3122 Hose-pipe ban

I heard on the news today (as the rain battered the windows and gales rattled doors) that there's likely to be a hose-pipe ban introduced to parts of teh UK tomorrow (apologies for all non-UK members for a UK-centric news item!) ....it got me thinking though.

Whilst a recognise that a hose-pipe ban in Italy would be unlikely (and even more less likely to be followed) I'd be interested to hear everyone's recommendations on how I can drought-proof my garden in the UK.

[list][*]What plants are good?
[*]What flowers are less thirsty than others?[/list]

Category
Gardening & Agriculture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2006 - 11:13

...that [i][b]really[/i][/b] should read hose-pipe ban ;)

...............unless the fine are imposed as rigorously as the speed cameras in the UK

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2006 - 11:20

LOL, realised that too, there is a brilliant book by the Henry Doubleday research assoc. called "Gardening without water" written by Charlotte Green, there sre lists of plants and a host of tips, well worth a read and, it's less than a tenner !!! :)

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2006 - 11:39

Good post George - you come across very well when you know what you are talking about.:D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2006 - 11:58

That was on the news here some weeks ago - it was mainly for south east England supplied by a certain Water company whose pipes leak more water across the south eastern underground channels than actually reaches people's homes! But as it takes a long time to get those pipes sorted, it's easier to tell householders to watch their use of water....;)

This comes despite a wet winter in many UK regions ...

Waiting for a ban in Scotland! :D

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/02/2006 - 13:40

Thanks for the info. GeorgeS about the book.
I shall have to look out for that. As well as plants, does it include the relevant veggies to grow when water is scarce? I have plenty of seeds, both flowers and veggies to sow, as far as I am concerned, the more rain we have the better, especially where I am here in the very dry south-east.

A presto
Francesca.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 04:43

[QUOTE=Iona]That was on the news here some weeks ago - it was mainly for south east England supplied by a certain Water company whose pipes leak more water across the south eastern underground channels than actually reaches people's homes! But as it takes a long time to get those pipes sorted, it's easier to tell householders to watch their use of water....;)

This comes despite a wet winter in many UK regions ...

Waiting for a ban in Scotland! :D[/QUOTE]

I never understand these reports - they always seem to contradict one another - it is not long ago that I read that the water-table under London is rising because of the exodus of water-hungry manufacturing but I have also read that all the trees lining London's streets would die if all the leaks were corrected. The solution in Islington where we have a house seems to be to reduce the water pressure each year - so the solution in a four story town house is to have an eletric pump installed - what does that do for global? warming?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 05:39

[QUOTE=Iona]...Waiting for a ban in Scotland! :D[/QUOTE]

I reckon water's the only thing they haven't banned up there at the moment, isn't it??!?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 05:42

....but back to the question (I [b]really[/b] didn't want this to turn into a drone about the water companies (although I may look like I started it!) but wanted some real advice on [i]flaz & plarnts[/i]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 08:10

[QUOTE=Francesca]Thanks for the info. GeorgeS about the book.
I shall have to look out for that. As well as plants, does it include the relevant veggies to grow when water is scarce? I have plenty of seeds, both flowers and veggies to sow, as far as I am concerned, the more rain we have the better, especially where I am here in the very dry south-east.

A presto
Francesca.[/QUOTE]
Yes it does, plus a number of watering saving tips too, it is a splendid little book.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 04/03/2006 - 08:22

I'm afraid I don't know about plants but would it not help to have a vat in the garden collecting any rainwater WHEN it actually rains? In times of drought this can then be used sparingly?

Would love to send some of the downpours we had last week down south! ;)