How to conserve water while caring for your summer garden

Whether you're a gardening beginner or expert, Irish Examiner columnist Peter Dowdall has the answer to your questions

Swap hoses for a watering can. Using a garden hose for an hour is the equivalent to the average supply for a family of four for two days under normal circumstances. Picture: iStock

Summer proper has arrived and with it, surely the talk of hosepipe bans won’t be far behind. Plants and the garden are forever the poster boys of water wastage when it comes to periods of low rainfall and water restrictions. 

In reality, there are many other reasons that Irish reservoirs run low. However, making small changes can not only help save water but these changes will also reduce surface runoff and flood risk, promote healthier soils that store more carbon, and create stronger, more climate-resilient gardens.