Sizzling summer brings water challenges to gardens

Sun, Jul 27, 2014

Climate Change

Gardeners probably have mixed views on whether the current heatwave continuing into August is good or bad for their plants.http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoother/latest.aspx

Endless sunshine and soaring temperatures may encourage flowers to keep blooming but keeping your garden watered and preventing the plants from wilting can prove to be an ongoing challenge.

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Less than 3 percent of the annual water consumption of an average household is estimated to be from garden use, but at peak demand as much as 70 percent of water supplied may be used in gardens. This surge in demand can lead to water companies being forced to deplete groundwater and streams, which can cause serious environmental damage as well as raising the cost of water for consumers. Gardeners should therefore use mains water as sparingly as they can.

Even in dry districts, 24,000 litres (5280 gallons or 150 water butts) could be collected from the roof each year. However, most water falls in winter, and would have to be stored for use in summer. There are about 18 weeks from May until September when plants’ needs exceed rainfall. At first, the shortfall is met from soil reserves, but these can peter out by July, leading to about six weeks when watering is needed.

The RHS offers excellent advice on using rainwater and recycling grey water  in the Summer 2014 heatwave http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/Profile?pid=313

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This post was written by:

- who has written 872 posts on My Climate Change Garden.

I am not an experienced gardener - more of an enthusiastic amateur who learns by trial and error and who is keen to "manage" the effects of shifting weather patterns on my garden. Writing this blog is my passion and it has evolved over 12 years to inspire engagement with climate change outside our back doors, in our personal gardens and green spaces. My mission is to fertilise and expand this platform to grow a community of global gardeners communicating about the effects of climate change on our plants and exploring how each individual can make small changes in our lives to become more sustainable. The future of our gardens and #OurPlanet is in our hands - please plant your own seeds for our collective sustainable future.

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