Waste of water in the garden
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
From Mr Roger Backhouse
Sir: The sad aspect of the water shortage ("Sunshine turns heat on water supplies", 29 June) is that much of the water used on gardens is wasted through incorrect methods of watering and cultivation.
Many gardeners use a 'little and often' approach to watering, which wets the surface but provides nothing for the deeper soil. Water is wasted through evaporation and plants fail to develop sufficient deep roots to reach moisture lower down, They then become dependent on the top levels of soil for moisture, making even more watering necessary.
Vast quantities of garden and kitchen waste are thrown away each year by gardeners. Yet if composted and added to the soil, moisture retentiveness increases by at least 25 per cent, representing a large saving in watering.
Many garden plants are of Mediterranean origin and are well able to withstand summer drought. Surprisingly, most lawns will also recover after a dry spell.
Unfortunately many gardeners fail to recognise this and continue their habitual outing with the hosepipe - the consequence being unnecessary water shortages.
Yours sincerely,
Roger Backhouse
Chair
East London
Organic Gardeners
Ilford
29 June
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments