millions Of UK Gardeners Warned To Stop Using This Watering Technique By Friday

Water on grassI don’t know what I hate the most about heatwaves – the British stickiness, the ‘heatwave belly’ bloating, or even just the exhausting side-effects of being roasting hot all the time. Well, bad news for me. Right now, the BBC predicts temperatures of up to 33C this Sunday in yet another heatwave that might prove “particularly long-lasting”.And it might be worse news for gardeners, who will have to change their mowing and watering schedule while it’s hot out. Yorkshire Water has announced this year’s first hosepipe ban, which comes into effect on Friday and will affect over five million people, the BBC says.It’ll mean anyone in the affected area will be charged £1,000 if spotted using a hosepipe for watering their garden, washing their car, filling a paddling pool, and similar activities.Why is using a hosepipe in a heatwave so bad? Dave Kaye, the director of water at Yorkshire Water, said the rules “are intended to make sure we have enough supply for the essential needs of people across the region this year and next as well as making sure we are able to protect our local environment”. But why are they so bad for the water supply? Well, the Tameside Metropolitan Borough explained that “the average hosepipe uses 170 litres of water for every 10 minutes that it is turned on”. That’s been likened to “almost 19 flushes of a toilet in just 10 minutes”.Not great given that parts of the UK were considered at “medium” risk of drought this year (the Environment Agency has since declared drought across Yorkshire). Additionally, the design of the hosepipe is not optimal for irrigating your lawn. It leaves water on the surface of your soil, which quickly evaporates rather than reaching plant roots (a watering can is better for that).On top of all that, your plants much prefer rainwater to the stuff straight from the taps.How can I water my lawn without a hosepipe?Monty Don of BBC Gardeners’ World has previously recommended using “grey water” – used water from your bath, sink, or shower – for plants you’re not going to consume. “It varies in quality and may contain contaminants such as soap and detergent. Fortunately, soil and potting composts are effective at filtering them out, and the residues can sometimes act as a mild fertiliser,” the Royal Horticultural Society says.Because your plants love rainwater, a water butt, which collects all the runoff from your drains for watering throughout the year, is ideal if you have the space. If you don’t, though, keeping grass clippings on your lawn after mowing, mulching with everything from stones to coffee grounds, and watering early in the day can all also help. Related...UK Gardeners Urged To Pee In Watering Cans For 2 Surprising BenefitsUK Gardeners Urged To Show 'Small Act Of Kindness' To Bees During Heatwave'My Sprouts Looked Like Triffids' – 9 Plants UK Gardeners Regret Growing

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