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Ten Top Tips on how to conserve water in the organic garden

Mulch on comfrey beds
Mulching helps to reduce
moisture loss
  1. Mulch the soil surface with materials such as leafmould, grass clippings, sheets of newspaper, straw, composted bark chippings, which will all help to reduce moisture loss and suppress weeds. Apply when the soil is moist and has warmed up and the plants are established. Water if soil is dry before laying down the mulch.
  2. Remove weeds; they will be in competition for water resources with the plants/vegetables you want to grow.
  3. Windbreaks are good for sheltering plants from drying winds.
  4. Shade seedlings in hot weather.
  5. Digging increases water loss from the soil, particularly in dry hot weather.
  6. Increase the water-holding capacity of the soil, by digging in organic matter such as compost or leafmould. Organic matter as a mulch will reduce water run-off.
  7. Watering early morning and late afternoon will reduce loss of water through evaporation.
  8. Apply water directly to the soil, not plants.
  9. Collect as much rainwater as possible by using water butts.
  10. Soak plants well if you are watering. Check that the water has penetrated down into the soil, not just the surface layers.

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