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Dig Deep and Beat the Ban This Summer!
With millions of homes at risk of a possible hosepipe ban this summer, due to low rainfall in recent months, PlantforLife warns that up to £9 million worth of UK garden plant life could be at risk of literally dying of thirst without the right preparation.
According to Nick Hall, gardening expert for PlantforLife - a campaign from the Horticultural Trades Association to encourage enjoyment of the health and emotional benefits of proximity to plant life - the most at-risk gardens are gardens in Staffordshire, parts of the West Midlands and Bedfordshire which typically have high clay content.
In dry conditions, this will eventually become a rock hard surface that rain will simply run off. The typically sandy soils of Sussex and north of the border in Scotland that dry out very quickly could also suffer should the temperatures rise without rainfall. Similarly the high chalk content in the Downs and the Chilterns means plant life here could also be adversely affected.
Nick advocates the 'MIST' approach for gardeners who want to keep their pride and joy green and luxuriant through the summer months.
M Mulching - adding a layer of damp organic matter such as bark mulch onto the surface of the soil - can ensure soil stays moist. Readily obtainable from any good garden centre, apply a two inch layer to retain water and keep weeds away.
I Irrigation - systems are a great way of watering a large area, as they deliver water directly to the soil where it is needed rather than scattering it haphazardly around. Ask at your garden centre for details.
S Soaking - your plants is far more water-efficient than frequent light sprinklings which do not reach the plants roots and quickly evaporate. Give your garden a good drink once a week until the soil is well charged with water rather than leaving the sprinkler system on haphazardly. This is also a great technique to encourage plants to make roots at the surface rather than to go deep in search of water.
T Trap - the water in - especially in pots and hanging baskets that quickly dry out during hot spells. Look for specialist composts which have a moisture retaining gel incorporated into them. And place a plastic saucer at the base of the tub or pot to act as a reservoir and prevent plants drying out.
Many gardeners are now looking for more drought resistant plants for their gardens, PlantforLife offer these suggestions:
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