Helping your garden beat the drought

Homebase  |  Press release

With a hosepipe ban looming across the south east, Homebase is turning its attention to how we can help your garden thrive in dry conditions.

From 5 April heavy restrictions will be in place for people living in east and south east England, prohibiting them from using mains water through a hose pipe, or similar equipment, for any domestic activity.

However, this doesn't necessarily mean your garden has to suffer and it can still be your beautiful oasis this summer. There are lots of ways you can not only collect water, but also use different techniques to make your garden drought tolerant during the dry spell. Homebase garden buyer, Tony Kersey, shares some tips to make the most of water and keep your garden looking healthy.

• Store your water - whatever rain we do get make sure you take advantage of with a water butt. The slimline water butt kit - which includes the barrel, lid, tap, stand and downpipe diverter - takes up very little room and holds up to 100 litres. The Hozelock water butt pump also allows you to use your hose with the water butt.
• Manage your water - using a portable water device enables you to control the amount of water you use. Try the Hozelock 5l porta shower, which provides the function of a watering can, but with added water pressure.
• Make the water last longer - using water storing gel saves and stores up to 90% of the water you normally use, as the gel slowly releases water to the roots. Try mixing water storing gel, available from Homebase, in various ranges, in with your plants - this is ideal for hanging baskets.
• Consider drought tolerance when purchasing plants - having hardy plants in your garden, such as shrubs and herbaceous plants, will keep your garden looking fresh and requiring less watering once established. Suggestions include the Verbena bonariensis and Vinca minor which will bring colour, vibrancy and butterflies to any garden.
• Help your plants last longer - compost is a great water retainer and ideal for vegetable plots. The more you plant into your soil the more water you will have retained, plus you'll improve the quality of your soil every year. Try our various moisture control composts.
• Protect your plants from weeds - if you want to create a gravel garden, use landscaping fabric to limit the amount of water that weeds and self-seeding plants steal from the roots of your plants. Try the Ground cover 12m x 1m.
• Pick the right type of lawn - using shady lawn seed that is designed to require less watering than other seeds is ideal for drought conditions. Use various ranges of the Qualcast shady lawn seed.
• Keep your soil as wet as possible - mulch on the ground surface prevents evaporation from the soil, providing increased moisture retention. Some lawnmowers now have mulching plugs that return fine grass cuttings back onto the lawn's surface. Have a look at our Qualcast electric and petrol lawnmowers in-store.
• Don't panic - the impact of the hosepipe ban is due to a lack of winter rain so stocks are low for wide household and garden use. However, long-term weather predictions should still see summer rain, which will allow plants to thrive over the summer.

Customers can visit www.homebase.co.uk to view over 2,000 garden products and can also reserve and collect their products before picking up in store.

-ENDS-

Notes to News Editors
For more information contact Media Relations:
Tel: 0845 120 4365
Email:pressofficer@homeretailgroup.com

About Homebase
Homebase is one of the UK's leading home enhancement retailers selling over 38,000 products for the home and garden. It has more than 340 large, out-of-town stores throughout the UK and Republic of Ireland serving over 65 million customers a year, and a growing internet offering at www.homebase.co.uk
In the financial year to February 2011, Homebase's sales were £1.6 billion and it employed some 19,000 people across the business.

Homebase is part of Home Retail Group, the UK's leading home and general merchandise retailer.

Back to news