Water Conservation - tips?

[Sazzle]

Dear all,

I'm, new to all this veggie growing and I'm concerned about how much water I will be using this summer to water my veggie patch(es) and greenhouse.

So far I reduced the number of pots so only have large pots for evergreen plants (e.g. buxus/bay trees) instead of flowers. We have 4 water butts (two off the house, one off the shed, one off the greenhouse. But have room for more.

We're on a water meter so will always have access to water, but my intention is to maximise natural water gain and reduce water loss rather than just tapping into (and paying) from the mains.

A colleague mentioned put some form of cover over the soil to reduce evaporation, so I wondered what you experts do...
Of course I could reuse washing up/bath water etc as well but if you have any tips I would be really greatful.

S.

[madderbat]

Hi Sazzle, and welcome to the vine.
The gardening programmes keep talking about 'mulch' to hold water. What they mean is leaf mould, bark chippings, any organic material really. In thickish layers this will help.
You can also use material that will let the water through and keep the sun off to stop evaporation. Old carpet is a fave for allotments, or that black plasticy stuff (forget its name) that you plant through.
Keeping plenty plant cover will also help stop evaporation. Don't dig things up too quickly, grow 'catch' crops in between and let surface rooting weeds like pimpernel, speedwell or other flowers take up some of the space.
I'm sure some of the other grapes will have more advice soon.
Good luck.

[MURFE 18]

Hi, sazzle and welcome i run a 650gal tank off greenhouse, and 4 butts large off shed interlinked, then we also catch water off the chicken pen, 2 butts inter linked to a bath, as there is no mains water on our site,
Mulch is another good water,retainer as madderbat says, i do not think you can have to much water storage, good luck.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi sazzle and welcome to the vine! Try this website:
www.environment-agency.gov.uk it has lots of useful tips and hints!
Looking forward to hearing how you get on growing your own. Best wishes.
Bernie aka Dexterdog

[Two_Sheds]

Top tip: don't water too much. I think we tend to err on the side of caution, and water when it isn't actually necessary. I water seedlings well, but once the plants are off, I tend to leave them to their own devices (unless visibly wilting). Last summer my neighbours were watering every evening, but they didn't get any more/better crops than I did.
I don't own a hose...too wasteful. I've got 6 water butts, all linked together. I don't pour water on the soil (evaporation) but pour it into clear plastic bottles (unobtrusive) sunk into the soil, so the water goes straight to the roots.
I also mulch with grass clippings which we get delivered for free, and my own comfrey leaf mulch. Always mulch onto wet soil though, not dry.
See any Permaculture book for top tips: Gaia's Garden is esp.good (they created a lush veggie garden in Mexican desert)