Planning for the drought?

[Rabidbun]

The news is full of it. The drought that is. So, incase it isn't just another way to sell some papers, what plans are people making to grow their veggies during a drought if it happens this year?

I am hoping that the new water butt fills before then, but am putting as much as I can this year into soil, not pots, am looking at buying a mulching material and am making plans to fill watering cans using old vegetable boiling water (can I use pasta water on veggies does anyone know?) and the water from the shower and taps before they start running hot come the time.

[lottie dolly]

we are lucky enough to have quite a lot of stored water at the lotties,any weeds or grass clippings will go on as mulch,maybe plant some trailing squash on the edges of the plot and trail through some taller plants,thus hopefully will provide a living mulch,just make sure you have enough room to wade in for the harvest,if possible and got transport,you could always fill any containers with lids on,like pop and milk ones,with any saved water from home,and take to the lottie if you not got enough on site,

[sowitgrowit]

I have pots planned for a large proportion of this year's veg (florists' buckets) - I'm going for a system that waters below with a "wicking" pot between - I'm sure you've all seen them or read about them.

In the ground I'm hoping lots of mulch will see me though. Good idea about watering with veggie water and similar though.

[Potstubsdustbins]

A total of 7 water companies have today announced that they are bringing in hose pipe bans.

Colin

[Two_Sheds]

I don't like paying for water, (on a meter) so I always behave like we have a ban anyway. Not smug, just tight

[alex-adam]

..........vegetable boiling water (can I use pasta water on veggies does anyone know?) and the water from the shower and taps ...........

Almost any 'grey' water will be OK, veg and pasta, bath & shower water (all cooled, of course) should present no problems - avoid dishwasher or washing machine water (except possibly the final rinse) as the detergents etc., may be harmful.

a-a

[lottie dolly]

Almost any 'grey' water will be OK, veg and pasta, bath & shower water (all cooled, of course) should present no problems - avoid dishwasher or washing machine water (except possibly the final rinse) as the detergents etc., may be harmful.

a-a

during the last ban,a few years ago,i used the last 1 or 2 rinse waters from the washer,all i did was looked to see how clean it was first,and no ill effects at all,it is how ever it's wellies on and buckets at the ready,it comes out fast lol

[SlugLobber]

We're installing another of those huge white container thingies near my part of the plot, so I have my own supply. Already divert rainwater for the ponies (although they're exempt). Need to sort a clean siphon tube for the kitchen sink, but have a bin outside the window ready to collect it all. Hadn't thought about collecting washing machine water, but will see if I can somehow do that, too. Already collecting washing up water and using it on pots and baskets.

Reckon that'll do it!

[Thelma Sanders]

I've started to save shower (ocassionally a bath) water for flushing the loo.
Then if I need to use the watering can on the garden veg, once the waterbutts are empty, the bill should even itself out.

The allotment will just have to take it's chances once the butts are empty, the tap to fill the watering can is quite a way away and too much water carrying isn't good for my back.

[Two_Sheds]

Thelma, have a look at this for pumping your bath water out to the garden: I've had mine for 3 years now, it's brilliant

[Sarico]

sorry guys, i was wondering that bath and shower water is ok to water plant even veg? are the soap bad for the veg... do they have any chemical inside that may be dangerus?

[sowitgrowit]

Thelma, have a look at this for pumping your bath water out to the garden: I've had mine for 3 years now, it's brilliant

That's fantastic, I was thinking of how I could utilise the bath water easier last year (I ended up traipsing through with a watering can).

Thanks for sharing.

[Farmer_Gyles]

i'm using black weed control sheeting - not only does it keep the weeds down, it lets rainwater through and helps prevent the ground drying out

i now have 5 water butts and a nice little system to link them all - the garden slopes downhill, so the ones on the veggie patch are easily refilled from the ones at the back of the greenhouse and the back of the lean-to

i'll be looking into diverting shower water into water butts at some point, and i'm also going to start saving bottles for storing water we're going to grow more fruit and veg that ever, so will need a lot more water than before ....

[VirginVegGrower]

Is it wrong of me to feel smug that the one and only tap is smack in the corner of my plot? Yes I thought so

[singleseeder]

I collect a bucket full of cold water from my shower before the hot water comes through from the combi; it is in the garage now - the combi, not the shower

Also, I keep a milk bottle by the sink to collect cold water from the kitchen tap whilst waiting for the hot. If I misjudge it and the water in the bowl is too hot, I can always pour some back from the bottle.