Hosepipe Ban

Just in case you didn’t know there is a hosepipe ban coming up. Millions of people throughout the North West of England are to be affected. United Utilities have warned that about seven million of their customers will be affected. The reason given is because of the longest heatwave weather conditions we’ve had since 1976.

If you remember I wrote an article on the “Summer of 76” – for those that remember that mega summer, here’s the link again – Summer Of 76

Hosepipe Ban

Hosepipe Ban

This hosepipe ban, known as a “Temporary Use Ban”, will be introduced on Sunday 5th August. Make a note of that in your diary folks.

The ban will affect Frodsham, Helsby, Ellesmere Port and parts of Chester. Worth noting that this only applies to United Utilities customers. Many parts of Chester are supplied by Hafren Dyfrdwy – formerly known as Dee Valley Water. Hafren Dyfrdwy do not have any plans for a hosepipe ban.

However, they do advise caution and they do provide water saving advice on their website – take a look HERE.

A hosepipe ban is bad news for gardeners to a large extent. So, what can you do to ensure you avoid falling foul of the hosepipe ban and still keep your garden looking good?

Gardening Tips

As great as the clear skies and warm weather seems like the recipe for a perfect summer, the heat can impact our gardens negatively.

So how do you keep your garden looking its best during a heatwave:

Here’s a few snippets (no end to my talents is there!!!!)

1/ Focus your watering on newly planted garden plants.

2/ Avoid watering in the peak of the sunshine hours. Instead give plants a much-needed slurp in the evening. This will enable plants to have time to drink up the water before the heat of the following day.

3/ If you wait for the heat to subside and water plants in the evening you will ensure that not only will they retain the water for longer, but also that they will absorb it overnight when temperatures are slightly cooler.

4/ What about potted plants? Where possible move potted plants into the shade for periods of the day.

5/ Or for beds and borders in extremely hot weather, why not create a shade of your own. For instance, use a beach umbrella or parasol.

6/ Keeping plants away from direct sunlight can prevent them from yellowing, and will also help prevent any water in the soil from drying out before reaching the plant.

7/ When watering add water retaining gel to the compost of patio pots when planting. This step will reduce watering requirements. Aquagel sachets are brilliant for pots, baskets and containers.

8/ Where to water? You should aim to water directly at the base of plants. Not over the top. This will ensure the water is directed to where it is needed.

9/ For really parched lawns, why not keep your grass a bit longer rather than mowing it. Lawns that start to turn brown will usually turn green again once rain return.

10/ As well as mowing less frequently you should also consider raising the blade heights to reduce the stress on your lawn.

Bear in mind that during a hosepipe ban you will only be able to use watering cans, or similar.

11/ You could stand container grown plants on saucers of water. If it does get excessively hot, move container plants into the shade.

12/ Water thoroughly but less frequently. Instead of a little and often.

13/ For border plants – water them well and then apply a thick mulch of organic matter to help retain the moisture in the soil.

Who Is Affected By The Hosepipe Ban?

The ban applies to domestic customers only. And as mentioned only applies to United Utilities customers.

What if you ignore it and give your hosepipe some serious action? Initially, United Utilities will give a warning. If offenders persist, United Utilities could prosecute and impose a £1,000 fine.

Although we have had a bit of rain recently, reservoir levels are still lower than expected at this time of year. The weather forecast is that we will enjoy a return to hot, dry weather. So, unless there is significant, sustained rainfall before 5th August (I hope not!!), the reservoir levels need to be safeguarded as much as possible.

The ban restricts the use of hosepipes and sprinklers for watering domestic gardens and for private car washing. Watering cans and buckets are fine however by the way.

Plenty of notice for when the hosepipe ban begins on 5th August. Let’s hope our gardens don’t suffer too much and we all get to enjoy more of this lovely weather.

Enjoy the sun everyone.

For More Information on Chester and Chester Lifestyle

If you wish to know more about the beautiful city of Chester and Chester Lifestyle –  click HERE

Things To Do In Chester

There is always plenty of things to do in Chester. For some further information and to give you some ideas of places to visit – take a look HERE.