WITH WATER-WISE TIPS

WITH WATER-WISE TIPS The advice in this booklet has been provided by Nigel North, Evergreen Landscapes. Booklet designed and produced by Colton Marketing Ltd. A HELPING HAND IN THE GARDEN The 16th Century philosopher Francis Bacon once said, “Nature, to be commanded, must be obeyed.” and nowhere does this apply more than in a garden. To garden successfully you should work hand-in-hand with Nature, co-operating with soil and weather conditions, rather than battling against them. Similarly, the Earth’s natural resources are precious and should be treated with great respect. An understanding of good gardening practices will help you to use these resources wisely. To a gardener and his beloved plants, water is more than an essential resource and, understandably, much of the advice in this booklet involves the wise use of water. Adopting water-wise practices will not only help to conserve water, but will ultimately save you time and effort whilst achieving far better results. This booklet has grown out of the weekly gardening tips which we have been running in the local newspaper, and it has been written by the same professional gardener. It is designed to guide you through the seasons, following the annual cycle set by Nature, highlighting basic jobs that need to be tackled at certain times. However, you should always be wary of the weather which will govern when, exactly, these jobs can be undertaken. Above all gardening should be enjoyable. Never become enslaved and don’t expect everything to succeed - trial and error is all part of the fun! January presents a good opportunity to make plans for the coming season. Inclement weather prevents much being done outside, but from the comfort of an armchair or a heated greenhouse there is much to do. ✿ Whilst empty, give the greenhouse a thorough clean; fumigate to kill over-wintering pests and replace any damaged glass. ✿ Armed with a collection of seed catalogues, choose flower and vegetable varieties for the spring and summer. ✿ Check ties and supports of trees and wall plants, and firm around new plantings which may have been lifted by frost or rocked by wind. ✿ Give dormant fruit trees a tar oil wash to kill off the over-wintering eggs of many pests. ✿ In the greenhouse sow early vegetables, sweet peas and slower maturing summer bedding plants such as geraniums and begonias. ✿ De-ice a small area of the pond to prevent a build up of poisonous gases which can harm pond life. Witch Hazel WATER-WISE Tip All vegetables need plenty of water initially. Thereafter, they require differing amounts of moisture to crop successfully. On light, free-draining soils, thirsty crops such as lettuce, cabbage and others with edible leaves can be helped along by adding generous quantities of organic matter or are otherwise best avoided. Once established, onions, asparagus and many root crops, such as carrots, cope well with little or no watering. February usually brings slightly warmer temperatures and the first signs that spring is near. Weather conditions, however, can change dramatically and very quickly. Increasing daylight triggers early growth of plants under cover. ✿ Cover plots with polythene or cloches to warm the soil in readiness for sowing early vegetable crops next month. ✿ Lift, divide and re-plant overcrowded clumps of snowdrops once they have finished flowering. ✿ Feed fruit trees by dressing around the root area with sulphate of potash or a good general fertiliser. ✿ Towards the end of the month, prepare ground for sowing hardy annuals. Raking in a little general purpose fertiliser will work wonders. ✿ In mild weather, continue planting trees and shrubs. Container-grown plants can be planted at almost any time of the year, but barerooted ones must be planted during the late autumn and winter months when dormant. ✿ Prune hard any shrubs such as cornus and Snowdrop salix which are grown for their brightly coloured winter stems. Do the same to buddleias and late flowering clematis. WATER-WISE Tip Mulching the soil surface, when wet, with a 5-7.5cm (2-3 in) layer of chipped or composted bark, cocoa shell or leaf-mould, besides being attractive, will trap moisture and suppress weeds. As it decomposes it also helps improve the structure and the water holding capacity of the soil. Gravel and pebbles will create an attractive feature whilst keeping roots cool and conserving moisture. The gardening year really gets under way this month as days lengthen and sunshine hours continue to increase. Temperatures can soar during the day but drop away dramatically at night, so tender plants still need plenty of protection. ✿ Prune bush roses. Remove weak, dead and crossing growth. Remaining stems should be shortened to a strong outward facing bud. ✿ Lift and divide overcrowded clumps of herbaceous perennials. ✿ Trim winter heathers to remove faded flowers. ✿ Under cloches, in pre-warmed soil, sow broad beans, carrots, peas, onions, radishes, parsnips and other early crops. In a heated greenhouse, sow tomatoes and summer bedding plants. ✿ Weather permitting, give the lawn its first light cut of the season. ✿ Sow hardy annuals in prepared ground. By sowing direct there will be no root disturbance and thus they will need little or no watering to get established. ✿ Take cuttings of over-wintered tender perennials which have started into growth. ✿ Protect new shoots of herbaceous perennials from slugs and snails by applying pellets, coarse grit or a liquid slug bait around vulnerable plants. WATER-WISE Tip Always work with prevailing soil conditions rather than against them. There are many drought-tolerant plants, for instance, which , once established, will cope admirably with hot, dry conditions. Typically, these include plants with fleshy, succulent leaves, grey or silver, woolly or hairy leaves and those with thick waxy foliage and stems. Daffodils Steadily rising temperatures, ‘April showers’ and higher light levels persuade trees and shrubs to unfurl their fresh new leaves. Frosts are common and can sometimes harm tender young leaves and flowers, although the damage is seldom permanent. ✿ Tie-in early growth of climbing plants to prevent it becoming tangled or snapped by strong winds and rain. ✿ Be vigilant for any signs of pest and disease (especially in the greenhouse) and treat promptly to keep the problem under control. ✿ In the greenhouse, plant up tubs and hanging baskets with plants for summer colour. Ventilate in warm weather and shade as necessary. ✿ Apply a balanced general fertiliser to the soil around shrubs, trees and perennials to encourage strong, healthy growth. ✿ Mow the lawn at regular intervals, gradually lowering the height of the blades. ✿ In addition to the vegetables listed in March, sow lettuce, sprouts and cabbages. Plant asparagus crowns and main-crop potatoes. Sow cucumbers and outdoor tomatoes in a heated greenhouse. ✿ Hoe off annual weed seedlings and dig out or treat perennial weeds, such as dandelions, with a weedkiller. Primrose WATER-WISE Tip When planting up tubs and pots, mix waterstoring granules with the compost. They act like a sponge, soaking up water and preventing it from draining or evaporating away. For sunny sites, where compost will dry out more quickly, choose sun-loving, drought-tolerant plants such as geraniums and petunias. Mulch the surface of the compost with gravel or pebbles to further conserve moisture. The merry month of May is a busy one in the garden. A likely succession of sunny, dry days warm the soil encouraging rapid growth. Night frosts are possible, so tender plants may still need protection even late in the month. ✿ Mulch around raspberries and other soft fruits with well-rotted organic matter to retain as much moisture as possible whilst the fruits are developing. ✿ Sow sweet corn, peppers, melons and cucumbers in the greenhouse. Outdoors, sow runner beans and make successional sowings of salad crops for a continuous supply. ✿ Trim evergreen hedges now that they are growing vigorously. ✿ Remove dead flowers from spring bulbs, but leave the foliage to die down naturally. Feed with a liquid fertiliser to build up energy for next spring. ✿ Apply a combined lawn weedkiller and fertiliser. Repair damaged patches with turf or seed. ✿ Harden-off summer bedding and plant out later in the month when danger of frost has passed. Plant fairly densely to reduce moisture loss in hot weather. If weather permits, place hanging baskets and planted containers in their final positions. WATER-WISE Tip Hanging baskets should be planted up in a similar way to tubs and pots using water-storing granules. Line open-sided baskets with black polythene or, alternatively use closed-sided plastic baskets. Some have a built-in reservoir allowing plants to take up water as they need it. When planting the top, leave a shallow depression in the centre to stop water running off to the sides and being wasted. Rhododendron During June day length reaches its maximum and, consequently, plants are growing at their fastest. Frosts, although unlikely, are not unheard of this month. In the absence of rain, new plantings will need careful watering to help them establish. ✿ Continue planting out summer bedding plants and outdoor tomatoes. Water well initially to get them established. ✿ After flowering, trim rockery perennials such as aubrieta, arabis and alyssum to keep them neat and compact. ✿ Begin feeding melons and tomatoes as well as bedding plants growing in containers and hanging baskets. ✿ Prune spring flowering shrubs to encourage strong new growth which will carry flowers next year. ✿ Mend leaking hose-pipes and repair or replace worn tap connectors to avoid wasting water. Ponds should also be Rose checked for leaks. ✿ Sow biennials, such as wallflowers and stocks, and perennials such as delphiniums and lupins in prepared seed beds outdoors. ✿ Thin overcrowded plums and grapes to allow a better quality crop of larger individual fruits. Summer prune currants and gooseberries. WATER-WISE Tip To aid watering, pierce a small hole in the bottom of a plastic lemonade bottle and sink it in the soil beside thirsty plants such as tomatoes. Fill it with water and top up as necessary. This will ensure the water is directed towards the roots where it is most needed rather than simply wetting the surface. Small banks of soil built around plants will also help to send water in the right direction. By following the water-wise tips in this booklet each month it is easy to have a lovely garden which gives a lot of pleasure and, at the same time, saves water. We have created our own watersaving garden at Head Office in Bristol to show many of the water-wise tips in action and other interesting features as well. If you would like to visit the garden contact Corporate Affairs on 0117 953 6470. Topiary Water Features Some garden features: • Many species of plants which thrive in drought conditions are displayed in the garden. • There’s a Japanese-style dry stream, which glistens after rain, and a wet area too, with deep water, shallow water and damp-loving bog plants. • Recycling fountain supplied by a small concealed reservoir. • A layer of bark mulch suppresses weeds and reduces the need for watering. • Part of the original wooden pipe which carried water down Bristol’s Park Street almost 300 years ago. • The garden has thrived with only minimal watering since it was created in 1996. • Rainwater is collected off the summerhouse roof for watering the garden. Recycling Fountain Aquatic Area Wooden Water Main Dry Stream Water Butt Prolonged dry spells and the highest temperatures of the year are likely, so water-wise practices are especially important this month. Warm weather also provides an opportunity to relax and enjoy the results of your earlier efforts. ✿ Feed rhododendrons and other acid-loving plants, especially those in pots, with a fertiliser specially formulated for them. ✿ Keep a watchful eye for pests and diseases and take action at the first sign of attack. Treat with chemicals or biological control. ✿ Hoe-off or pull out weeds as they will compete with plants for both water and nutrients. ✿ If you go on holiday, arrange for someone to water your planted pots and baskets. Move them into a cool, lightly shaded position where they will dry out less quickly. ✿ Remove spent blooms from roses, bedding plants and early flowering perennials to encourage further flowers. ✿ Summer prune trained fruit trees and thin out heavy crops. Tidy up early strawberries and peg down ‘runners’ to form new plants. ✿ Harvest maturing crops regularly to ensure a succession. Similarly, keep cutting and dead-heading sweet peas to ensure further flowers. Buddleia WATER-WISE Tip Help the lawn through dry spells by mowing less closely. Set the mower blades high and leave the clippings on the surface to aid moisture retention. Grass is resilient and will soon recover from the effects of drought so unless it is a new lawn, watering is not really worthwhile. Rainfall averages for August have been low in recent years so careful use of water is even more important than ever. Vegetables and fruit ripen in response to summer sunshine, and family barbecues can be enjoyed on warm evenings. ✿ Take cuttings of fuchsias, marguerites, penstemons, and other tender or unreliably hardy perennials. Root them in pots of compost placed in a shaded greenhouse or cold frame. ✿ Plant autumn-flowering bulbs as soon as they are available - all being well, the earliest of them will be in flower within six weeks. ✿ Trim back profuse new growth of pyracanthas (firethorn) to reveal the clusters of ripening berries. ✿ Prune rambler roses as they finish flowering and tie-in new shoots. Summer prune wisterias by shortening long side growths to about 15cm (6 in). ✿ Sow winter flowering pansies in pots or trays placed in a shaded cold frame. ✿ Remove faded flowers from roses, annuals and perennials. Keep an eye out for greenfly and other pests - treat accordingly. ✿ When ripe, collect seed of many perennials. Sow it immediately or store it in envelopes for sowing next spring. WATER-WISE Tip Water plants thoroughly until they are established. Do this in the evening or early morning to minimise water loss through evaporation. Directing the water at the roots, pour on a little, let it soak in, then pour on some more, repeating the process so that the soil is thoroughly and deeply saturated. An occasional thorough soaking - allowing the soil to dry out in between - encourages strong, deep roots and greater drought tolerance. Michaelmas Daisy Warm, sunny days often continue well into September and beyond, but cooler nights can bring the first tints of autumn. Rainfall usually increases this month, so preparation for autumn planting can be carried out. ✿ Plant daffodils, crocus, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs (except tulips which are best planted in early November). ✿ Cut out fruited canes of summer raspberries and tie in strong new shoots. ✿ Prepare ground for autumn planting by digging in plenty of well-rotted organic matter such as garden compost. ✿ Plant up pots and hanging baskets with bulbs, heathers, winter pansies, ivies, primroses and other plants which will provide autumn and winter colour. Mix water-storing granules with the compost. ✿ Consign spent annual bedding plants to the compost heap and plant wallflowers, forget-me-nots and other spring flowerers in their place. ✿ Sow lettuce, carrots and radishes to mature under the protection of cloches. Plant spring cabbage. ✿ Prepare and sow or lay new areas of lawn using seed or turf. Keep it well watered during dry periods until it is well established. Apple WATER-WISE Tip Bath, washing-up and other household waste water (collectively known as ‘grey’ water) can be re-used on the garden. Avoid water containing strong detergents such as that from the washing machine, although laundry rinsing water is fine. If not used straight away, it can be stored in water butts. Keep grey water separate from rainwater and do not use it on young seedlings. As we proceed through autumn the risk of frost increases, so tender and unreliably hardy plants must be given protection. Shortening days, cooler weather and reduced light levels trigger the fall of leaves from deciduous trees and shrubs. ✿ Tidy herbaceous perennials, composting dead stems and leaves. Those which have decorative seed-heads can be left for winter effect. ✿ Protect plants which are susceptible to winter damage by applying a thick mulch to the base, erecting a windbreak or wrapping with bubble polythene or hessian. ✿ Sweep up fallen leaves and put them to good use on the compost heap. ✿ Rake, spike and top-dress the lawn with an autumn lawn food. Re-seed badly worn patches. ✿ Lift gladioli corms and dahlia tubers. Dry off and store them in a frost-free place for the winter. ✿ Remove shading and insulate the greenhouse with an inner layer of bubble polythene. Check that heaters are in good working order. Provide gentle heat as the nights get cooler. ✿ Geraniums, fuchsias and other tender perennials should be lifted from the garden and given a frostfree winter home. WATER-WISE Tip Autumn is one of the best times for planting; the soil is still warm - encouraging continued root growth - but the weather cool and damp, so plants establish much more readily with the minimum of watering. Prepare soil by incorporating plenty of organic matter and a little fertiliser. Thoroughly soak the root-ball and after planting apply a 5-7.5cm (2-3 in) thick mulch to further retain moisture. The cool damp conditions typical of November are ideal for planting, although a sudden spell of freezing weather can call a temporary halt. This is a time for tidying the garden and preparing it for the winter onslaught. ✿ Insulate plants in containers, especially evergreens, by wrapping around the pot with bubble polythene. This will prevent the roots freezing. ✿ Clean and oil garden tools and arrange for mowers and other garden machinery to be serviced as necessary. ✿ Weather permitting, plant trees, shrubs, roses, conifers and fruit trees in well prepared soil. ✿ Wash and sterilise used pots and seed trays to prevent the potential spread of disease. ✿ Take hardwood cuttings of fruit bushes and many flowering shrubs such as forsythia and weigela. ✿ Sow hardy broad beans under cloches and place straw around un-harvested root crops to prevent frost damage. ✿ Reduce the frequency of lawn mowings and raise the height of the mower blades, giving the final cut of the season this month. Pyracatha (firethorn) berries WATER-WISE Tip A water butt attached to a down pipe from the house, greenhouse or shed roof will collect and store rainwater which will prove invaluable in the spring and summer. If possible, site it in a shady place and keep it covered to prevent the growth of harmful organisms. Two or more water butts can be linked together and there are many useful gadgets which can be used to divert water into them. Plummeting temperatures and drying winds not only cause damage to plants but are inhospitable to all but the hardiest of gardeners. Winter flowering shrubs bravely show their faces and tender plants will need all the protection you can give them. ✿ Carry out winter digging of the vegetable plot incorporating plenty of organic matter. Leave the surface rough to allow frost and rain to break down any lumps. ✿ Regularly check stored fruit, vegetables, begonia corms and dahlia tubers. Remove any which show signs of rotting and ensure that conditions are dry and cool, but frost-free. ✿ Keep bird tables well-stocked and, during freezing weather, provide water as well. ✿ Put up a wind-break to protect newly planted conifers and other evergreens. Use fine mesh which will filter the wind and reduce water loss through the leaves. ✿ Winter prune apple and pear trees. ✿ Lift root crops before soil freezes and store in trays of sand in a frost-free shed. Cloche peas and beans against harsh weather. ✿ When weather permits, carry out garden maintenance and repairs. Plan and construct new features. Holly WATER-WISE Tip The addition of generous quantities of well-rotted organic matter (humus) will significantly aid moisture retention and improve soil structure as well as providing valuable nutrients. Well-rotted manure, leaf-mould and garden compost are all excellent and will also improve the drainage of heavy soils. Most plant material and organic kitchen waste can be composted very successfully in an aerated container. Bristol Water’s Area of Supply THORNBURY GLOUCESTER AND SHARPNESS CANAL PURTON M5 TETBURY AVONMOUTH BRISTOL PORTISHEAD CLEVEDON WESTONSUPERMARE SEVERN ESTUARY BARROW RESERVOIRS BLAGDON LAKE CHEDDAR RESERVOIR BURNHAMON-SEA WELLS GLASTONBURY BRIDGWATER STREET SHEPTON MALLET KEYNSHAM M32 CHIPPING SODBURY M4 BATH CHEW VALLEY LAKE MENDIP HILLS FROME Bristol Water has been supplying good, clean water for over 150 years and currently serves more than a million people. Area of supply 2,391 square kilometres Number of supplies 475,000 Length of mains 6,382 kilometres Population served 1,066,000 Average daily supply 300 million litres Sources 68 (including reservoirs, rivers, springs, wells and boreholes) Raw water reservoirs 14 (the largest, Chew Lake, can hold 20,460 million litres) Treatment works 18 (output ranges from 0.79 million litres/day at Priddy to 165 million/day at Purton) Pumping stations 164 Covered storage 140 (the largest, Pucklechurch, reservoirs can hold 115 million litres) If you would like information on any aspect of our business please contact Corporate Affairs on 0117 953 6470. Bristol Water plc, PO Box 218, Bridgwater Road, Bristol BS99 7AU. Tel: 0117 953 6470. Fax: 0117 953 6471. Internet: http://www.bristolwater.co.uk.