The world seems to be getting drier, we're having a lot more droughts and the inevitable hose pipe bans aren't going to go a way. 

Nobody likes having to water their entire garden by hand, it takes time, energy and lots and lots of water.

If budget is not an issue then the most efficient way to get water to your plants, at the right quantities in the right place is irrigation! We've been doing it since the romans, so it must work. However, there are lots of other options that are less costly - if you so choose.

Saving water is not only a financial saving, time saving and energy saving - it is also vital for the environment. And after all, that's the most important!

Best things to collect water in and how

Roofing collection

The best and most sustainable way to collect water is to collect it from the roof of a building that already exists. Whether it be your house, a shed, a pollytunnel or a greenhouse if the building is already there then collecting water gets easier. Simple guttering will allow for you to direct the water down into a container rather than it spilling onto the floor or into your building! 

Containers of choice

• IBC's - Best found used on EBay / Facebook marketplace or gumtree you can pick up old IBC's that have been used to store food products, give them a wash and they're good to go! Much cheaper than buying new and better for the environment. 
• Old council bins - Most councils will allow you to have old bins from them if you ask, they're great for collecting water and are useful for dunking watering cans into. Although, if you're short they're not the best for bending down into to get the last bits. 
• Water buts - Typical standard water butts can be picked up second hand, but don't tend to be very cheap and can only be used really with a tap into a can; they're not great for dunking. 

What to do with the water when you have it

Avoid water waste

• Watering at the roots only is ideal for not wasting water, if you're watering around the plant it will evaporate before the roots can get it! 
• Scoop trenches around your crops, so that the water can pool around them and slowly soak into the ground and towards the rood.
• Create a water collection area in the ground like a tube / plant pot / bottle funnel so you can water down into the ground and direct the water at the roots.
• Place old terracotta pots in the ground, fill them with water and put a lid on them. They will act as a cheap Olla and the plants will drawn the water through the pot. This will mean you will need to water less. 
• Mulch mulch mulch. If you mulch around your plants then the water will be less likely to get evaporated in the sun and your ground will stay moist for longer. 

Plant feed

We have found it really useful to use homemade feeds such as comfrey tea and weed fertiliser directly in the water, that way we do not need to remember to put in in our cans when we need to feed. With this method we use less feed, so we don't over feed, as we'll be feeding every time we water. 

It's a brilliant method if you're forgetful, but bear in mind that all your water containers will STINK! 

Covers

Many people put covers over their water to stop leaves and debris falling in. This is really important as if you water gets full of leaves the tap or your watering cans will get blocked. No flow no water. This is also important for ensuring that no animals fall into the water and cannot get back out!