We won't waste water, will we?

This is a dry spring (so you've noticed?). We've got used to wet weather over the past couple of years, but it's not normal for this part of the UK and we often have long spells of dry weather.

It's tempting to reach for the hose. But about 95% of water hosed onto our allotments is totally wasted and, so far from not even doing any good, does actual harm.

This wouldn't matter if water was free. The fact that we don't pay for it by the gallon doesn't mean it doesn't cost us. THE BILL FOR THE WATER FOR THE ALLOTMENTS IS MORE THAN ALL THE MONEY WE PAY IN RENT. You noticed your rent went up this year. Want to know why? Wasted water is a huge part of the answer.

No 'lovely weather for ducks' jokes this spring! It's back to normal with dry sunny weather for Kent.

So how is 95% of the water wasted? Because it never reaches the roots. Spraying water from a hose wets only the very surface, and in dry weather that just evaporates straight off. You might as well pour it down the drain for all the good it does.

But surely it can't do any harm? Wetting the surface of the soil creates a caked 'pan'. Seedlings find it hard to push through this and you will see poor germination. Wetting the surface draws the roots of established plants up to the top, rather than encouraging them to go deep and seek the water still in the lower levels of soil. Shallow roots don't anchor the plant well, they are less efficient at extracting valuable minerals (which you have washed out of the top of the soil) and they are vulnrable to drying out of you relax the watering regime for a moment. Too much water on the soil damages the structure, making it harder to cultivate and less hospitable to roots.

If we carry on wasting water the way we are, the council will inevitably be forced to bring in measures to restrict its use. This will affect everyone, but those who are currently using far more water than they need will of course feel it most.

Experienced gardeners like Tony Fagg, our longtime Show Secretary, do hardly any watering - only newly planted cabbages and suchlike. They know that the plants will root deep to find the water down there. If we get a real drought, put the water on in cans - without a sprinkler!!! Two cans full poured straight on the roots of a row of plants will deliver real water where it is needed, soaking in to the lower levels and lasting the plants for ages. To check this for yourself, try filling a 7 litre can from your hose. See how long it takes? See how little water your hose is actually delivering when you spray it around? Hmmmmmm.

For clever tips on making the most of water and saving yourself a lot of unnecessary work, go to our advice page USING WATER WISELY