No iffs, just a lot of butts

20/06/2007

A truck load of water butts has been donated to an allotments society in Hornchurch to encourage gardeners there to become more water-efficient.

Essex & Suffolk Water has donated 15 water butts to the Hornchurch and District Allotments and Gardening Society for use by its 400 members.

The butts will be distributed at key locations throughout the allotments.

Bill Flintham from the society said: “We are very pleased with this donation – the water butts will be well used.

“We are trying to be more water-efficient and these butts are a great way for us to do that.”

Claire Bishop from Essex & Suffolk Water added: “Rainwater is better for plants than tap water and is easy to collect in a water butt. Gardeners can capture rainfall all year round by placing a water butt by sheds, greenhouses and conservatories. 
“We are pleased to be able to help the plot holders to be water-efficient gardeners through the use of these donated water butts”

Other water-wise tips for the garden include:

• Water plants in the evening to retain moisture in the soil.
• Create a ‘reservoir’ or depression in the ground around the plant to prevent the water running away.
• Don’t over water a lawn as this encourages roots to grow close to the soil surface which will then be more susceptible to drought and dry periods

Ends

For further information please contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.