Watering is increasingly becoming an issue for gardeners. Parts of the country had a very dry spring, followed by one, if not two heatwaves – and when it has rained, it's often been a torrential downpour that sits on the hard-baked soil. Many are turning to drought-resistant plants, but they will usually need watering until properly established. While covering the soil with mulch can help retain moisture, most people will be reaching for hosepipes over the summer. Until water companies enforce temporary bans, they remain the most popular way to keep fruit and veg and flowering plants happy, but standard spray guns can be incredibly wasteful. PA's Hannah Stevenson has shared details of six watering aids you might want to consider.
Solar-Powered Automatic Irrigation
The Hozelock Solar Select Irrigation Kit, priced at £96.03 on Amazon, is a new automatic watering system powered entirely by solar energy. It is ideal for those heading off on holiday who'd rather not come home to wilting plants in pots and hanging baskets. A large solar panel powers three rechargeable batteries which power a pump to draw from rainwater collectors like water butts. It has 13 preset programmes to automatically water your plants and can irrigate up to 20 containers without needing a tap or mains power.
Self-Watering Pots Made from Recycled Plastic
The elho Foss Round Pots with Reservoirs cost from £11.99 on Amazon, available in mushroom and black, from 25cm to 43cm diameter. These stylish frost-resistant, lightweight planters are made from 100% recycled plastic and can be used indoors and outside. They have a two-litre reservoir which provides your plant with the water it needs and stores any excess for later.
Multifunctional Sprayer to Minimise Waste
The Gardena Classic Multifunctional Sprayer Starter Set costs £17.99 at The Range. This multipurpose gun allows you to target water flow according to the job and minimise wastage. It has four different spray patterns, suitable for watering flowerbeds, potted and delicate plants, for powerful cleaning and even fast-filling a watering can.
Attractive Water Butt with Planter
The Garantia 2-in-1 Linus Water Butt with Planter costs £274.99 at Crocus. While there are many water butts that serve their purpose, few are genuinely attractive. However, this one is tall and elegant with a stone grey ribbed texture and a planter on the top. You can lift it out to plant, and it drains down into the tank so nothing goes to waste. The statuesque water butt holds a good 220 litres of rainwater, so you can rely less on mains water in drier spells. Note: you’ll need to buy a diverter to connect the water butt to a downpipe.
Ancient Olla Irrigation Technique
The Back to the Roots Olla Irrigation Pot costs £16.82 on Amazon. Bury the porous unglazed terracotta pot next to your plant, fill it with water, then the moisture will slowly seep out and irrigate the roots. The technique has been used for more than 4,000 years by desert farmers. If you're on a budget and have some terracotta pots spare, Simon Ackeroyd has demonstrated how you can make your own – you’ll need to plug any holes at the bottom of the pot with putty or a tight-fitting cork. Use a matching clay saucer as a lid to reduce evaporation.
Stylish Indoor Watering Can
The Burgon & Ball RHS Woodland Wonders Watering Can costs £20.95 from New Gardener UK on eBay. If there's a birthday on the horizon or houseplants are your pride and joy, this beautiful indoor watering can is stylish enough to have on show. It’s perfectly balanced and features an elegant slender spout to ensure the water only goes into the plant pot and not anywhere else.
Prices correct at time of publishing.
