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We all love to have beautiful green gardens but it's important to think about how we can garden responsibly to save water, protect our environment, enhance local wildlife and to make sure we have enough for future generations.
Your small actions make a big difference, so why not explore some of the ways to save water in the garden and plant more sustainably. Our water saving garden kit, handy tools and top tips can save you time, money and water.
Making the most of the rain
You don’t need a water butt to start collecting rainwater. You can simply use an old bucket, bin or container you likely already have at home. If you use a plastic container, you’ll also be giving the plastic a new lease of life and preventing it from heading to landfill. Storing rainwater also reduces your home’s carbon footprint as the rainwater has not had to be treated and pumped to your property. And for some plants rainwater is even like a light dose of fertiliser as its less acidic than water.
Water butts can be a great way for children to have fun with water in the garden, but please make sure they are supervised by an adult at all times.
A garden hose uses 5 times more water than a watering can - that's around 150 litres of water, the same as two baths full! So try and use a watering can where possible to save those extra drops, especially during the warmer summer months. Even better, fill up your watering can from rainwater collected in your water butt – which can fill up a watering can 27 times for free.
Keeping water in and weeds out
Be sure to weed regularly if you do spot any cropping up. Weeds compete with your plants for water and nutrients. Adding mulch, wood chip or bark to your garden beds allows the rain to penetrate through whilst minimising the amount of water lost due to evaporation - it also helps to keep weeds out.
How Anglian Water are saving water
Your garden needs a lot of love and care – and the same goes for our water. Whilst you’re hard at work in the garden, we’re working non-stop to make sure there’s enough water for everyone for both today and tomorrow. Find out how we’re saving and sourcing water responsibly here.
There are many benefits to making your own compost such as improving soil structure and adding extra nutrients for plants. You can use a hot compost system or food digester such as the Green Cone or Green Johanna in your garden. Unlike ordinary compost systems, these will take food waste and small amounts of fat, and help towards preventing pollution caused by blockages from kitchen pipes.